RNLI choose Pnu-Era Shock-Flow seating
Park It Here Products Ltd announce a new manufacturing partnership to upkeep the RNLI!s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat fleet with their unique and patented shock mitigating cushion seating system - Pnu-Era Shock-Flow.
Under the EU "Vibration Directive (2002/44/EC)!, operators of high speed marine vessels now have a legal responsibility to protect their crews, employees and passengers against the harmful effects of shock and vibration during operations at sea. In response to this directive, the RNLI has elected to fit proven shock mitigating seating alongside existing crew training, fitness and education programs to fulfil their duty of care to their volunteer crew, staff and trainers.
Pnu-Era Shock Flow cushions have provided the solution with a revolutionary pneumatic seating structure designed and developed by Park it Here Products and manufactured by SeaSafe Systems Ltd, the new, licensed manufacturing partner. SeaSafe Systems Ltd was selected to manufacture the air cushions and heavy duty seat covers utilising their extensive expertise in the high frequency welding of lifejackets.
After its earliest inception used in a child car seat – the Travel Angel – the Pnu-Era shock mitigation technology was later tested under controlled and monitored MOD mine blast conditions. The results exceeded expectations and proved that Pnu-Era shock mitigation technology compared very favourably to the preferred suppliers of existing speciality designed mine blast seats. This prompted the approach to the RNLI to utilise the same technology to address the problem of Whole Body Vibration on their fleet of Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats.
Holly Phillips, Principal Naval Architect at the RNLI said “The safety of our volunteer crews, who willingly put to sea when most other vessels are seeking shelter, is of paramount importance to our charity. Hence the risk of exposure to damaging shock and vibration is greater than the average commercial or recreational boat operator. In addition, making changes to existing assets, part way through their design life can be a challenge and extremely costly. However, with the safety of our volunteers being one of our core values, we developed a solution that provided improved protection but was not cost prohibitive. We are proud of the outstanding reputation we have for crew training and safety and since 2014 our Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat crews have been benefitting from the improvements we have made to the seating by incorporating the Pnu Era Shock-Flow inflatable bladders. The improved seating has reduced exposure to Whole Body Vibration by up to 25%.”
The technology employed in the lightweight Pnu-Era Shock-flow cushion system, has applications not just for the Marine industry but across other sectors such as Automotive – commercial and private vehicles, Military vehicles and Aerospace.
The design, specifically for the RNLI, was developed by Park it Here Products Ltd with extensive RNLI testing. Following the testing in rigorous and independently verified sea-trials carried out by the RNLI, the new marine seating system has recorded a significant reduction in the effect of seat accelerations on crews. The RNLI seats are extremely lightweight, strong and are a direct replacement to existing inshore lifeboat seats so there is no requirement for a change of the existing deck or console layout.
Importantly the Pnu Era seating has been designed to be highly durable in the marine environment with an extended lifecycle verses foam cushions. It is resistant to fuel and oil, is 100% waterproof and totally recyclable.
Simon Dickinson, CEO, Park It Here Products commented: #The RNLI's Engineering Office set us a tough challenge to tackle the problem of "Whole Body Vibration! on board their fleet of Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboats. After successfully developing a prototype incorporating the proven shock mitigation system and passing rigorous static and dynamic testing, we are delighted to be able to licence SeaSafe Systems Ltd to deliver the Pnu-Era pneumatic cushions for the Atlantic 85s remaining new build and refit program. These seats offer considerable cost and weight savings compared with existing alternative, suspension seating systems.”
This collaboration has opened up new opportunities for Park It Here Products Ltd, with the securing of MOD seat contracts, manufactured by Seasafe Systems Ltd. For more information please contact:
Simon Dickinson
Managing Director
Tel: + 44 (0) 1723 367501
Mob: + 44 (0) 7886 366776
Email: info@parkithereproducts.com