Boating Business | COVID-19: Sailcloth as protective clothing

COVID-19: SAILCLOTH AS PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

HOMENEWSINDUSTRY NEWSCOVID-19: SAILCLOTH AS PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

03 Apr 2020

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The UK Sailmakers gown prototype modelled by Clare Hayes Photo: Afloat

INDUSTRY DATABASE

UK MCWILLIAM SAILMAKERS LTD

Sailmaker Barry Hayes and his UK Sailmakers firm in Ireland are using their skills to make protective equipment for local healthcare workers helping to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

The firm, based in Crosshaven, has suspended its usual operations and instead will deploy its sail making skills to make protective clothing.

“Hopefully we can help in any way we can,” said Claire Morgan, UK Sailmakers’ director. “The sailing season is basically down the toilet. We have to hang tough for a few months.”

The company, which began trading 47 years ago, has held a meeting with the Health and Safety Executive to put forward its plans and determine whether the gowns are suitable for use by the medical profession.

Finalising the design

“We’re in our initial stages of finalising our design and materials to use,” Claire said. “We have sent samples off to a couple of nursing homes as well.”

The firm will be using spinnaker cloth which is lightweight, waterproof, durable and doesn’t rip easily. It can also be cleaned and disinfected easily – the perfect material for protective clothing.

via Boating Business | COVID-19: Sailcloth as protective clothing.

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