This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Deep Life in Orkney
06/08/2003
Orkney firm Deep Life Ltd was today recognised for their SMART work by Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace during a visit to the firm.
The company was awarded a grant of £45,000 by the Executive in 2002 to help develop a safe high volume closed loop re-breather system for scuba divers.
Currently, these breathing systems have failure modes that can result in the death of the user. The Deep Life invention eliminates failure points and provides total monitoring of the breathing gases regardless of pressure or gas components.
Following completion of the project, Mr Wallace, also the local MSP, presented the company with a SMART Award from the Executive.
Mr Wallace said:
"The Executive is committed to growing the Scottish economy, and encouraging innovation in business is key to achieving this.
"Deep Life Ltd's project is a good example of the type of innovative projects the SMART Awards are designed to encourage, particularly one such as this which will help save lives.
"This award also demonstrates that there is no contradiction between a company working on the frontline of technological development and being based in the islands.
"The Executive is committed to supporting technological innovation and enterprise across Scotland, and I am delighted to underline this by presenting this SMART Award to Deep Life, where they are based, in Orkney.
"Last year we were pleased to announce a record of 42 SMART Award winning companies. I am delighted this year that we have exceeded this, with 47 Awards being presented.
"This highlights the Executive's commitment to continuing to provide effective support to Scotland's small businesses, and turn our best innovations into successful business opportunities."
SMART Awards are designed to help new and existing small businesses (with less than 50 employees) gain a competitive edge in the market by funding the development of innovative and commercially viable projects.
The Deputy First Minister announced details of all SMART Award winners on June 16, 2003 at an award ceremony in Glasgow.
Deep Life Ltd is a management buy-out from the Orkney-based European Technical Dive Centre. The buy-out occurred to allow the development of this project.
For further details on Deep Life contact Mark Reeves, Vice President Marketing & Sales, on 01856 731500.