UK Port Trials Zelim’s SWIFT Recovery System for Enhanced Maritime Safety

The Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) in the UK has recently equipped a 19-meter pilot vessel with Zelim’s SWIFT man-overboard recovery conveyor for a three-month trial to evaluate its effectiveness in high sea states. The Port of Milford Haven, situated in Pembrokeshire, Wales, often faces challenging sea conditions due to its location and exposure to Atlantic swells. The SWIFT system, which received Lloyd’s Register Type Approval in June 2024, is a conveyor belt system attached to a rescue craft that quickly retrieves individuals from the water.

Following a successful technology demonstration on the River Forth in Scotland last year, where multiple ‘casualties’ were recovered in under a minute, the SWIFT system was retrofitted onto the Picton pilot vessel. Andy Tipping, Zelim’s Business Development Director, noted that the trials have shown promising results, with the Picton vessel testing SWIFT in 2.5m swells, the most challenging sea condition encountered so far. The MHPA aims to enhance operational safety for its crews and pilots while ensuring rapid recovery of individuals in the water, especially in harsh maritime conditions.

The MHPA’s Assistant Harbourmaster, John Warneford, emphasized the importance of the trials in understanding how SWIFT can improve operational safety and support the swift recovery of individuals in challenging maritime conditions. If the trials prove successful, SWIFT may be integrated into a series of 22-meter pilot boat newbuilds currently under construction. The first of these new vessels, being built by Netherlands-based Next Generation Shipyards, is expected to be delivered to the MHPA in 2025. This initiative reflects the MHPA’s commitment to leveraging innovative technology to enhance maritime safety and operational efficiency.

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