Award-winning Spinlock responds to commercial sector demands

Spinlock will be launching two new products at the show – the Fluorescent Deckvest DURO and the Pro-Tech. They will also be entering the Pro-Tech into the Innovations Award at the show, having previously been winners of the Safety Category in the Spirit of Innovation Awards at Seawork 2016 with their Lume-OnTM LED lights.

The new Deckvest DURO has been developed in response to increasing professional demand from commercial marine users, as more sectors of industry now requiring their staff to wear lifejackets or have lifejackets available for their Personal Protective Equipment regulations and assessments.

Spinlock Deckware Manager Myles Uren said: “Until now commercial marine lifejackets have not been designed for continuous or comfortable wear. This means that despite marine professionals spending long hours in their lifejackets, the lifejackets have typically been heavier, more cumbersome and unnecessarily tiring to wear. We have challenged this convention with the new Deckvest DURO, as the design reduces the impact on the user so they can stay alert and safe while at work.”

The addition of the fluorescent material of the new DURO improves visibility of wearers and offers a practical solution when a lifejacket and a hi-visibility jacket or bib is required in the work place.

The DURO is designed for daily use by marine professionals in a wide-range of fast changing conditions and provides a fully specified personal flotation with all the benefits of Spinlock’s intensive lifejacket development and ocean testing. The addition of the fluorescent material of the new DURO improves visibility of wearers and offers a practical solution when a lifejacket and a hi-visibility jacket or bib is required in the work place.

The innovative product forms part of the Deckvest range that was recently selected as a winner of the 2017 Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards that celebrate and encourage business excellence. Winners must have demonstrated outstanding results in their respective fields of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity.

Explaining how the Deckvest has changed the landscape of the market for personal safety products used by those on the water, Spinlock’s James Hall comments: “With no significant technical or aesthetic change in lifejackets for over thirty years, we decided to develop the Deckvest – a completely new personal lifejacket that is attractive and comfortable to wear; a revolutionary move and step-change in lifejacket design.”

The development of the Deckvest and continuing year-on-year increase in demand for the product has had a very positive effect on the business, as CEO Chris Hill explains: “Due to the success and popularity of the Deckvest, Spinlock has been able to grow exports to 25 countries across the globe, add new market sectors and has seen a 20% increase in employment at our two sites in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.”

This is the second Queen’s Award Spinlock have won, having been presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade in 2016 by the Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness enjoyed a guided tour of Spinlock’s production facility and met with staff during his visit.

Chris Hill adds: “The continued success of Spinlock reflects a truly dedicated and talented team. They are a passionate group of individuals who really understand the market; many of them are keen sailors and this unique insight helps them develop and design products that are truly innovative.”

DURO features:

* 170N & 275N buoyancy options

* Automatic inflation (manual available)

* Ultra lightweight lifejacket

* Extra durable cover materials

* Straps with soft rear moulding reduces twisting and aids adjustment

* Double crotch strap with recessed clip reduces risk of snagging

* Clipping area for PLB / VHF

* Branded printing available

* Attachment point for Chest Pack and Tool Pouch

* Attachment for kill cord or VHF leash

* Optional Pylon™ lifejacket light

* Optional Sprayhood

* Compatible with Lume-On™ bladder illumination lights

* CE Approved

* ISO12402-2 approved lifejacket

The Pro-Tech is a heavy-duty polyester coated cover for Spinlock lifejackets and provides a resistant barrier for dirty industries where contaminants such as paint, oils and chemicals can quickly damage a lifejacket. The Pro-Tech is held in place with magnetic closures and Velcro to keep it in place over the lifejacket, it then bursts open on inflation of the lifejacket underneath. It also provides some protection against sharps that can compromise lifejacket bladders and offers a low-cost solution to prolong the lifespan of a lifejacket.

Visit Spinlock at Seawork International 2017 on stand PG147.

By Jake Frith