Researchers develop life-saving workwear for fishermen

The scientists plan to incorporate a wireless ‘dead man’s handle’ that will stop a small one-man fishing vessel if its only crew member falls overboard. The same device will also include an alarm that will transmit the boat’s position.

The project, dubbed Safe@Sea, started last year and will run until the end of 2012. It is being coordinated by Norway’s SINTEF research group and project managed by textile manufacturer Helly Hansen Pro.

‘We will map the needs and wishes expressed by European fishermen regarding the workwear, and physiological and ergonomic tests in the laboratory and the field will help to ensure that the clothing will have the functionality and comfort that will meet these demands,’ said SINTEF physiologist Hilde Færevik, who is leading a team made up of two industrial designers, an engineer specialising in biophysics and a materials scientist.

Wireless ‘man overboard’ systems capable of stopping small one-man fishing vessels if the fisherman falls overboard, and that also trigger an alarm and indicate the vessel’s position, are already being manufactured by Norway’s Sisyfos.