Combining this technology with air pressure systems and balloon technology to create a multi-purpose modular system for ship rescue purposes was the target of the SUSY project. Therefore the booster technology combined with pressure air technologies had to be adapted to the salvage procedure requirements. In combination with new balloon textiles a secure vessel stabilisation process as well as the salvage process will be supported. Different application scenarios/concepts were envisaged:

• preventive installation of rescue systems on ships with hazardous cargo;
• equipment for coast guard and rescue squads to quickly stabilise capsized ships; and 
• equipment for teams to lift sunken ships.

The technical challenges for SUSY where research is needed to develop the envisaged systems were:

• developing a hydro-dynamical and a thermo-dynamical model as basis for a controlled process for the different possible scenarios;
• developing a safety and secure buoyancy generating system based on liquid, solid fuel and air pressure;
• find the right material to cope with the pressure the temperature and the dynamic loads of a rescue scenario;
• define a life-cycle cost model to assure the design of a low cost modular system; and
• simulate the different scenarios to provide input for the design optimisation.

Finally, the SUSY project wet out to build a prototype to prove the concept in real sea tests.