Personnel transfer system

A transfer device operative to facilitate transferring people from a first location to a second location, comprising:

• a base in the form of a polygon;
• an outer structure in the form of a cage connected to the base, the outer structure and base defining an inner space;
• a plurality of seating elements disposed on the base and within the inner space, each seating element operative for a person to sit upon it during transfer, the seating elements disposed radially around the center of the inner space and facing alternating sides of the polygon, wherein each seating element comprises a seat and a backrest, and is asymmetric with respect to a vertical plane passing through the center of the base and perpendicular to the polygon side faced by the seating element, thereby dividing the seat and the backrest in two unequal parts;
• buoyant shock absorbing panels disposed on the outer structure at least in positions in front of each of the seating elements, and operative to protect seated people from frontal impacts, and further operative to contribute to rendering the device buoyant in water;
• and
• a coupler disposed on the outer structure and operative to couple the transfer device to a lifting device.