An offshore facility evacuation system that includes a submerged-floating pod (SFP) unit adapted to be positioned in a body of water adjacent an offshore facility, and a SFP station of the offshore facility adapted to launch the SFP unit from the facility. The SFP unit including a SFP controller, an SFP escape line to extend between the SFP station and the SFP unit to provide a path for moving persons from the SFP station to the SFP unit while the SFP unit is floating in the body of water, a SFP landing base including an inflatable platform to provide a landing area for persons, a SFP depth control system to regulate submergence of the SFP unit, a SFP location control system to control a location of the SFP unit, and a SFP communication system to provide communication with the SFP unit, and personal evacuation devices (PEDs).

An offshore facility evacuation system that includes a submerged-floating pod (SFP) unit adapted to be positioned in a body of water adjacent an offshore facility, and a SFP station of the offshore facility adapted to launch the SFP unit from the facility. The SFP unit including a SFP controller, an SFP escape line to extend between the SFP station and the SFP unit to provide a path for moving persons from the SFP station to the SFP unit while the SFP unit is floating in the body of water, a SFP landing base including an inflatable platform to provide a landing area for persons, a SFP depth control system to regulate submergence of the SFP unit, a SFP location control system to control a location of the SFP unit, and a SFP communication system to provide communication with the SFP unit, and personal evacuation devices (PEDs).

A life raft system for an aircraft, comprising a storage container; an inflatable life raft that is stored in the storage container in normal operation mode, an inflation device for inflating the inflatable life raft in an emergency mode, and a control unit for activating the inflation device in the emergency mode; wherein the control unit comprises a floatable control buoy with an activation member that is operable for activating the inflation device, wherein the floatable control buoy is provided for operation at a predetermined distance remote from an associated aircraft in an emergency mode.

The present invention relates generally to the field of snowmobiles and other recreational devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snowmobile emergency flotation device. The device is primarily comprised of a body having at least one door and at least one inflatable air bag contained therein. The device can be secured to the front ski and/or running board of a snowmobile. The device is further comprised of at least one water sensor that automatically activates the air bag such that the air bag extends outwards from the body and inflates when the water sensor is submerged. The air bag may also be activated by a manual switch. Once inflated, the air bag prevents the snowmobile the device is attached to from sinking into a body of water.

The present invention relates generally to the field of snowmobiles and other recreational devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snowmobile emergency flotation device. The device is primarily comprised of a body having at least one door and at least one inflatable air bag contained therein. The device can be secured to the front ski and/or running board of a snowmobile. The device is further comprised of at least one water sensor that automatically activates the air bag such that the air bag extends outwards from the body and inflates when the water sensor is submerged. The air bag may also be activated by a manual switch. Once inflated, the air bag prevents the snowmobile the device is attached to from sinking into a body of water.

An evacuation system (10) includes an electrically insulating inflatable conveyance (11), which is stowed within, and deployed from, a framework (21) attached to an interior structure (45) or exterior structure (43) of an industrial vehicle (38). The inflatable conveyance (11) preferably has a flexible base (12) affixed to, and dependently supported by, longitudinally disposed closed tubular members (15), and may take the form of a chute that may be configured to function as a slide or as a ladder. The chute may be enclosed with a canopy (17), or may be open but provided with upwardly extending side walls (16). In implementations of a canopy (17), transparent egress windows (19) may be provided. Transversely oriented straps (14) form safety steps and/or hand rails in a “ladder” configuration of the chute.

An escape system comprises a passage (1), a platform (3) and at least one craft (4), the platform (3) and the craft (4) being deployable from a structure (2) to water to facilitate evacuation of the structure via the passage. The passage is mounted to the platform such that the platform is urged towards the structure when deployed. The passage may be mounted to the platform such that movement of the passage relative to the platform is restricted in at least one direction. A plate (64) may support the passage, platform and/or craft during deployment, and/or stabilises the passage, platform and/or craft after deployment in the water.

An escape system comprises a passage (1), a platform (3) and at least one craft (4), the platform (3) and the craft (4) being deployable from a structure (2) to water to facilitate evacuation of the structure via the passage. The passage is mounted to the platform such that the platform is urged towards the structure when deployed. The passage may be mounted to the platform such that movement of the passage relative to the platform is restricted in at least one direction. A plate (64) may support the passage, platform and/or craft during deployment, and/or stabilises the passage, platform and/or craft after deployment in the water.

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.

An axial piercing mechanism for a pressurized gas canister includes a housing, electric motor assembly, pushrod assembly, and lancet. The housing defines one or more radial exhaust ports and coaxial internal cavities. The electric motor assembly and pushrod assembly are disposed in the respective first and second cavities. The pushrod assembly is coupled to the electric motor assembly and is rotatably driven along the longitudinal axis thereby. The lancet is coupled to the pushrod assembly. The housing includes a second end that receives or couples to a sealed end of the pressurized gas canister proximate the lancet such that the electric motor assembly, when energized, causes the pushrod assembly and lancet to translate along the longitudinal axis, pierce a sealed end/diaphragm of the canister, and release pressurized gas through the exhaust port. A system includes the axial piercing mechanism and the pressurized gas canister.