Stormy Seas at Sydney Boat Show
by John Nanscawen on 25 Jul 2007
Stormy Inflatable Life Jacket doing what they do best Michele Ferguson
The Stormy inflatable clothing concept was developed out of sheer frustration at the loss of lives in the professional fishing industry because the only available life jackets were bulky, uncomfortable and impractical to wear while working.
Stormy Australia introduced a range of great looking easy to wear clothing style inflatable life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFD’s) incorporating a CO2 activated inflation system. When activated the garment in an instant transforms into a personal flotation device (AS1512 PFD Type 1).
The Stormy slogan, ‘worn not stowed’ says it all. A life jacket or PFD in the locker is as useless as an unbuckled seat belt.
Garry Schipper (better known as Skip) is a veteran of many Sydney to Hobart yacht races (twice on the winning boat) and has competed in most of the great international regattas.
It was in the 1998 Sydney to Hobart, in horrendous conditions and at night that the boat was knocked down by a huge sea and Skip went overboard. He was not wearing a life jacket but was saved by the fact he was carrying a torch, his presence of mind, superb seamanship by has shipmates and a good measure of luck.
Since that time Skip has never been to sea without his Stormy PFD.
Hear Skip's story at the Sydney International Boat Show. He will be on stage and will explain and demonstrate inflatable life jackets, emergency flares, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBS) and other commonsense safety equipment.
Meet Skip on the Stormy Australia stand no. 342
Life jackets save lives. In 2006 Stormy life jackets contributed to the saving of 16 lives (that we know of) throughout southern Australia.
Excerpts from real dramas at sea.
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