The present disclosure provides a self-orienting raft system. The self-orienting raft system may comprise a base comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first tube wall coupled to the first side of the base, a charged cylinder coupled to a second side of the base, and an anchor coupled to a second side of the base. The charged cylinder and the anchor may be coupled to the second side of the base proximate to a geometric center of the base when the self-orienting raft system is in an inflated configuration.

A life raft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the life raft includes a flotation platform, a container and a ballast bag, the ballast bag being attached to the flotation platform and to the container. The container is configured to separate upon deployment of the life raft on a surface of a body of water and draw the ballast bag down into the body of water upon separation.

The present disclosure provides a self-orienting raft system. The self-orienting raft system may comprise a base comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a first tube wall coupled to the first side of the base, a charged cylinder coupled to a second side of the base, and an anchor coupled to a second side of the base. The charged cylinder and the anchor may be coupled to the second side of the base proximate to a geometric center of the base when the self-orienting raft system is in an inflated configuration.

A life raft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the life raft includes a flotation platform, a container and a ballast bag, the ballast bag being attached to the flotation platform and to the container. The container is configured to separate upon deployment of the life raft on a surface of a body of water and draw the ballast bag down into the body of water upon separation.

An aquatic rescue vehicle formed by adding directional and speed controls to a watercraft along with an autonomous control system to guide the vehicle to specified waypoints is disclosed. The rescue vehicle includes search devices such as a radio direction finder (RDF) and an infrared sensor (or camera) to be used to narrow the search for an isolated person (IP). The rescue vehicle may be discharged from a larger watercraft or an airplane and autonomously set out on its rescue mission. The vehicle may first navigate to a designated waypoint near an IP, and then use signals gathered from the RDF and infrared sensor to finally locate, assist, and retrieve the IP. The vehicle also includes a self-righting mechanism so that the vehicle can complete its mission even under the most adverse conditions.

A refuge unit has an outer structure and an inner structure. The inner structure is rotatable relative to the outer structure about an axis of rotation. The inner structure is capable of accommodating one or more people. The inner structure is biased toward a substantially constant rotational position about the axis such that if the axis lies in horizontal plane, a floor of the inner structure also lies in a horizontal plane. One or more doors are provided at respective opposite entrances to the unit.

An aquatic rescue vehicle formed by adding directional and speed controls to a watercraft along with an autonomous control system to guide the vehicle to specified waypoints is disclosed. The rescue vehicle includes search devices such as a radio direction finder (RDF) and an infrared sensor (or camera) to be used to narrow the search for an isolated person (IP). The rescue vehicle may be discharged from a larger watercraft or an airplane and autonomously set out on its rescue mission. The vehicle may first navigate to a designated waypoint near an IP, and then use signals gathered from the RDF and infrared sensor to finally locate, assist, and retrieve the IP. The vehicle also includes a self-righting mechanism so that the vehicle can complete its mission even under the most adverse conditions.