Cosalts cradle reduces fatalities

The Jason’s cradle man overboard retrieval system supplied by Cosalt Safety & Protection based in Grimsby, UK, is claimed to help reduce the number of rescue fatalities at sea because it retrieves people horizontally from the water and is simpler for crews to handle during emergencies.

By retrieving a casualty horizontally in the cradle, there is less chance of circum rescue collapse (a cardiovascular condition that is greatly aggravated by hypothermia). In simple terms, the longer a person has to be lifted vertically, the greater the threat of heart and blood circulation problems in a person whose temperature is reduced by exposure. Horizontal recovery reduces the effect of gravity on the impaired blood circulation.

Jason’s cradle products are SOLAS approved and carry MCA certification for EC MED (Marine Equipment Directive). The US Coastguard has also accepted Jason’s cradle as a life saving appliance. Guaranteed against manufacturing defects for three years, the rungs are manufactured out of a highly durable maintenance free black UV resistant plastic called Delrin. These are joined by polyethylene couplers and linked vertically with 316 marine grade stainless steel links and rods.

The product is now being put to good use by many different organisations including navies, coastguards, rescue operators, oil companies, ferry operators, tug owners, fishing vessels and dive operators. Its modular design means it can be adapted to suit all types of vessel, whether for MOB retrieval from a standby vessel, a fast rescue craft, an enclosed lifeboat or from a floating stretcher and is simple to launch and operate, even in rough conditions.