A multipurpose watercraft has a pair of catamaran pontoons supported by way of a transverse control bar at forward regions thereof. The watercraft may have an arched equipment rack framework extending above rearward regions of the pontoons. The watercraft also has a pair of electric motor thrusters located respectively beneath each pontoon and the control bar comprises a pair of controls operable by hand, each control operable to control a respective thruster forwards or backwards. Alternatively, the thrusters may be remotely controlled. This configuration allows an operator to be pulled behind the control bar horizontally between the pontoons, snorkellers to be pulled behind the watercraft for recreational sightseeing and/or for remote-control rescue operations.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes an outer shell having a shape substantially similar to a weapon. The outer shell is configured to be coupled to an aircraft at a weapon attachment point. The apparatus further includes one or more electrical connections configured to be coupled to a weapons control system of the aircraft. The apparatus further includes a life support package comprising an inflatable raft and a stabilization system configured to stabilize the inflatable raft in water.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes an outer shell having a shape substantially similar to a weapon. The outer shell is configured to be coupled to an aircraft at a weapon attachment point. The apparatus further includes one or more electrical connections configured to be coupled to a weapons control system of the aircraft. The apparatus further includes a life support package comprising an inflatable raft and a stabilization system configured to stabilize the inflatable raft in water.

An inflatable life raft system for an aircraft includes a window coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft. A mechanism is used to selectively detach the window from the fuselage. An inflatable life raft is deployable to the exterior of the aircraft upon detachment of the window from the aircraft.

An inflatable life raft system for an aircraft includes a window coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft. A mechanism is used to selectively detach the window from the fuselage. An inflatable life raft is deployable to the exterior of the aircraft upon detachment of the window from the aircraft.

Systems to prevent water ingestion during use of an electrically powered inflation system for an inflatable device in order to ensure that the inflatable device remains either upright in the water during the inflation process, or that prevents water from entering the inflation system air intake during the inflation process, or combinations thereof.

Systems to prevent water ingestion during use of an electrically powered inflation system for an inflatable device in order to ensure that the inflatable device remains either upright in the water during the inflation process, or that prevents water from entering the inflation system air intake during the inflation process, or combinations thereof.

A life raft may include a base comprising a first side and a second side, and a self-supporting, collapsible spring canopy. The canopy may include a spring wire frame, a first panel circumscribed by the spring wire frame, and a second panel circumscribed by the spring wire frame. A method of manufacturing a life raft arrangement includes folding the canopy, inserting the canopy into a storage pouch, and coupling the storage pouch to a life raft.

A life raft may include a base comprising a first side and a second side, and a self-supporting, collapsible spring canopy. The canopy may include a spring wire frame, a first panel circumscribed by the spring wire frame, and a second panel circumscribed by the spring wire frame. A method of manufacturing a life raft arrangement includes folding the canopy, inserting the canopy into a storage pouch, and coupling the storage pouch to a life raft.

Water rescue of an individual whether they be a man overboard (MOB) from a boat or someone close to shore requiring a water rescue by shore lifeguards, can easily become a dangerous and life-threatening situation within a few seconds.

The current invention offers a Compact Powered Rescue Apparatus (CPRA), a lightweight and compact powered watercraft that can be deployed from a moving boat in just seconds thanks to an innovative CO.sub.2 inflation system. CPRA can be stowed on-board a vessel and automatically inflated in just seconds much like the compulsory life-raft or pre-inflated and ready to deploy immediately from shoreline lifeguard stations.

CPRA is a powered watercraft based on U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,029 Motorized Surf Boots (Powered Waterskis), a recreational watercraft. However, in this case the craft is made inflatable, configured with a portable stretcher for water search-and-rescue operations, and driven by battery powered electric marine thrusters.