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The maritime solutions provider has hosted the dignitary at its national headquarters.
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Lord Ian Botham OBE, the UK’s trade envoy to Australia, has visited JFD Australia’s facility in Perth to observe the company’s submarine rescue system.
As part of his visit, which was organised by the British High Commission, Lord Botham explored the inside of the submarine rescue vehicle, which is used to transfer the crew of a disabled submarine safely under pressure to the ocean’s surface.
The vehicle is part of a fully integrated system, which includes a hyperbaric equipment suite, capable of providing life-saving medical treatment to submariners.
“It was a privilege to host Lord Botham and to talk with him about the service we have provided to the Royal Australian Navy for the past 15 years and the many ways in which Australia and the UK can work together in the future to keep the world’s submariners safe, wherever they may be,” Cathy Falkiner, managing director, JFD Australia, said.
Lord Botham was joined by British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia-Pacific, Louise Cantillon, as well as senior members of the UK Department for International Trade.
The group also toured JFD’s advanced production facility, where they met the JFD team and inspected specialised diving and rebreathing equipment designed to keep defence personnel safe underwater.
“JFD holds contracts with some 80 nations and 30 navies and safety will always be our highest priority,” Falkiner added.
“To be able to demonstrate this commitment to Lord Botham and his delegation was a real honour and we look forward to welcoming him again in the future.”
Earlier this year, JFD Australia’s submarine safety capabilities were put to the test for the 10th consecutive year, with the firm participating in the Royal Australian Navy’s latest Black Carillon exercises off the coast of Western Australia.
The exercise involved a series of scenarios that replicate a real-life submarine emergency, including several shallow and deep-water dive rotations to test JFD’s system.
The system includes a miniature submarine rescue vehicle, a transfer-under-pressure chamber to bring submarine personnel safely to the surface, and a hyperbaric equipment suite used for immediate treatment.
The capability enables a crew of up to 60 personnel to be treated at the same time if required.
[Related: JFD puts subs rescue capability to the test ]
