Since 1984, Flexitank has been at the very forefront of inflatable lift bags for the purpose of salvage and flotation. Flexitank design, engineer and manufacture a sophisticated range of inflatable lift bags for a multitude of applications and industries.
Flexitank is a trusted partner worldwide to salvage, shipping and defence sectors, as well as the offshore oil and gas industry, offering an extensive range of off-the-shelf enclosed, parachute and pillow style inflatable lift bags to address some of the world’s most demanding salvage and flotation challenges.
Ranging from 250kg dive bags, to heavy duty helicopter flotation devices for the Australian Navy, to twenty tonne parachute bags, Flexitank offer a range of inflatable salvage and flotation lift bags that mean our clients have complete trust in our solutions. This is thanks to our know how, keen eye for detail, and a proven manufactured range of inflatable bags that meet their requirements, no matter how great they are.
Flexitank offer three types of inflatable lift bags for the purpose of salvage and flotation:
Enclosed cylindrical lift bags:
| Code | Lifting capacity (kg) | Lifting capacity (lb) | Diametre (mm) | Length (mm) | Number of lifting points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5TENC | 500 | 1,100 | 720 | 1500 | 5 |
| 1TENC | 1,000 | 2,200 | 900 | 2000 | 6 |
| 2.5TENC | 2,500 | 5,510 | 1000 | 3000 | 6 |
| 5TENC | 5,000 | 11,020 | 1500 | 3000 | 7 |
| 10TENC | 10,000 | 22,040 | 2200 | 3000 | 7 |
Parachute style lift bags:
| Code | Lifting capacity (kg) | Lifting capacity (lb) | Diametre (mm) | Length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25PCH | 250 | 50 | 750 | 1100 |
| 0.5PCH | 500 | 1,100 | 900 | 1400 |
| 1PCH | 1,000 | 2,200 | 1150 | 1650 |
| 2.5PCH | 2,500 | 4,400 | 1500 | 2700 |
| 5PCH | 5,000 | 11,020 | 1800 | 3300 |
| 10PCH | 10,000 | 22,040 | 2400 | 4100 |
| 20PCH | 20,000 | 44,090 | 3100 | 6200 |
Pillow tank shape lift bags:
| Code | Lifting capacity (kg) | Lifting capacity (lb) | Length (mm) | Width (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1TENP | 100 | 220 | 750 | 1025 |
| 0.25TENP | 250 | 550 | 850 | 1400 |
| 0.5TENP | 500 | 1,100 | 1200 | 1400 |
| 1TENP | 1,000 | 2,200 | 1500 | 1600 |
| 2TENP | 2,000 | 4,400 | 1800 | 2050 |
| 3TENP | 3,000 | 6,600 | 2050 | 2900 |
*please note: Parachute lift bags and pillow tank shape lift bags are all supplied with a single lifting point at the base of the bag.
Flexitank salvage and lift bags are supplied as a ready to be used product, and are supplied with the following features:
- Standard safe working ration of 6:1 (compliant to IMCA D-016);
- 920gsm European PVC with heavy duty cloth giving it superior tensile strength;
- 1” inlet and outlets with manual dump valves and either cam lock or claw (storz) depending on our client’s requirements;
- Pressure relief valves with function set at 2 PSI above ambient pressure;
- Heavy duty webbing straps with lifting points with Dee of bow shackles (at our client’s direction);
- Heavy duty webbing straps with a single lifting point with a Dee of bow shackle (at our client’s direction);
- Reusable valise bag; and,
- Certificates of conformance
Shop Flexitank’s range of inflatable salvage and lift bags here:
Various Flexitank lift bags
1 tonne lift bags in use
Flexitank 2.5 tonne lift bags in use
2.5 tonne lift bags in use
Flexitank 5 tonne & 500kg cylindrical lift bags under test
5 tonne & 500kg cylindrical enclosed lift bags under testing
Flexitank 5 tonne bags in Courier Mail
Media coverage of 5 tonne lift bags in the Courier Mail
1000kg pillow tank lift bags in testing
1 tonne pillow tank under pressure testing
1000kg pillow tank lift bags in testing
1 tonne pillow tank under pressure testing
2.5 tonne lift bags inflated during testing
2.5 tonne lift bag with shackles and over pressure valves
2.5 tonne lift bags side view
2.5 tonne lift bags side view
2.5 tonne lift bags end view
End view of 2.5 tonne cylindrical enclosed lift bag
Flexitank 7 tonne bags under load
Customised 8 tonne lift bags creating pontoon inflation for urgent bridge repairs
Flexitank 7 tonne bags used as pontoons
Customised 8 tonne lift bags creating pontoon inflation for urgent bridge repairs
Flexitank 7 tonne bags
Customised 8 tonne lift bags creating pontoon inflation for urgent bridge repairs
Flexitank 7 tonne bags under load
Customised 8 tonne lift bags creating pontoon inflation for urgent bridge repairs
500kg Flexitank pillow tank lift bags in use
500kg pillow tank lift bags in action
Every Flexitank lift bag is designed, manufactured and tested to meet strict IMCA D-016 regulations for the use of inflatable salvage and flotation lift bags.
Optimised to transport and to stow
around 500t of buoyancy can fit into a 20ft container; an incredible 1000t of buoyancy can be shipped in a single 40ft container
Operational flexibility via remote, user-controlled, variation of total buoyancy
Low ongoing maintenance requirements and very easily repairable if the need ever arises
Can be taken subsea deflated, and only inflated to provide buoyancy as and when required
Easy to handle
mass to buoyancy ratio of approximately 1%, so a 5t enclosed lift weighs only 45kg (99lbs)
Flexitank inflatable lift bags offer an unrivalled group of further advantages:
Fully compliant with IMCA D-016
We are currently the only Australian based manufacturer to be offering this compliance
Proven track history across a multitude of industry with 35 years of manufacturing knowhow
Cap sealed welds to ensure the longest inflation times and highest weld integrities offered anywhere in the world
Stock of most sizes held in house
Flexitank offers the ability for express shipment worldwide via traditional air freight avenues for emergency situations.
Manufactured from high performance, European manufactured 920gsm PVC in safety orange or yellow
Hot air welded seams and RF-welded closure points, with high quality and load-assured strops and connectors, all with full traceability back to our source
All attached strops and lifting points are sewn and welded to every bag
Our strops are designed for full loading in both vertical and horizontal loads
Need more information?
Send us your enquiry and we will assist you in any way we can