WIREDGOV

Rob, an engineer by profession, said his invention was prompted by the concerns of his petite wife Carole that she would be physically unable to help him back into the boat should he fall overboard.

So with a little help from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh Innovators Network (WIN), Rob developed Cadarn Talon, a robust rescue and mooring device that can be used in hand or in conjunction with a boat hook for greater reach.

Cadarn Talon ( 'cadarn' is Welsh for 'strong') is essentially a mechanically closing snap hook which can be used in an emergency to attach a rope or line to a person in the sea by clipping onto  a strap, harness, ring or belt. On a regular basis it can be used to assist in mooring a boat or recovering objects from the sea.

The Talon is a robust, simple to use device capable of serving a multitude of applications. Easily operated by one person, its compact size and light weight means it can be easily carried in hand luggage and ideal for people who charter boats worldwide or work as delivery crew.

Cadarn Talon was one of fifty inventions exhibited on the Assembly Government’s stand at the recent British Invention Show where judges awarded it a Double Gold for Innovation and the Platinum Award for Invention in the leisure category.

Rob, who lives in Wenvoe, near Cardiff, said it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time as he hopes to commercially launch the device shortly and is currently producing 50 production units for final assessment and validation prior to going to market.

There is a massive potential market worldwide with more than 800,000 floating moorings in France alone while Michigan State is home to more than one million boat registered owners.

Rob has the distinction of being one of the first inventors in Wales to benefit from the Assembly Government’s £36m Business Innovation programme. Supported by European funds it is ensuring the continuation and expansion of support offered by WIN to help lone inventors and companies identify opportunities for business improvement and growth.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said that in the current economic climate, it is more important than ever to support and help businesses and innovators develop new products and processes.

“We have no shortage of inventors and innovators in Wales but turning a clever idea into a commercial product takes time and is not necessarily an easy process. But the Business Innovation programme is designed to provide the expertise and dedicated assistance to enable them to develop, protect and commercialise their ideas.”

The invention has also brought business to two local companies as SARO Engineering Ltd in Newport produced the production units with the main components cut by Dragon Laser Ltd of Bridgend.

Although Rob is principally targeting the marine leisure market, the device could be used in many fields including professional rescue organisations in emergencies such as floods.

Priced at around £60 he believes it is affordable and a useful tool which he has personally tested in the UK and in the Mediterranean.

Rob who received advice and funding on patents and prototyping from WIN said this support had been invaluable – and helped put his wife’s mind at rest!

“We’re both relatively new to sailing and she’s now much more relaxed when we go sailing knowing that despite the fact she’s only 4ft 11ins tall she could use the Cadarn Talon to help in the event of an accident.”

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