Abstract: A parachute has a canopy and rigging lines with skirt assist lines connected between a point on each rigging line adjacent a lower edge of the canopy and a point on the interior of the canopy spaced from the lower edge. The arrangement is such that a portion of the canopy between the point and the lower edge is relieved of tension as the canopy is deployed to assist the opening of the canopy. The skirt assist lines are frangible. This prevents rapid deployment of the canopy to lower g-forces on the load in high speed opening.

Abstract: A parachute has a canopy and rigging lines with skirt assist lines connected between a point on each rigging line adjacent a lower edge of the canopy and a point on the interior of the canopy spaced from the lower edge. The arrangement is such that a portion of the canopy between the point and the lower edge is relieved of tension as the canopy is deployed to assist the opening of the canopy. The skirt assist lines are frangible. This prevents rapid deployment of the canopy to lower g-forces on the load in high speed opening.

Abstract: A liferaft has a floor (52) surrounded by one or more inflatable tubes (50, 51). Two canopies (54a, 54b) are provided, one (54a) covering one side of the floor (52) and the other (54b) covering the other side of the floor (52). When the liferaft is deployed on water, support means, which may be an inflatable column (63), erect the canopy (54a) that is above the water. The other canopy (54b) is unerected and lies in the water. The system of weights (67) and elastic ropes (66) forms the canopy in the water into stabilizing means in the form of water pockets. Similar means are provided on the deployed canopy (54a) but, when the canopy (54a) is erected, they lie flush with the canopy surface and so do not interfere with the operation of the liferaft.

Abstract: A reserve parachute with air pockets at the apex of the canopy to allow rapid deployment of the reserve parachute without tangling with a malfunctioning main parachute. Skirt assist lines are provided to allow the lower edge of the canopy to spread on deployment and thus speed the opening of the canopy. In addition, ties may be provided between the pockets to maximize their effectiveness.

Abstract: A reversible liferaft having two canopies (4a, 4b), one on each side, and an inflatable column (13), which supports the upper canopy (4a) when the liferaft is floating on water. The column (13) preferably has a narrow center (12) and wider extremities (3a, 3b) and is positioned in an aperture (7) in the floor (2) on the liferaft. A sleeve (9) is connected at one end (10) of the edge of the aperture (7) and at the other end (11) to the center (12) of the column (13).

Abstract: A marine escape system has a passage extending between an evacuation point on a vessel and an inflatable life raft. The passage is arranged vertically and is connected to a succession of hoops. The connection between at least one of the hoops and the life raft is achieved by flexible elongate members of differing flexibility These are held in tension so that, as the life rafts move on swell, the passage extends and retracts from the lower end first. This allows the passage to have only one exit which can be within a life raft so that persons can evacuate from the ship without ever being exposed to the elements. The passage may include a helical tube or a tube with angled panels.

Abstract: A reversible liferaft has an inflatable structure (10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 40) that supports a canopy providing a floor (14) and a roof (15) that lie in parallel planes. This makes the liferaft reversible which is a useful safety feature.

Abstract: A reserve parachute is provided with air pockets at the apex of the canopy to allow rapid deployment of the reserve parachute without tangling with a malfunctioning main parachute. Skirt assist lines are provided to allow the lower edge of the canopy to spread on deployment and thus speed the opening of the canopy. In addition, ties may be provided between the pockets to maximize their effectiveness.