Abstract: A marker buoy and system for using the same is disclosed. The marker buoy includes an anchor line and a plurality of panels spaced along the anchor line. The panels are configured to provide a guiding illustration to a user of a sonar imaging device.

Abstract: A flameless and smokeless marker attracts attention to a site. A battery and electronics section has a battery module and electronics module. The battery module connects power to the electronics module for creating responsive power-activation signals. An inflatable bag section is connected to the battery and electronics section and has an inflator and flexible bag. The flexible bag is metalized to reflect radar signals and has ChLCD strips receiving the power-activation signals to be visible to radiation from a remotely located search beacon. A beacon section connected to the battery and electronics section and inflatable bag section has IR laser diode arrays arranged in a circular pattern and a strobe light. The IR laser diode arrays and strobe light are coupled to receive the power-activation signals from the battery and electronics section to emit IR radiation and visible radiation, respectively.

Abstract: A floating target for naval gunfire. The target includes an inflatable buoyant superstructure with a drogue chute attached to the periphery of the bottom of the superstructure. The drogue chute, when in use is well underwater. The drogue chute is an open flexible structure with a bottom end weighted with ballast to deploy it, and with ports through its side to permit water to flow into and out of it. A line is attached to the bottom of the drogue chute to enable the target to be tipped and the drogue chute drained of water. A float can be attached to the free end of the line to facilitate recovery, or the line itself may be buoyant.

Abstract: A radar reflector buoy is disclosed comprising a unitary molded inflatable hollow body with an enlarged or thickened portion which is used to attach the buoy to an anchor. The thickened portion includes a mount for an internal staff and corner radar reflector. Also disclosed is a process for producing the radar reflective buoy. The process involved open molding of the attachment area from a liquid unpolymerized polymer, partially curing it with a mount for a radar reflector staff in place, transferring the attachment area to a rotational molding apparatus, inserting a radar corner reflector and rotational molding the buoy body from a compatible powdered polymer.

Abstract: A solar powered lantern device is visible even without a beacon under reflected light and can be easily color coded to conform to the marking requirements of a new location. The lantern device includes a housing, a lighting element supported by a luminescent internal frame, a photovoltaic power supply, and an omnidirectional reflector. In particularly preferred forms, the lantern device is a buoy having a modular housing with interchangeable colored elements. A lighting element is centrally supported inside the housing by a luminescent frame, which serves to reflect light from approaching craft when the lighting element fails. The device may also be mounted atop a pole. In preferred forms the frame is hollow and forms a conduit for electrical conductors from the power supply to the lighting element. A pair of conical reflectors is positioned within the housing to reflect the beacon light omnidirectionally.

Abstract: A pyramid constructed of upstanding inflatable beam members extending from an inflatable base upwardly to an apex. The inflatable base carries an integral sea anchor depending therefrom, comprising an inflatable cross tube carrying a centrally depending inflatable anchor tube with an achor weight positioned in the lowermost end portion thereof. The sea anchor includes a plurality of flood ports positioned in lower flat panels of flexible sheet material extending between the base and the end of the anchor tube to form a pyramidal surface enclosing the vertical anchor tube and weight. Upper flat panels of flexible sheet material extend between the upstanding inflatable beam to form a pyramidal surface. The upper panels include an upper radar reflective panel portion, a lower colored panel portion, and a translucent panel portion positioned between the upper and lower panel portions. A solar still mechanism is positioned within the enclosure formed by the pyramidal surface.

Abstract: A pyramid constructed of upstanding inflatable beam members extending from an inflatable base upwardly to an apex. The inflatable base carries an integral sea anchor depending therefrom, comprising an inflatable cross tube carrying a depending inflatable anchor tube with an anchor weight positioned in the lowermost portion thereof. The sea anchor has a plurality of flood ports positioned in panels enclosing the vertical anchor tube and weight. Flat panels of flexible sheet material extend between the upstanding inflatable beams to form a pyramidal surface. The panels include an upper radar reflective panel portion, a lower colored panel portion, and a translucent panel portion positioned between the upper and lower panel portions. A solar still mechanism is positioned within the enclosure formed by the pyramidal surface. Pockets are provided for survival gear on the exterior of the pyramidal surface.

Abstract: Luminescent or light-emitting floats, such as seine floats, molded from pore-forming resinous compositions which contain an effective amount of a luminescent or phosphorescent pigment. The present floats contain the light-emitting pigment not only at the outer surface thereof but also inwardly thereof so that the removal or wear of surface portions of the float uncover interior portions which also contain said pigment.

Abstract: A signal device for indicating, by day or by night, the location of a person adrift on the surface of a body of water, consisting of a vividly colored inflatable tube made of thin, flexible but nearly inextensible material, provided with a one-way valve for inflation by mouth, and a miniature electric lamp coupled to a water-activated battery. The tube is permanently attached to a life jacket or other garment and has a flag secured to its free end. The tube or the flag or both contain a metallic pigment or are covered with a layer of such material so as to be radar detectable.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is the universal reflector of electromagnetic waves mounted on the float which in any position reflects electromagnetic waves back to the source of the emission, that is, to the receiver. The reflected electromagnetic wave has a direction parallel to the direction of incoming emitted electromagnetic beam.