Pioneering Products
From heavy gauge PVC to airflow technology. We’ve come a long way since lifejackets were offered with only oral inflation as an option and while lifejacket technology has developed hugely, the need to produce lifejackets that people will want to wear has remained unchanged. Crewsaver celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2017.
Crewsaver Lifevest
Crewsaver’s 1959 Lifevest may seem a world away from lifejackets available today. For example, it was inflated by the wearers themselves using a ‘non-returnable mouth inflator’ and the recommendation was that you partially inflated it before wearing! The brochure also suggests it ‘can be worn either over or under sailing clothes’, a point on which advice has completely changed. However, dig a little deeper and you find that this product has echoes of the features that make Crewsaver lifejackets enduringly popular. The design offered the user ‘complete freedom of movement’ and a loop adjustment on the back strap meant that the lifejackets could fit ‘any sized person’ - benefits that can also be found in Crewsaver’s newest lifejackets, the Fusion 3D range
Crewsaver Seafire 1970s
Crewsaver’s commercial credentials were built on products like the Seafire. Designed for offshore work, and to comply with the Department of Trade’s requirements for offshore lifejackets, the Seafire was also pioneering in terms of its design. It was unique at its time in that it was a dual chamber lifejacket that offered automatic inflation of both chambers. Its front panel was made with a fire resistant material making it ideal when welding or working in high fire risk areas.
Crewsaver Crewfit 1980’s
1984 saw the launch of Crewsaver’s iconic Crewfit, the world’s first gas operated air-only lifejacket. The styling and shape revolutionised lifejacket design and proved enduringly popular. It quickly became the benchmark for design and function of lifejackets not only for the leisure user, but also became the lifejacket of choice for many rescue services, defence operatives and commercial organisations.
A key feature of the Crewfit was the positioning of the buoyancy chambers which keep the central body area free from obstruction. The whole design is very compact and once used, rearming and re-packing is a simple job requiring no tools, making it a very economical and user-friendly safety product.
The Crewfit, which has now celebrated more than 30 years of history, was the result of four years development by Crewsaver. Many of the key concepts and the philosophy behind the Crewfit have influenced the design of Crewsaver’s lifejackets today.
Crewsaver Crewfit 2000s
After more than two years of testing and refining, Crewsaver, with its Crewfit 190N Advanced lifejacket, introduced to the world its first ergonomically designed bladder. The Crewfit 190N Advanced, which was tested by Alex Thomson during the final design and development stages, offered an unrivalled level of protection to the wearer. The unique inflation bladder featured dual asymmetric lobes to provide faster in-water turning performance. The 150N rated bladder outperformed the existing approval and offered 190N worth of buoyancy. This increase in buoyancy, combined with an overlapping design, overcame the issues encountered by the wearing of heavy waterproof clothing which can trap air and hinder the turning capability of the lifejacket.
ErgoFit Range 2010s
With ErgoFit, Crewsaver challenged the market again; launched in 2012 the range introduced new Fusion 3D technology. Fusion 3D creates lifejackets that are moulded to the shape of your body and sit off the neck, giving the user total freedom of movement. Lifejackets so comfortable you forget you’re wearing them. Class leading buoyancy, fast turn speeds and the unique cutaway design, all set the ErgoFit range apart.
Fusion 3D Next generation 2014
In 2014, 30 years after it was originally designed and manufactured, Crewsaver’s Crewfit range had a makeover. Using the same Fusion 3D technology that was developed with the ErgoFit range, Crewsaver added to its complete lifejacket range with new lifejackets including the Crewfit 165N Sport and Crewfit 180N Pro. Affordable, 3D designed lifejackets with a focus on Crewsaver’s core values of comfort, style and performance. With this product, Crewsaver opened up the market making comfortable Fusion 3D-designed lifejackets accessible.
HIGH PROFILE DESIGN INFLUENCE
1997 - the RNLI collaborates with Crewsaver to produce the first generation bespoke lifejacket for its lifeboat crews
2008 – Alex Thomson tests the Crewfit 190N Advanced lifejackets in the final design and production stages, creating a lifejacket that is tailor-made to the needs of racing sailors ahead of his first Vendée Globe campaign
2014 – Ian Walker gives his input into the design of the ErgoFit Extreme. This was the lifejacket worn by the Abu Dhabi Ocean Race team in the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race, which, skippered by Ian, they went on to win. Ian’s input resulted in custom-designed, comfortable lifejackets that the team wanted to wear. As the lifejackets were individually adjusted to each user, it was key that the team could easily find their own kit, hence the practical additions of team numbers to the lifejackets, and hanging loops so they could be hung up and easily found below deck (read our Q&A with Ian Walker on pages 1 and 2)
2015 – Artemis Racing appoints Crewsaver as its Technical Supplier and works with Crewsaver to develop the new ErgoFit 50N EX buoyancy aid and Artemis Racing BA2. Key developments resulted from the team’s input; for example the addition of body armour and attachment points for spare air - all of which are available to consumers
2017 – Crewsaver is appointed Official Safety Provider to the 35th America’s Cup