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Launching New Kit to Help the RNLI Save Lives at Sea – The Gear is Here
September 03, 2018
2 min read
This spring, we were proud to announce our partnership with the UK and Ireland’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to help save lives at sea.
Today, the excitement is growing as we hand-deliver our first official, all-weather lifeboat crew kit to RNLI volunteers. Today’s rollout will start with Tower Lifeboat Station in London – the charity’s busiest of its 238 stations.
It’s been over 20 years since RNLI did a full upgrade to their kit, and the pressure is on for us to deliver gear that will not only perform, but last. Therefore, we’ve put our hearts into creating the best possible gear for these volunteer heroes. Specifically designed to allow greater freedom of movement, this new kit provides better endurance levels and comfort for RNLI crew members. It’s considerably more breathable and lighter than the kit it is replacing, and using a technical layering system, it will ensure crew members are kept warm and dry when they’re out saving lives, in even the harshest conditions.
Since 1824, the crews and lifeguards of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution have saved over 142,200 lives.
The customised kit comes in a wide range of sizes, tailored to fit male and female crew members individually. Adapted from our award-winning offshore Ægir Offshore Collection, the new RNLI kit features advanced technical upgrades such as women’s specific tailoring and drop-seat, reinforcements at the jacket hems and trouser knees and seats, ultra-waterproof 4-ply and 5-ply material, and the use of Helly Tech® Professional double ocean composite membrane. These developments are a result of the extensive research and development with professionals around the globe, including Team MAPFRE from the most recent Volvo Ocean Race.
Throughout the development of the kit, we’ve worked closely with RNLI to ensure the professional-grade gear will meet the demanding needs of the volunteer lifeboat crews. This has included extensive blind testing trials with more than 60 volunteer crew members before the partnership was agreed and announced. Specific adaptations were incorporated into the design based on real-life feedback, producing the final set of official RNLI all-weather lifeboat crew kit.
We are both proud and humbled by the serious nature of supporting those who willingly help others in their time of need.
As well as the new all-weather lifeboat crew gear, we will also supply corporate uniforms and lifeguard kit for RNLI staff. For more information about the RNLI and the charity’s fantastic work, please visit RNLI.org
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