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.

The invention relates to a tracking system and method comprising: a first and second tracking units comprising a satellite signal receiver, a microprocessor, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver; and an indicator means; and in which upon activation of the first unit, the first unit satellite signal receiver is arranged to receive satellite signals and to determine a location of the first unit. The first unit microprocessor is arranged in operation to receive the location from the first unit satellite signal receiver and generate a first unit location signal in dependence upon said location; and the first unit RF transmitter is arranged to transmit said signal; the second unit is arranged to receive satellite signals and calculate a second unit location; the second unit microprocessor is arranged in operation to receive the second unit location from the second unit satellite receiver. The second unit RF receiver is arranged to receive said first unit location signal; and the second unit microprocessor is arranged upon receipt of said first unit location signal to determine the first unit location; and determine a bearing and distance in dependence upon the first unit location and the second unit location; and indicate said bearing and distance on said second unit indicator means. The first tracking unit also includes a line of sight obstruction detecting means for detecting the presence of nearby obstructions, a height position determining means for determining the relative height of the first tracking unit, wherein the microprocessor includes means of calculating, with reference to a time source, an optimum communications window to transmit and receive an RF signal in the future, based on the detected nearby obstructions, if any, the height position data, and calculated predicted values for the wave height and period, and sends an instruction to the RF transmitter to transmit a signal in the optimum communications window.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a system to sense immersion of a participant into water. The system comprises a smart flag and an alarm device of a watercraft, and an FOB device of a participant. The smart flag, the alarm, and the FOB device are wirelessly connected to each other. The FOB device detects the immersion of the participant in the water. The smart flag is automatically deployed based on the detected immersion. The alarm device is automatically turned ON creating an alarm indicating an SOS signal. When the participant gets submerged in the water, the communication is ceased, thus initiating the flag to go up automatically and alarm a captain of the watercraft. Deployment of the flag lets surrounding watercraft to know that the participant is in the water.

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 search and rescue drone system includes a buoyant body member, a frame attached to the buoyant body member for carrying a motor and propeller, and an electronic array including a camera, GPS, an EPIRB radio distress beacon, and a transmitter/receiver for remote control flying the drone and communicating with an operator. A laser guidance system may provide coordinates for landing near a swimmer in distress. The search and rescue drone may also be programmed to simply fly to the location of an electronic wearable device, like a bracelet, that is worn by a man overboard. In another embodiment, the search and rescue drone includes pivoting motor mounts, so that it can take off and land vertically with propellers rotating in a horizontal plane, and then the propellers may pivot to rotate in a vertical plane for propulsion across water similar to a fan boat with rescued people aboard.

The invention relates to a tracking system and method comprising: a first and second tracking units comprising a satellite signal receiver, a microprocessor, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver; and an indicator means; and in which upon activation of the first unit, the first unit satellite signal receiver is arranged to receive satellite signals and to determine a location of the first unit. The first unit microprocessor is arranged in operation to receive the location from the first unit satellite signal receiver and generate a first unit location signal in dependence upon said location; and the first unit RF transmitter is arranged to transmit said signal; the second unit is arranged to receive satellite signals and calculate a second unit location; the second unit microprocessor is arranged in operation to receive the second unit location from the second unit satellite receiver. The second unit RF receiver is arranged to receive said first unit location signal; and the second unit microprocessor is arranged upon receipt of said first unit location signal to determine the first unit location; and determine a bearing and distance in dependence upon the first unit location and the second unit location; and indicate said bearing and distance on said second unit indicator means. The first tracking unit also includes a line of sight obstruction detecting means for detecting the presence of nearby obstructions, a height position determining means for determining the relative height of the first tracking unit, wherein the microprocessor includes means of calculating, with reference to a time source, an optimum communications window to transmit and receive an RF signal in the future, based on the detected nearby obstructions, if any, the height position data, and calculated predicted values for the wave height and period, and sends an instruction to the RF transmitter to transmit a signal in the optimum communications window.

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.

The smart inflatable swimwear gets involved in the swimwear technology area. The smart inflatable swimwear is composed of the body, gasbags, air tubes, gas cylinder, gas needle, prober, bandages, power cord and caution light. The gasbags are mounted on both sides of the front side of the body of the described swimwear which also has gasbags on the middle of the back side. The gas cylinder is mounted on the body of the swimwear on the back side under the described gasbags. The described gas cylinder is connected to the gasbags on the back side through the air tube. The described gasbags on the back side are connected to the ones on the front side through the air tube.

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.