Aberdeen, UK – August 30th, 2021 – Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FET) today announced that it has delivered two of its emergency life support store (ELSS) pods to the Hellenic Navy. The contract, which marks FET’s first supply to Greece’s naval force, will see the business manufacture the two pods at its facility in Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire, UK.
ELSS pods are pressure-tight storage vessels used by naval units as part of a submarine rescue system. In the event of a submarine crew becoming stranded below sea, FET’s ELSS pods are able to deliver life-preserving materials such as medical equipment and supplies to the crew until a full rescue can be deployed.
FET has a successful track record of supplying equipment and vehicles to the global defence market, most recently delivering its highly advanced submarine rescue vehicle (SRV). The vehicle was built to meet the most up-to-date industry standards and is classed by Lloyds Register.
The company’s ELSS pods are designed to be nominally 10kg negatively buoyant in seawater, which enables them to be delivered to the distressed submarine by a swimmer, an atmospheric diving suit (ADS), a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or the rescue submersible itself.
Comprising a cylindrical pressure vessel with a removable end cap, the pods are manufactured from aluminium and coated with yellow Xylan. This delivers a resilient solution for deck handling and deployment, even in harsh environments.
The removable end cap, which is constructed from aluminium alloy and fitted with a stainless-steel lifting handle, also features a pressure equalizing valve to ensure the cylinder is not under or over-pressurized before being opened.
Kevin Taylor, FET’s Vice President – Subsea Vehicles said: “Submarine rescue operations are complex, safety-critical missions with the safety and wellbeing of those onboard the distressed vessel always of the highest importance. The innovative design of the pods allows them to be utilised across a wide range of missions.
“FET has supported military organisations and naval forces for more than 45 years and we have a strong understanding of the industry’s needs. Our ELSS pods are manufactured to meet the strict efficiency and reliability specifications required for crucial rescue operations. We are proud to be delivering this leading technology directly to the Hellenic Navy.”
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Issued on behalf of Forum Energy Technologies by Gillian George. For more information, please contact [email protected] or +44 (0)1224 211045.
Notes to Editors:
Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. is a global oilfield products company, serving the subsea, drilling, completion and, production sectors of the oil and natural gas industry. The Company’s products include highly engineered capital equipment as well as products that are consumed in the drilling, well construction, production and transportation of oil and natural gas. FET is headquartered in Houston, TX with manufacturing and distribution facilities strategically located around the globe.