Home
Archive
- Recent News
- Recent Features
- 2008
- 2007
  - January
  - February
  - March
  - April
  - May
  - June
  - July
  - August
  - September
  - October
  - November
  - December
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
Directory
Jobs
Maritime Events
Editorial Guide
Advertise
Circulation
Subscribe to the print edition

Submit Story

Send us your news...

Get Email News

Subscribe NOW

Get the print edition

Safety, Survival & Training

Swedes Satisfy Rescue Needs of Offshore Wind Power Industry

01 Jan 2007

The consent given last month by the British Government for the world�s largest wind farm to be built in the Thames Estuary further validates the arrival of the offshore wind power industry as a valuable contributor to the battle against global warming and for the security of energy supplies.

A rescue scenario at an offshore wind turbine tower, with the helicopter hoisting an RIAB rescue stretcher.

The industry is working to very high standards in the construction, installation and maintenance off offshore wind turbines with regard to the safety of the engineers and technicians working on the towers. In helping the emerging industry to prepare for any eventuality, Sweden�s Rescue International AB (RIAB) has adapted a multifunctional floating rescue stretcher for SAR helicopter hoist which it originally developed at the request of and in cooperation with The Swedish Defence Materials Administration, Armed Forces Medical Centre. The Trelleborg based company�s Wind Power Stretcher (WPS) is based on their Euro-Stretcher 2000/V and can be deployed to hoist with its occupant in a horizontal or vertical position.

The multifunctional WPS stretcher has a telescopic function enabling steplessly variable length and is equipped with two rolling wheels integrated in the shell, four integrated telescopic carrying handles and grab handles all around.

It is equipped with a complete security system which includes securing belts for the occupant, a body strap and a Personal Floating Device (PFD). An anti-spin device prevents the WPS from spiralling as the patient is hoisted to the helicopter.

The lightweight WPS is strong and buoyant, resistant to heat and chemicals, and requires minimal maintenance. In addition to helicopter applications, it can be hoisted up to and lowered down from the top of a wind turbine tower to a rescue craft in the water below.

MJ Information No: 22613

Images for this article - click to enlarge

Related products

For more information on products mentioned within this article visit

Rescue International (RIAB) AB