A signal device for maritime distress rescue and a surveillance device for maritime distress rescue are provided. The signal device for maritime distress rescue which is carried by a user aboard a vessel may include a first communicator configured to communicate with a surveillance device for maritime distress rescue of the vessel, a first position detector configured to generate first position information of the signal device at a predetermined time interval, and a first controller configured to receive second position information of the surveillance device from the surveillance device at a predetermined time interval and determine whether the first position information is within a safe area of the vessel that is set on the basis of the second position information. Accordingly, when a distress occurs, it is possible to transmit a distress signal without operating a switch while minimizing power consumption of the signal device.

A water safety rope and alarm system, comprising a rope mounted adjacent to a waterline of a marine or aquatic structure; a switch connected to the rope and configured to be triggered when the rope is tensioned; and an alarm connected to the switch and configured to produce an alarm signal when the switch is triggered.

A method of verifying a potential detection of a man overboard event recorded as a moving object in a plurality of sequential frames of image data in respect of a duration of a time window comprises receiving (900) ranging track data in respect of the time window. A geometric chord is then identified that intersects a start point and an end point of a path described by a ranging track of the ranging track data. A height of the start point and an angle defined by a convergence of the chord and a vertical are then determined (902, 906). The height and the angle are then compared relative to a boundary line in order to classify (910) the path described by the ranging track in relation to a man overboard event, thereby validating the potential detection.

A wireless lanyard system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device, the system comprising an operator fob configured to be worn by an operator of the marine vessel, a helm transceiver configured to receive radio signals from the operator fob an a controller. The controller is configured to define a permitted zone with respect to a helm area of the marine vessel based on at least one vessel condition, determine based on communications between the operator fob and the helm transceiver whether the operator is within the permitted zone with respect to the helm area, and generate a lanyard event when the operator is not within the permitted zone.

A method of operating a wireless lanyard system on a marine vessel having at least one propulsion device includes defining a permitted zone with respect to a helm area where an operator should occupy based on one or more conditions of the marine vessel. Generating a location inquiry signal by a helm transceiver at the helm area of the marine vessel, and receiving an operator location signal from an operator fob worn by the operator of the marine vessel in response to the location inquiry signal. The method further includes determining whether the operator is within the permitted zone with respect to the helm area based on the operator location signal, and generating a lanyard event when the operator is not within the permitted zone. Upon generation of the lanyard event, the propulsion device is controlled to reduce an engine RPM to an idle RPM or the propulsion device is turned off.

A method of verifying a triggered alert in a man overboard detection system comprises: receiving (600) a plurality of sequential frames of image data associated with the triggered alert followed by motion compensating (616) difference frames formed by generating differences (608) between successive frames. A summation of the motion compensated difference frames is then generated (618). The summation image is then analysed (630, 632) and the detection associated therewith is classified (634, 636) in response to identification of a cluster of pixels corresponding to a predetermined size range.

A water safety rope and alarm system, comprising a rope mounted adjacent to a waterline of a marine or aquatic structure; a switch connected to the rope and configured to be triggered when the rope is tensioned; and an alarm connected to the switch and configured to produce an alarm signal when the switch is triggered.

A connector includes a male, key-like member that is operably received in a female connector body. The key-like member includes a stem for operative association with a cord or other body and a distal element. The female connector has a body defining a proximal portion for operative association with a cord or other body and a slot extending along a surface of the body to an aperture for receiving a distal element of a first connector element. A first inside channel extends from the slot at a distal end of the connector to a depth from the surface of the slot. A second inside channel extends from the aperture to the first channel. One of the first and second connectors is provided with a sensor. The sensor indicates that the first connector element is located at the distal portion of the inside channel.

A ship includes a controller that performs wireless communications with a portable machine possessed by a passenger and a lanyard stop switch. When a lanyard code coupled to the passenger is pulled out, the lanyard stop switch operates to stop an engine of an outboard motor and stop the ship. When the controller detects that the lanyard stop switch operates, that is, detects a possibility that the passenger has fallen overboard, the controller starts wireless communications with the portable machine. The controller determines whether or not a rescue signal needs to be transmitted in accordance with conditions regarding a power density and a frequency of a radio wave of the wireless communications as predetermined conditions for estimating a situation of the passenger.

An apparatus that facilitates search and rescue, for example, in open water. The apparatus comprises a substrate with a particular geometry and a perimeter. The apparatus further comprises a cover positioned atop the substrate with the cover also having a particular geometry and perimeter, which correspond to the geometry and perimeter of the substrate. An air-tight seal seals the substrate perimeter to the cover perimeter and creates a sealed internal region. A breakable vessel holding an illuminable dye located in the sealed internal region, along with an activator that is also located in the sealed internal region. When the breakable vessel is broken, the illuminable dye reacts with the activator and illuminates the illuminable dye.