Rescue method and system for an overboard passenger
First Claim
1. A water rescue system comprising:
- a plurality of water-activated signal transmitters, each transmitter being on an individual on a ship;
at least one receiver on said ship, said receiver operable to detect a signal transmitted from said transmitters; and
at least one flotation rescue device mounted on said ship, said at least one flotation rescue device having a motor and an independent navigation system, said navigation system directing said flotation rescue device to an activated said transmitter,wherein, upon receipt by said receiver of a signal transmitted by one of said plurality of water activated-signal transmitters, said at least one flotation rescue device mounted on said ship is automatically deployed.
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Abstract
A system and method are used for dispatching a rescue flotation device to an individual who has fallen overboard from a ship. A water-activated transmitter is carried or worn by each and every passenger on a given ship. Upon detecting moisture, the transmitter is activated to send a data signal to a radio signal receiver on the ship. The contents of the data signal may be the location and/or coordinates of the victim, as determined by triangulation of the signal, a GPS receiver and/or radar. Upon transmission of the data, a rescue flotation device or vessel is automatically deployed from a portion of the vessel into the water. The rescue device may be dispatched from a portion of the ship nearest to the determined location of the victim, and/or the rescue device may be self-propelled such that it navigates to the approximate location of victim.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A water rescue system comprising:
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a plurality of water-activated signal transmitters, each transmitter being on an individual on a ship; at least one receiver on said ship, said receiver operable to detect a signal transmitted from said transmitters; and at least one flotation rescue device mounted on said ship, said at least one flotation rescue device having a motor and an independent navigation system, said navigation system directing said flotation rescue device to an activated said transmitter, wherein, upon receipt by said receiver of a signal transmitted by one of said plurality of water activated-signal transmitters, said at least one flotation rescue device mounted on said ship is automatically deployed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of rescuing an overboard victim, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a transmitter to a plurality of passengers on a ship, said transmitter operable to be activated when immersed in water; detecting a signal transmitted by an activated said transmitter; determining a location of said activated transmitter; and following said detection of said signal, automatically launching a self-powered locomotive flotation device from said ship, and sending commands to said device, said commands comprising instructions to navigate by way of said self-powered locomotion towards said determined location of said activated transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of rescuing an overboard victim comprising:
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providing a plurality of cards to passengers on a ship, each of said cards having a water-activated, signal-transmitting beacon and wherein each of said cards is a key to at least one room on said ship; detecting a signal being transmitted from a said beacon; determining that said signal is being emitted from a location outside of confines of said ship; determining a direction of said transmission of said signal using a directional antenna employing a direction finding technique; approximating a distance of said beacon from said ship; launching a self-powered locomotive flotation device of a plurality of self-powered locomotive flotation devices mounted at varying points on said ship, said self-powered locomotive flotation device determined to be closest of said plurality of said locomotive flotation devices to said beacon; and directing said self-powered locomotive flotation device towards said beacon using a motor on said rescue device.
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Specification