In an aspect, a processing apparatus receives detection signaling indicating a field incursion in a detection field of a LIDAR device mounted to a marine vessel and oriented to detect objects within a free space alongside the marine vessel. The processing apparatus applies plausibility testing to the field incursion, including determining whether parameters derived from the detection signaling are characteristic of a human body falling from the marine vessel through the detection field. The processing apparatus outputs signaling indicating a person overboard event to an alarm or control system onboard the marine vessel, in response to the field incursion passing the plausibility testing.

A child water safety bracelet system for alerting parents to their children's entering water includes at least one child bracelet and a parent bracelet. The child bracelet comprises a first housing and a first wristband configured to secure the first housing to a child's wrist. A water sensor, a first CPU, a first battery, and a transmitter are coupled within a first inner cavity of the first housing. The first CPU sends an alarm signal through the transmitter when the water sensor detects water. The parent bracelet comprises a second housing and a second wristband configured to secure the second housing to a parent's wrist. A speaker, a second CPU, a second battery, and a receiver are coupled within a second inner cavity of the second housing. The second CPU activates the speaker to produce the alarm sound when the receiver receives the alarm signal from the transmitter.

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 safety system for a boat, watercraft or other vehicle includes a kill switch connected to the motor for preventing the motor from running under dangerous circumstances. The system includes a fob that wirelessly communicates with the kill switch, so that the motor only runs when the fob is within a predetermined distance from the captain's console. Other sensors communicate with the kill switch, either hard-wired together or wirelessly, upon detection of dangerous situations, including proximity sensors to detect if a swimmer is near the propeller or if the captain is not in position at the helm, gate sensors to detect when gates on the boat are in an open position, and ladder sensors to detect when a ladder is in a down position. The system may also include an alarm emitting a visual or audible warning to the boat captain based on input from the sensors.

A liquid-ingress control device, comprising a casing having an interior and an exterior, and optionally, a liquid-activated trigger positioned in the casing interior, the casing comprising an exterior liquid entry control surface defined by a perimeter in sealing relationship with an edge of a cap, the cap having an interior cap surface formed to define a cap space between the interior cap surface and the liquid entry control surface; the liquid entry control surface comprising a liquid entry port comprising a tube extending between the exterior and interior of the casing through an aperture formed in the entry control surface, the tube optionally comprising a flange positioned exterior to the casing; the cap comprising at least two flow apertures positioned such that liquid contained within the cap space is capable of egress under gravity from the cap space, independently of the orientation of the device.

A system and method for monitoring a spatial position of a mobile transmitter is provided. In particular, the mobile transmitter may be attached to or included in an object of interest. By analyzing the signal strengths of radio frequency signals emitted by the transmitter, a spatial position of the mobile transmitter can be determined, and it is possible to detect whether or not the spatial position of the mobile transmitter is outside an allowable area. By applying the monitoring of the spatial position to a radio frequency system on a vessel, a reliable man-over-board detection can be achieved.

A vessel control system for a marine vessel propelled by at least one propulsion device includes a wireless lanyard system including at least one fob worn by an individual on the marine vessel and a helm transceiver at a helm area of the marine vessel configured to receive radio signals from the at least one fob. A controller is configured to detect, based on communications between each of the at least one fob and the helm transceiver, that each of the at least one fob is present on the marine vessel. A missing fob is detected if at least one of the fobs is no longer detected at the helm transceiver, and then a man overboard event is generated. The vessel control system is configured to automatically activate one or more search assistance functions based on the man overboard event.

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.

An overboard tracking device is an apparatus which facilitates the location of individuals wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) or similar survival devices in a body of water. The apparatus includes a prismatic buoyant housing, a power source, at least one switch, a controller, a transceiver, a thermionic layer, an antenna layer, and a waterproof casing. The prismatic buoyant housing maintains the apparatus above water. The power source provides power for the operation of the apparatus. The at least one switch enables manual or automatic activation or deactivation for the apparatus. The controller processes the data and signals received from external radar sources. The transceiver facilitates the sending and receiving of radio wave signals to/from external radar sources. The thermionic layer generates the power stored in the power source. The antenna layer transmits radio waves from/to the transceiver. The waterproof casing prevents contact of the electronic components with water.

An overboard tracking patch is an apparatus which increases the visibility and tracking capabilities of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for more efficient tracking of overboard individuals. In a passive embodiment, the apparatus includes an outer layer, an intermediate layer, an attachment layer, and a processor. The outer layer increases the visibility of PFDs during both daytime and nighttime conditions. The intermediate layer provides radio identification capabilities for the remote tracking of PFDs using search radars. The attachment layer enables users to attach the present invention to a PFD. The processor stores PFD information and other identification data. In a hybrid active-passive embodiment, the apparatus also comprises a thermionic layer and a power-storage layer. The thermionic layer generates power due to the heat exchange between the body of the user and the thermionic layer. The power-storage layer serves to store power generated by the thermionic layer to power up the processor.