Public Funding for JFD Limited

JFD's commercial diving expertise and engineering facilities enable the production of a diverse range of diving products such as suits, helmets and masks. Its popular range of diving helmets are available in two configurations, one utilising a balanced demand regulator to control gas flow at depths up to 450 metre sea-water (msw) for saturation diving, the other being a free-flow air helmet designed to be used with its own neck seal or locked into a dry-suit and rated down to 50 metres for air diving. In both instances, when sufficient breathing gas is supplied to the helmet, the internal noise level of the helmet exceeds that allowable for a useful dive duration as specified in the HSE Noise at Work Regulations. Until these noise issues are resolved, JFD is unable to sell either specification helmet to countries in the European Union, thereby significantly limiting their revenue potential. In most workplaces excessive noise is normally attenuated using ear protection, typically worn for the duration of the job. However, during diving operations ear protection compromises communication with the diver, and in saturation diving can also present a hygiene hazard. Additionally, in both helmets ear protection alone is insufficient to eliminate the noise problem altogether. Moreover, within HSE guidance, ear protection is viewed as the second or third choice to preventing hearing damage with definite preference given to engineering-out some of the noise. This project will investigate how the respective designs of the helmet and its connections to the umbilical may be optimised to reduce the sound pressure levels the operative is subjected to. Initially, the current helmet configurations and gas flow will be modelled to map out its acoustic dynamics, identify the hotspots and establish a baseline for improvements. Following this, new design solutions will be systematically modified and modelled, within an agreed set of constraints, to reduce the level of noise below the legal limits. The scope of the work may also include investigating the benefits of passive noise dampening (e.g., padding added to the helmet) if modification of the gas flow path alone proves insufficient to reduce noise to an acceptable level. The resolution of this noise issue will allow recommencement of supply for this popular range, and will deliver its users a more comfortable working environment, allowing for longer / more productive dives and, allowing these products to once again realise their full market potential.

A project team led by REAPsystems Ltd, is developing an innovative modular hybrid marine propulsion system targeting the small commercial vessel market for vessels. The proposed novel system offers significant savings in fuel consumption, engine power rating, weight, emissions, noise and vibrations. This industrial research project will span 3 years and cost £1.315M. Technology development and integration will be undertaken by REAP, Babcock International, Mainstay Marine, SEC Marine, the University of Southampton and James Fisher Defence. Lloyds Register will assess battery system safety. ASV Ltd, and Marine Conservation Research will provide access to vessels for integration and at sea testing. Marine South East will facilitate stakeholder and public engagement. Revenues for the project partners are estimated at £20M at 5 years. The potential cost savings to the marine industry are £6.5M and the emission reduction is estimated to be 30,000 tonnes of CO2. All figures are per annum.