Abstract: Approaches presented herein enable maneuvering collaborative robots to rescue persons in a hydrological disaster. A plurality of robots are dispersed in a body of water to spread out and seek victims using cooperative foraging techniques within resource constraints. A location of victims located by a robot using sensing techniques is communicated to other robots. A situational assessment is performed using victim location information to determine a number of robots to deploy to the location. The deployed robots are directed to perform coordinated maneuvers to create a connected floatation unit to support floatation of victims for rescue.

Abstract: An autonomous lifebuoy includes a body, an electric power supply, a propelling module and a control unit configured to control the autonomous lifebuoy so as to automatically guide the autonomous lifebuoy towards a person overboard in water, during a man overboard (MOB) situation. The control unit includes at least one communication module, a non-volatile memory, a graphics processing unit (GPU) configured to perform an image comparison and a microcomputer configured to make calculations, based on at least the image comparison performed by the graphics processing unit (GPU), and issue commands to at least the propelling module to propel the autonomous lifebuoy towards the person overboard in the water during the man overboard (MOB) situation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for dynamic routing during muster. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for dynamic routing during distributed muster includes assigning a muster station to a passenger on a vessel and thereafter, locating the passenger at a location on the vessel during a muster event. Once the passenger has been located on the vessel, a path is computed between the location and the muster station and turn by turn instructions assembled for the computed path. Finally, the turn by turn instructions are transmitted to a mobile computing device of the passenger, such as a smart phone or smart watch, for display in the mobile computing device of the passenger during the muster event.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a core for a composite material sandwich panel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of balsawood with opposite major surfaces, with vessels and axial parenchyma cells of the balsawood extending between the opposite major surfaces in a thickness direction of the sheet; coating a layer of a curable resin composition onto respective opposite major surfaces of the sheet of balsawood; and curing the curable resin composition, wherein the resin composition is applied and cured so that the coating layer of cured resin composition unevenly fills or only partly fills outermost ends of at least some of the vessels in the balsawood and thereby provides, at least in the vicinity of at least some of the vessels, a non-planar outer surface of the coating layer of the cured resin composition over the opposite major surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a small leisure boat. The leisure boat according to the present invention comprises: a container-shaped boat on which people board; seats arranged along the inner wall of the boat body; three or more connection rods of which one end is coupled to the boat body and which are arranged symmetrically with the boat body at the center; and floating bodies respectively connected to the other end of each of the connection rods. According to the present invention, riders can converse or play a game while facing each other by arranging the table inside the boat body and the seats around the table, thereby increasing convenience and entertainment aspects of leisure activities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating LNG plant (1, 1?, 100) comprising a converted LNG carrier with a hull and a plurality of LNG storage tanks (4, 104) wherein in that the floating LNG plant (1, 1?, 100) comprises: —at least one sponson (2, 2?, 3, 3?, 102, 103) on the side of the hull, for creating additional hull volume, —process equipment (110) for LNG processing on the floating LNG plant (1, 1?, 100), and—a reservoir for storing fluids separated during the LNG processing, wherein said reservoir is formed by the ballast tank or in the space reserved for the ballast tank of the original LNG carrier.

Abstract: Embodiments of a rescue boat are disclosed. A rescue boat can include a port pontoon, a starboard pontoon, and a deck, the deck being attachable to the port pontoon and the starboard pontoon. A method of launching the rescue boat includes placing a port pontoon, a starboard pontoon, and a deck in proximity close to a launch point; mating the deck with the port pontoon and the starboard pontoon; attaching the deck with the port pontoon and the starboard pontoon; mounting a motor on a motor mount on the deck; and launching the rescue boat formed by the port pontoon, the deck, and the starboard pontoon.

Abstract: The invention is both a functional piece of furniture, but also claims to serve as an emergency haven that can be used as a tornado shelter or as a floating device. The device may offer protection for people who may not have the ability to reach a shelter, due to physical handicaps, distance to shelter, and deficiencies in their habitats. It offers protection if airlifted and a shield against flying debris, in case of flood the top is detached and the bottom can be used as a canoe-shape floating device. The sofa is built with an aluminum titanium alloy covered in glass reinforced GRP; it is sized to accommodate two adults. It has ventilations slots covered with built-in air filters; it has removable cushions and non-removable foam padding. The device is equipped with a callout GPS and a safe storage compartment for valuables and medications.

