to design, construction standards and materials selection. It’s not for everybody and we want to back it up with something more accessible that will benefit more people, like our Meris jacket and salopette, which we’re redesigning for launch in spring 2025.’ The third product introducing Mustang Survival to the European market is the Atlas 190N lifejacket. The company’s first ISO-certified lifejacket was on Time magazine’s Best Inventions 2024 list, won a Red Dot award for innovative design and the DAME jury gave it a special mention in 2023 too. Atlas was designed from scratch
be used in the mid-latitudes more, maybe the 600-mile type races for people who are very active. It offers incredible dry protection, but you don’t need the hood, collar or extra length. The dry top’s extra length is for when you’re on a wet deck, on the rail trying to protect yourself as much as possible. You want the collar pulled up and the hood cinched down.’ EP also features two systems
called Magic Chain Link and Magic Lock. Both are a type of bolt-rope concept, to make the hood removable and the salopettes straps adjustable. ‘People’s watch systems change, their roles adapt, they can pull the hood off and stuff it in a pocket. For the pants, it’s tough to make five sizes fit the whole world. Our previous version had hook-and- loop (Velcro), which was bulky and would catch on the tricot liner, other layers, longer hair. We were trying to think of a low-profile solution to those negatives and Magic Chain was the best solution.’ Many will be drawn by the allure
of professional-grade kit but the more pragmatic also have the Meris range, designed for coastal and offshore use. ‘We don’t produce a lot of EP, but it shows that we know what we’re doing when it comes
Top: the EP 6.5 Ocean gear has had some serious sea-trialling, not least by Cole Brauer in last year’s Global Solo Challenge. Above: Scott Shawyer has set his sights on the 2028 Vendée Globe, with support from Mustang Survival
by UK product manager Nigel Parkes, whose understanding of lifejackets and enthusiasm for them is both infectious and impressive. ‘Comfort was our primary goal. We wanted to create something that can be worn all day, and nobody would know that they’re wearing it. It’s really supple, which makes it easy to put on but also really comfortable over the shoulders and the collar sits far from the back of the neck. We have very lightweight anodised
aluminiumbuckles, which interlock easily, and the tabmeans it’s easy to fasten and release, even with gloves on. Sailors are very conscious of the snagging points on the back, particularly if you’re sitting on the rail when a tack is called.We sculpted the back so it’s really flat.We’ve also tested a huge number of PLBs with this product and it works for every single one. It also fits a PLB3, which is a combined 406 and AIS.’ Part of its award-winning appeal is
the ADAPT system (Advanced Airway Protection & Turning), which is all about the interaction of the lobes. ‘Modern sailors wear very buoyant trainers, so you end up floating with the back of your head in the water. What you need is a lot of buoyancy behind the head to lift your head out of the water to stop it cooling.
‘For self-righting, the separate
lobes create inverted instability and they’re totally symmetrical so it doesn’t matter which way you turn, the buoyancy moves and that means you spin quickly. Your feet act as a drogue so the wind and waves are coming towards your face, and these lobes block everything. The neck systemis also adaptable, the bigger the collar you have or themore clothing you’re wearing, the wider the neck can go. The sprayhood keeps you really well protected without covering the light or the PLB. Also, if you take it off and throw it backwards, it sits just behind the head where you need it to be, rather than floating off and filling with water. ‘Going to market with something
super comfortable, lightweight and that gives you the performance you need, is really important. At shows it’s quite rewarding to get people in and say “Just put this on for a minute. I’m not forcing you to buy it, you can try any other product you like, but just wear it”. Once they have it on they’re sold.’ Cole is a fan too. ‘It's so light
and comfortable, easy to grab and throw on. And that's important because sailors are more likely to put it on and keep it on than if it's uncomfortable, bulky and restricts movement. Mustang Survival put in all the design work to make the Atlas 190 the best possible lifejacket on the market, the one sailors want to wear. I have tried it in a pool, and it doesn’t choke or wrap tightly around the neck. It’s much more comfortable than others I tried, better by a long shot.’ With the roster of big names
endorsing this brand and the way it goes about its business, one senses that early European adopters of Mustang Survival kit are likely to be very pleasantly surprised. And any company that has a seahorse as its logo is fine by us.
www.mustang-survival.co.uk ❑
SEAHORSE 59
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