VIKING Launches World’s First Immersion Suit For Women In Offshore Industry

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a maritime safety solutions provider, has launched the world’s first immersion suit designed specifically for women working in the offshore wind industry.

Named the YouSafe Cyclone for Women, this new Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) suit has been developed to meet the safety and comfort needs of female engineers and technicians operating in harsh offshore conditions.

This suit has been created in close collaboration with leading offshore wind companies, including Ørsted, Siemens Gamesa, and Vestas.

The YouSafe Cyclone stands out for its female focused design. Unlike traditional suits that often fail to fit women properly, this suit features a shorter torso, wider hips, and a reshaped chest area.

These adjustments improve mobility, reduce the risk of snagging on offshore equipment, and provide better comfort while climbing towers or stepping between platforms.

Made from high-visibility, breathable GORE-TEX® NARVIK material, the suit ensures that users remain clearly visible and protected from extreme weather.

It is certified to SOLAS/MED and CE/ISO standards, the same as the male version, guaranteeing full compliance with industry safety requirements.

Additionally, the design features include neoprene cuffs and neck seal for added insulation, retro-reflective piping for visibility in low light, and multiple pockets for storing tools.

The suit also includes integrated braces that secure the pants and allow free leg movement while climbing it.

It is compatible with all standard offshore harnesses and includes a maintenance-free zipper for easy use.

The YouSafe Cyclone is available in multiple sizes and fits a wide range of female body types. It is designed for women working as seafarers, pilots, and offshore technicians across the marine industry.

The suit’s launch follows increasing attention to gender-specific personal protective equipment (PPE) in the offshore wind sector.

According to the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Offshore Wind Sector Deal, the industry aims to ensure that at least one-third of its workforce is made up of women by 2030.

In 2018, women accounted for just 16% of the workforce.

A representative from Vestas said that providing the right PPE is not just a matter of safety but also of making sure that all workers feel valued and heard.

Before its launch, the YouSafe Cyclone was tested by female offshore workers during trials held in Liverpool, UK.

VIKING’s design team collected feedback from the women and used it to refine the suit before conducting further offshore testing.

The Global Sales Manager for Offshore Wind at Viking said that the project was successful because it brought together companies that prioritised safety and inclusion over competition.

Reference: Viking life

Source: Maritime Shipping News