Abstract: A coupling for coupling a fall (26) to a lifeboat (1) comprising locking portions and a receiving portion constituting a hollow (10) having a open end and an upwardly facing aperture (15). The locking portion (25), hollow (10) and aperture (15) having a form preventing the locking portion (25) from passing through the aperture (15). The coupling further comprises actuators (30, 35, 39) controlled by a controller (40). A string (27) may be provided for easy retrieval of the locking portions upon the retrieval of the lifeboat (1).

Abstract: A emergency capsized boat seating apparatus includes a boat that has a hull with a bottom side. A plurality of chair assemblies is provided and each is embedded into the bottom side. Each of the chair assemblies is positionable in a stored position is approximately flush with the bottom side or in a deployed position extending outwardly away from the bottom side.

Abstract: This invention relates to a naval rescue vessel, comprising a propulsion unit (1) powered by a water jet and a hull unit (200), wherein said hull unit is at least partly flexible and wherein said propulsion unit (100) is arranged to form a rigid unit, and wherein the two units (100, 200) are interconnected to form a naval rescue vessel intended to be handled/manoeuvred by a single rescuer, wherein the interconnection (130, 205) between the two units (100, 200) is arranged to provide a releasable connection of the units.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for supporting and releasing a twin fall lifeboat, comprising a pair of hooks releasably engaged with a corresponding pair of lifting links; and a lifeboat release assembly. The lifeboat release assembly includes a release handle, a release arm, an emergency release shaft, a weighted rack, and a pair of flexible cables attached at first ends to the rack and attached at second ends to the hooks. The release handle attaches to the release arm at a pivot point. The release arm includes a wheel disposed within a wheel encasement attached to the weighted rack. The system includes an engaged configuration in which the lifting links are secured by the hooks. The release handle is pulled to release the lifting links from the hooks substantially simultaneously. An emergency ratchet lever engages with the emergency release shaft for releasing the twin fall lifeboat under load.

Abstract: A rescue boat capable of use on ice, strewn water, water, snow and dragged over rigid surfaces is described. The rescue boat comprises a hull fabricated from a lamination of fiber materials having a specific orientation to provide flexibility for shock absorbing. An inner keel beam is retained along a central longitudinal axis of the hull on an inner surface of the hull. A transom cowling extends across opposed sidewalls of the hull and merges into a transom wall laminated with the hull. One or more transverse seating frames are secured across the opposed sidewalls by connecting brackets and adapted to transfer impact forces with the sidewalls. One or more vertical rigid support posts are secured to the inner keel beam and an associated one of the one or more transverse seating frames for transmitting vertical impact forces between the inner keel beam and the one or more transverse seating frames.

Abstract: A self-righting inflatable life raft (10) comprises a raft body (11) having inflatable side walls (21, 22) and a floor (15) located therebetween. At least two inflatable tube members form arches (51, 52) that extend from one side of the raft body to the other, each arch extends upwardly and outwardly from a perimeter of said raft body (11) at an angle from the perpendicular to said raft body. The life raft has a central axis of symmetry (61) and a center of gravity through which the weight of the life raft acts to rotate the raft on the surface of water from an unstable inverted position to a stable upright position. The tube members when inflated have a buoyancy sufficient to exert a turning moment on the life raft (10) causing the life raft to topple by gravity to an upright position. At least one inflatable interconnecting tube (70, 71, 72, 76, 77) is positioned between the arches (51, 52) and offset from the central axis (61) to increase the turning moment.

Abstract: A rigid structural pallet is provided to support and carry cargo suspended by a crane or helicopter for delivery into or recovery from the water. The pallet consists of a rigid panel extending the full longitudinal and lateral (horizontal) extent of the pallet, one or more longitudinal rails, and a single suspension ring attached to the longitudinal rail or rails carrying the full weight of the cargo and pallet.

Abstract: A roof structure is adapted for removable attachment to a boat permitting use of the roof as an emergency float for boat occupants. The roof includes a shell having a buoyant member affixed thereto with an inflatable ring carried on the shell in a collapsed manner. A source of pressurized air is in controlled communication with the inflatable ring. Roof support structure includes lug equipped plates on the boat and the roof which, upon roof repositioning, permits separation and launching of the roof. A modified form of root support structure includes deck mounted, swingably mounted upright supports located adjacent the roof sides and which permit lowering of the roof into the water. The inflatable ring contributes to buoyancy as well as occupant protection from the water.

