The overall winner of the DAME Awards-the awards organized by Mets, the marine accessories fair held in Amsterdam-is a life jacket. It is produced by TeamO Marine Safety Products and it is a life jacket that aims to raise the safety level of the wearer. The strength of this product is its ability to keep the person in distress, who should wear it at sea, in a position higher than the water level while floating. This feature makes it more complicated for water to enter the mouth of the wearer of the vest.
TeamO ‘s jacket features
The TeamO Offshore 150N Hi-Lift lifejacket has a buoyancy of 150N, but the manufacturer claims it compares easily to a “normal” 275N lifejacket. But what is abnormal about this vest? It is a very state-of-the-art personal protective equipment designed for marine professionals facing challenging conditions, but most useful for everyone who goes to sea. It is distinguished by its advanced technical features, first and foremost the integrated harness that allows quick and secure attachment to the safety lines on board (a crucial element while sailing in adverse weather conditions). Let’s see what it is, however, that makes this vest extremely distinctive. The buoyant (inflatable) area, according to the manufacturer, is “wasted” above the waterline in traditional vests, so he decided to distribute it more in the part of the vest below the water. In this way, the person wearing the vest remains in a more upright position, with the mouth further from the water surface, thus avoiding breathing and inhaling – dangerously – water mist. Comfort and functionality were also central to the development of this product. The ergonomic design ensures freedom of movement, while high-quality materials ensure durability and resistance to wear and tear. Visibility in an emergency is enhanced by reflective elements and an integrated warning whistle. TeamO Marine has also paid special attention to ease of use: the vest features an automatic inflation system that is activated upon contact with water, offering immediate protection in the event of a fall overboard.
