Givens Marine Survival Co. Inc., based in Tiverton, R.I., was recognized recently at a NASA Technology Spinoff Day at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

Engineers at Johnson Space Center in Houston originally developed the self-righting "igloo-shaped" raft design to prevent life rafts holding astronauts from capsizing from the downdraft of helicopters. Now manufactured by Givens, the rafts are credited with saving the lives of 450 sailors.

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