Abstract: A self-righting inflatable life raft having a raft body formed by inflatable sidewalls, a floor above a bottom of the sidewalls, a line of rotation of the raft defined by the outer perimeter of the raft body about which the raft body rotates on the surface of the water when moved from an inverted position to an upright position. The center of gravity of the raft body is spaced a first predetermined distance from the line of rotation and displaced horizontally from the line of rotation when the raft is inverted. At least three inflatable spaced apart tube members extending upwardly and outwardly from the perimeter of the raft body at an angle from the perpendicular to the raft body to a sufficient degree and having a buoyancy sufficient such that the moment exerted on the raft about the line of rotation by the weight of the raft acting through its center of gravity causes the raft body to topple by gravity to an upright position.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an air, sea, or land deployed rapid response, self-propelled, autonomous or semi-autonomous marine vehicle (AMV) possessing a pair of extendible hydraulic cylinders encased in a pneumatic inflation chute, with an ability to be directed toward, and to autonomously seek out and recover physically restricted persons in peril from an aqueous environment. The AMV uses video, thermal, and audio sensors to actively and autonomously detect persons floating in an aqueous environment, and can be directed to a person or persons in distress on the sea surface through an aircraft, ship, or shore mounted, GPS linked, laser targeting system. The present invention also possesses the ability to provide life support functions, propulsive mobility, and two way real-time radio frequency and satellite based voice, video and data telemetry with the rescue aircraft, ship, or shore based coordination center responsible for deploying, operating, or monitoring the AMV.

Abstract: A modular liferaft wherein the canopy, canopy support, floor pads if any, boarding ramp and at least one ballast are detachably attached to a liferaft hull and floor assembly. Modular construction facilitates maintenance and repair and may reduce the cost and volume of materials employed in spares programs necessary to support liferafts used in commerce.

Abstract: This invention relates to a boat designed as a self-hoisting unit for the vertical and horizontal transfer of persons and/or equipment from a ship to an offshore platform and vice versa. The boat carries a hollow mast forming a guide for a cable, the upper end of which will be attached to a carrier structure extending outwardly from a platform or ship. The mast is held by shrouds so as to withstand large flexural strains. For compensating sea-swell, the lower end of the cable passes over a damper unit comprising an hydraulic cylinder associated with pulleys of two opposed tackle-blocks. The cable is driven by a winch so that the boat can autonomously hoist itself to the platform deck level, or lower itself down to the sea or onto the deck of a ship. The mast height is sufficient for generating an uprighting torque ensuring horizontal stability of the boat during its ascent and descent.

Abstract: A free fall escape vehicle has surfaces of a deceleration structure that decelerate the vehicle upon entry into the water at a rate no greater than 4 g to 10 g by progressively increasing in area towards an escape vessel of the vehicle. In one form, the deceleration structure is circularly symmetrical normal to its axis, which can be approximated by a series of spaced-apart shells, each shell being a zone of a sphere the center of curvature of which is at or above the center of gravity of the escape vehicle; the condition can also be approximated by truncated sections of right circular cones. An escape vehicle similar to a lifeboat has a wedge-shaped deceleration structure with the sides of the wedge paralleling the fore-and-aft axis of the vessel, the structure can be approximated by a series of right circularly cylindrical shells or flat plates both having an effective center of curvature at or above the center of gravity of the vehicle.

Abstract: A safety capsule structure comprising semi-cylindrical half-sections provided with yieldable and buoyant lining secured on the inner periphery thereof, the half-sections being adapted for installation in a boat hull, or the like, for stabilization of the boat structure against capsizing and to provide a flotation force for the boat, the half-sections being further adapted to be secured together along a common longitudinal side edge to provide alternate open and closed positions with respect to a pair of the half-sections, the closed position of the half-sections providing a protective capsule for an occupant for protection of the occupant during hazardous ambient conditions, such as a tornado, or the like.

Abstract: A rescue system for a marine structure such as an offshore drilling rig or production platform includes an enclosed type life boat constructed to be supported on board the marine structure by being releasably suspended over free water from a single point or fulcrum. The fulcrum is located relative to the center of gravity of the life boat such that the latter, in its suspended position, adopts a predetermined slanting orientation which it maintains substantially constant throughout its free fall when released from its suspension.

Abstract: A boat dingy which also serves as a cockpit while the boat is underway and as a cabin top when the boat is moored.