FLOTATION & SALVAGE DEVICES

FTA manufactures a range of marine flotation devices that are designed with safety in mind – more often than not, when a vessel has placed a distress call and is sinking, the occupants ‘jump ship’, not realising that in most cases, the vessel is found before the occupants. With this in mind, FTA offers a full range of flotation devices that can help eliminate the risk of a vessel sinking, and ensures the safety of the occupants on board. Furthermore, should a vessel sink, FTA provides a comprehensive range of the highest quality inflatable salvage equipment to gain access to the sunken vessel, return to the surface, and investigate why the accident occurred and what can be done to prevent the same issue occurring again.

Y SERIES FLOTATION BAGS:

The Y series is designed to fit both small and large vessels and instead of relying on a flimsy life raft or dingy equipped with the minimum of survival equipment and gravely endangering life, occupants can stay with the vessel. The units are stored inside the vessel usually under the bunk cushion storage area. In an emergency the Y series bags are inflated by the connected air cylinder/s maintaining the buoyancy of the vessel. The units are supplied with a self opening valise, relief valves, repair kit, and a yoke and hose assembly for diving cylinders. A reusable bag, the FTA Y series flotation bag can also be used externally as a hull bag, and is especially useful in sand bar lifts. The bags are attached together surrounding the vessel. Once the required lifting weight is calculated, the bags combined lifting weight safely raises the stranded vessel from its hold, allowing it to move to deeper waters. This is also a useful application for allowing deep draft yachts access to shallow ports rivers and canals around the globe.

Standard lifting capacities of 750, 1000, and 1500kg are available. The natural positive/negative displacement of the vessel should also be taken into consideration before determining how many floats would be required to keep the vessel above water.

SALVAGE/LIFTING BAGS:

FTA also manufactures enclosed cylindrical lift bags, which are used by salvage operators, military operators, and boat owners to prevent the loss of craft, as well as the recovery of craft. FTA’s cylindrical lift bags are ruggedly constructed and are fitted with manual or automatic relief valves, and provide a perfect solution to shallow water lifts as well as different towing operations

Features of our enclosed cylindrical lifting bags:

• High quality 900gsm PVC fabric OR 1200gsm polyurethane fabric available;
• Each bag is rated to safely carry weight on 4:1 ratio, meeting most worldwide maritime standards for lifting ability and performance;
• All bags are manufactured using only the latest in hot air and high frequency welding;
• Each bag is stringently pressure tested and inspected before dispatch to check integrity of the finished product
• FTA can supply fittings as standard item, or custom designed to suit existing machinery and vessel operations – all fittings are standard 316 stainless steel;
• FTA have been manufacturing flotation devices for the Australian Navy (see below) since 1986, delivering the highest quality to the toughest users of our products anywhere in the world;
• 100% Australian made and developed

Standard lifting capacities are available in 1,000, 2,500, 5,000 & 10,000 kg models. Very heavy lifts can be achieved by creating a mani-folding system where a large number of flotation devices together.

CABLE FLOATING SYSTEMS

FTA’s cable floating systems are a made to order item to help with the movement of cables and other products of a great length across widths of water (dams, lakes, rivers etc) where a tension system will not perform. Each bag’s lifting weight is determined by the length (taking into consideration the weight of the cable per metre) and diameter. Once this has been determined, each lifting bag required is then fabricated to the exacting specifications to ensure the lift does not fail.

H2450 AIRCRAFT FLOTATION BAG

FTA has designed a helicopter flotation bag that is designed for the recovery of ditched helicopters by naval departments around the world. Crew and/or divers deploy the H2450 to the ditched helicopter, bringing it to the surface. Not only does this save valuable machinery, but it also provides an invaluable tool in investigating why an accident occurred and what measures can be taken in the future to ensure the threat to pilots and passengers can be minimized. Supplied as a self fit item, the bag is fitted in an opening valise for ease of transportation, and is manufactured with two air chambers to ensure a failsafe operation.

FTA has been supplying these quality bags since 1986, and is now an officially recognised Australian Defence Force supplier based on FTA’s excellent levels of service, quality control, and performance in the field. FTA is very proud of this recognition from the ADF, and now use manufacturing specifications developed in the manufacturing of H2450 float bags across all products manufactured.

Please contact us today to discuss all of our variety of flotation devices.