
SOS Marine has announced that the Sea Scoopa ocean rescue apparatus has been selected for an exhibition at the Australian Powerhouse Museum.
The Australian designed and manufactured Sea Scoopa was selected as a finalist in the recently-held Australian International Design Awards.
Sea Scoopa is a compact man-overboard recovery system designed to save lives at sea while minimising harm to both the rescuer and the victim.
The Sea Scoopa has three components. Firstly, it has a scoop-shaped net to securely capture the victim while the rescue vessel is moving at one to two knots and hence manoeuvrable in a difficult seaway. Secondly it has a series of lifting handles on the net which create a "parbuckle" and give a 2:1 mechanical advantage to the rescuers as the person is rolled up the side of the vessel. Third is an integral stretcher into which the victim is rolled at the gunwale.
Man overboard is a time-critical emergency and the manufacturer says that in most situations the Sea Scoopa can pluck the victim from 'sea to stretcher' in the medically-indicated horizontal posture within two to three minutes.
The Sea Scoopa has been tested by the Royal Australian Navy and given a NATO Stock Number. In addition it has been certified by NATA to RAN lifting standards for loads up to 300kg.
Designed in Australia by Intensive Care Medicine Specialist, Professor Bob Wright who has over 40 years of ocean experience, the Sea Scoopa is manufactured by SOS Marine.