ISP showcases new liferaft range on board historic Liverpool schooner Kathleen & May
Leading maritime safety product firm ISP has showcased a new range of Duarry Challenger liferafts on board one of Liverpool’s most historic vessels. The UK firm – which is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of marine inflatable life jackets – welcomed more than 50 guests to an international open day aboard the Kathleen & May, in Liverpool’s Albert Dock, Polaris reported.
It saw live demonstrations with Duarry’s revamped range of liferafts being deployed overboard. ISP is the official UK distributor of Duarry Challenger liferafts and is responsible for sales, service and spare parts.
Spanish based Duarry has redesigned its entire range of SOLAS approved liferafts – including Throw Over Board (TOB), Open Reversible (ORIL) and Davit Launched (DL) models.
The event attracted visitors attending the city’s International Festival for Business 2014 and the British Maritime Federation annual conference as well as ISP’s clients and contacts.
ISP commercial director Geoff Billington said the 113-year-old vessel provided an entirely unique setting to display the firm’s broad range of maritime safety products.
He said it further highlighted ISP’s growing relationship with the Kathleen & May which is Britain’s last remaining three-masted top-sail schooner.
Duarry managing director Juan Fargas said the new liferafts benefitted from a more uniform container design, making storage easier on board vessels.
ISP’s turnover is in excess of £7million. It employs around 115 staff in its main facility in Bootle with additional facilities in Birkenhead. Its full product range was on display during the open day including ISP’s own brand of Challenger lifejackets as well as Intrepid Immersion Suits and Hansen Protection Suits – used to aid survival in the harshest of maritime conditions.
Other products on show – for which ISP is the sole UK distributor – included Ocean Signal’s range of marine electronics and Alcares marine lighting. Adding to the portfolio were Seamate HRUs (Hydrostatic Release Units), which play a crucial role ensuring liferafts float free from sinking vessels.
The ship was built at Connah’s Quay in Deeside and attracted interest from the Far East with an offer of £2.3m, when plans for the sale were announced. It is one of the few operational sailing vessels on the National Historic Ships’ Register of 50 core vessels. Since being relocated in 2010 from Bideford, Devon, to Liverpool the tall ship has had a high profile berth by Mersey Maritime Museum in Canning Dock. The Kathleen & May worked around the Irish Sea until 1961 and is now used across the country for educational workshops.
Polaris Media Management based in Liverpool and Manchester is a British PR firm specialising in maritime, engineering and manufacturing.
