Natural Resources
June 26, 2013
Provincial Government Investment Supports Province’s First Shore-Based Hyperbaric Reception Facility
To support improved safety and response to diving emergencies in the offshore industry, the Provincial Government has provided a non-repayable contribution of $500,000 to Sea-Force Hyperbaric Inc. for an emergency shore-based Hyperbaric Reception Facility. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, made the announcement at the grand opening of the facility this afternoon.
“We are pleased to invest in infrastructure which expands economic development opportunities, and provides additional safety support services for the local oil and gas industry,” said Minister Hutchings. “This strategic investment in state of the art technology totals $500,000 and will expand expertise and further encourage investment in the growing manufacturing, fabrication and service industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The Hyperbaric Reception Facility is a portable facility which provides medical support and a safe environment for individuals diving offshore by providing a secure, pressurized environment for divers during the decompression period.
“This expansion of safety service capabilities increases capacity and will help support the growth of the offshore service and supply sector in our province,” said the Honourable Tom Marshall, Minister of Natural Resources. “Safety in the offshore is of paramount importance to our government and this new facility provides additional measures of protection for divers and support services for industry which is essential.”
The facility will be used on stand-by in support of offshore saturation diving off Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as International markets.
“Sea-Force Hyperbaric’s Reception Facility is one of 10 or 11 in the world and one of only a few that has been engineered for portability,” said Barry Hynes, Director with Sea-Force Hyperbaric Inc. “The support provided by the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development has been instrumental in bringing this state of the art, world class technology to Newfoundland and Labrador and has provided the potential to export our services to other offshore international markets.”
Sea-Force Hyperbaric Inc. includes associated companies Sea-Force Technologies and Sea-Force Diving Limited. Sea-Force Diving Limited has been working in inshore, near-shore and offshore diving operations since 1996. As a commercial diving contractor specializing in underwater work, the company employs more than 20 staff and divers.
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Media contacts:
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Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
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Jim Hynes Director Sea-Force Hyperbaric Inc. 709-753-2021 |
2013 06 26 12:35 p.m.