Fredrik J. Eriksen, Director of Sales at Norwegian survival equipment developer Hansen Protection, may not have a personal maritime search and rescue (SAR) background, but living close to the ocean has profoundly influenced his life. From a young age, the local fjord has been his sanctuary, a place where he could recharge his batteries.

"This lifelong proximity to the water has instilled in me a deep respect for the sea and a great admiration for the dedicated professionals and volunteers who work tirelessly to enhance safety on the water. Their efforts are truly commendable," Fredrik said.

With a legacy dating back to 1877, Hansen Protection specialises in designing and manufacturing advanced survival suits and life jackets tailored for various work and niche applications.

Hansen Protection is deeply committed to the safety of SAR professionals at the heart of their work. This commitment is demonstrated through their longstanding partnerships with professionals in the field. The demands for survival suits and accessories for SAR personnel are incredibly high as they are the ones on the front lines saving lives. One partnership that Hansen Protection is especially proud of is with the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (RS), through which they provide suits, lifejackets, and other equipment for both permanent and volunteer crews.

Hansen Protection goes beyond simply meeting the standard when it comes to survival suits and life jackets. Their SeaSwim and SeaRescue concepts offer flexible options with suits designed for full freedom of movement and breathability. 

The company pays attention to functional details like pockets and minimal double fabric areas to ensure comfort and efficiency. With a local production line, they can deliver equipment swiftly, and their presence in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom ensures a wide reach. For example, Hansen Protection’s Crewsaver brand serves a large UK SAR organisation with customized life jackets, which are also serviced annually at their Gosport facility.

Hansen Protection works with maritime SAR organisations as partners, not just suppliers. This approach allows them to deeply understand customers' needs and leverage their extensive experience to deliver the best possible equipment.

"Our enduring partnerships with organisations such as RS, the Danish Sea Rescue Society (DSRS), the French National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM), and various entities in the UK showcase our dedication to supporting SAR operations. One noteworthy project entailed providing rescue swimmer kits to over 180 fire stations in Norway for their first responders, illustrating our global influence on professional organisations," he stated.

Crucially, Hansen Protection, alongside its Survival One and Crewsaver brands, have long provided products to IMRF customers and participated in IMRF events. 

“Our admiration for the IMRF community and its dedication to sea safety made joining a natural decision. As members, we hope to deepen our connections and continue contributing to the incredible work.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to all IMRF member organisations for their tireless work enhancing sea safety and saving lives. Your experiences are also invaluable to us in our continuous efforts to improve our equipment,” he concluded.