Centrica First to Upgrade to Survitec's Tri-Approved Immersion Suit

Centrica Storage is the first offshore operator to have upgraded its personnel protection with Survitec’s new Tri-Approved Immersion Suit. It is estimated approximately 3,500 personnel per year will wear the suit during helicopter transits from Humberside Airport to the Rough Gas field in the Southern North Sea.

Personnel flying out of Humberside began wearing the new suit in April, as a result of a new contract awarded by the gas producer in October 2018. 

Designed to exceed European standards, the new immersion suit is approved for both aviation and marine transfers as well as for constant wear. It also has an abandonment option which offers cost efficiencies with a five-year service regime. Centrica has recently installed the suit on the Rough Gas platforms for abandonment purposes.

Alastair Carnie, Senior Sales Manager, Survitec, said: “Survitec is dedicated to delivering a proactive management of all safety equipment.  By utilising our latest product technologies, such as the Tri-Approved immersion suit, we can provide assurance to the offshore industry’s workforce that safety is a priority.”

The new suit has been designed specifically for the offshore sector to provide the ultimate protection for personnel. With exceptional in-water performance and cold-water survivability, the protective suit incorporates a flame-retardant material providing optimum protection against fire. The suit has a range of features including improved “breathability”, abrasion resistant panelling and stronger metal zip fasteners.

Helicopter transfers to offshore rigs in the North Sea must be carried out in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements. The suit is approved to EASA standard ETSO 2C503, as well as EC Marine Equipment Directive, International Maritime Organization SOLAS, and CE Personal Protective Equipment standard – ISO 15027:2012.

The immersion suits are being supplied as part of an all-encompassing maintenance contract, which consolidates Survitec’s existing offerings and will see the servicing and recertification of all Centrica’s life-saving appliances and fire-fighting equipment by a Survitec safety technician, dedicated to the Rough field. 

Survitec’s safety technicians will form part of Centrica’s core crew, performing a range of key safety related roles including the inspection and testing of the Rough Gas platform’s lifeboats, liferafts, lifejackets, abandonment suits, lifebuoys, portable fire-fighting equipment, breathing apparatus, eyewash stations and grab bags. 

Carnie said: “Survitec’s complete portfolio of safety equipment and maintenance services affords the optimum safety solution for Centrica.”