HANSEN PROTECTION KEEPING SALVATION ARMY SAILORS WARM AND DRY

Norway’s Hansen Protection, a brand of global Survival Technology provider Survitec, is donating an array of personal protection equipment to the Salvation Army in support of its Frisk Seilas (Fresh Sailing) project, an initiative set up to provide sailing lessons to those struggling with life.

Hansen Protection’s subsidiary Lyngsoe, in Denmark, supplied a number of wind and waterproof coveralls to ensure former drug users and other marginalised groups remain warm and dry as they learn how to safely sail the waters around Moss, Norway.

The donation follows the supply in June of lifejackets and immersion for the Salvation Army’s Colin Archer ship, Cathrine Booth II.

Knut Erlend Hjorth-Johansen, project leader of the Salvation Army's “Frisk seilas” programme, said: “We are immensely proud of the success of this programme and thank Hansen Protection for its very generous donations. “During and after drug treatment can be difficult to find new arenas and social networks. Frisk Seilas offers a safe environment with a focus on sailing, unity and mastery. It’s about giving those that need help the network and support they need to rediscover a drug-free life. We see how much this means to them. It is hugely beneficial to the individual but also has enormous benefits for society at large.”

Frisk Seilas is based on the beautiful island of Jeløy, Moss, and is offered through the Salvation Army in cities along the Oslofjord.

All the sailors in Frisk Seilas get a permanent place on a team from April to November. Training, provided by Knut Erlend Hjorth-Johansen and former national team coach, Jan Steven Johannesen, follows a six-level syllabus designed to give the "land lubber" the skills they need to become competent, competitive sailors.

Teams from various cities in Oslo and the surrounding area receive instruction in regatta sailing on a weekly basis.

Terje Gorm Hansen, Chief Executive Officer, Hansen Protection, said: “We are pleased to support this important project. There is evidence that social gatherings and physical activities, such as cycling and sailing, can help those with intoxication and psychiatric backgrounds battle addiction. Fresh Sailing is a very worthy endeavour to help former addicts remain drug-free. They have a lot of fun on the sea.”

The Salvation Army's substance abuse care programmes helps all those with addiction problems and bad life experiences, such as homelessness and abuse.

About Hansen Protection

Hansen Protection, a Survitec brand, is a market-leader in wearable Survival Technology and boat canopies. Based in Norway, the company’s pioneering immersion suits are trusted by major operators in the commercial maritime, search and rescue and offshore energy sectors. With an origin tracing back to 1877, Hansen Protection has over 140 years of developing excellent customer relationships, as demonstrated by its outstanding Net Promoter Score of +73. Hansen Protection’s immersion suit manufacturing facility is located at its headquarters in Moss and is supported by 36 approved service stations across 18 countries.

www.hansenprotection.no

About Survitec

Survitec is a global leader in survival and safety solutions to the marine, defence, aviation and energy markets. Survitec has over 3,000 employees worldwide covering eight manufacturing facilities, 15 offshore support centres and over 70 owned service centres. It is further supported by a network of over 410 3rd party service centres and distributors. Survitec has received Z-17 approval as a class-approved service provider from seven major classification societies, and also has ISO 9001 certification, the international standard for quality management systems. Throughout its 160-year+ history, Survitec has remained at the forefront of innovation, design and application engineering and is the trusted name when it comes to critical safety and survival solutions.

www.survitecgroup.com