Abstract
Described herein is a device for recovering an object from water comprising an object attachment point, for attaching the device to the object, and an inflatable and/or buoyant target mesh element, the attachment point and target mesh element being linked by an extendible line portion which is extendible when placed under longitudinal pressure. Such a Man Overboard Recovery System allows a vessel to remain under proper control in difficult weather conditions when dealing with a casualty recovery situation.
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A device for recovering an object from water comprising an object attachment point, for attaching the device to the object, and an inflatable and/or buoyant target mesh element, the attachment point and target mesh element being linked by an extendible line portion which is extendible when placed under longitudinal pressure.
23. The device of claim 22 wherein the extendible line portion is a packaged length of lifting line, formed as a package such that each end of the line emerges from the package at a different point, wherein the lifting line remains in packaged form until a longitudinal force is applied to one or both ends of the line.
24. The device of claim 23 wherein the package is essentially cylindrical.
25. The device of claim 24 wherein one end of the line emerges from the cylindrical package at one end and the other end of the line emerges from the other end of the package.
26. The device of claim 22 wherein one end of the line is fixed within the package forming the extendible line.
27. The device of claim 22 wherein the extendible line portion is irreversibly extendible.
28. The device of claim 22 wherein the extendible line portion is extendible under a longitudinal pressure of at least about 5 N.
29. The device of claim 22 wherein the target mesh element forms the shape of a triangle or circle.
30. The device of claim 22 wherein the target mesh element comprises at least one inflatable portion, convertible from an undeployed to a deployed state.
31. The device claim 22 further comprising a winch connection point providing means for connecting the device to a winch mechanism, the connection point being positioned between the target mesh element and the end or end region of the extendible line portion proximal to the target mesh element.
32. The device of claim 31 wherein the connection point is joined to the remainder of the device by a link capable of bearing a weight of at least 50 kg.
33. The device of claim 22 comprising shock absorbing material in the extendible line portion and/or at or in the object attachment point and/or in the material forming a buoyancy aid to which the device is attached.
34. The device according to claim 23 in which the package comprises an inner and an outer casing.
35. The device of claim 34 wherein the inner casing is surrounded by the outer casing arranged to cause compression of end regions of the inner casing, further wherein the outer casing comprises a region of weakness capable of structural failure, in use, in the event that smooth deployment of the line is interrupted by the presence of a knot or tangle in the line.
36. A buoyancy aid comprising the device of claim 22.
37. A method of making the buoyancy aid of claim 36, comprising attaching a device to the buoyancy aid, the device comprising an object attachment point, for attaching the device to the object, and an inflatable and/or buoyant target mesh element, the attachment point and target mesh element being linked by an extendible line portion which is extendible when placed under longitudinal pressure.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein the buoyancy aid is a lifejacket, further comprising providing to the lifejacket: a) a crotch strap; and/or b) means for connecting a crotch strap to other parts of the lifejacket; and/or c) means for securing a crotch strap in place around a user when wearing the lifejacket; wherein the crotch strap and/or means for connecting and/or means for securing is capable, when the lifejacket in use and fitted around a wearer, of bearing a weight of at least about 50 kg.
39. A method of retrieving an object in the water, the object being attached to the device of claim 22, comprising: a) a rescuer engaging with the target mesh element; b) the rescuer enabling pressure to develop between the target mesh element engaged with the rescuer and the object attachment point, such that the extendible line portion extends.
40. The method of claim 39 further comprising subsequently immobilising the target mesh element at a fixed point.
41. The method of claim 39 wherein the object is attached to the device wherein the connection point is joined to the remainder of the device by a link capable of bearing a weight of at least 50 kg, further comprising: c) linking the connection point to a winch mechanism positioned on a boat or on land; d) moving the connection point linked in step (c) so as to cause the first object to move towards the boat or land.
Description
[0075] Advantages of the various features of the device as outlined above will now be described in more detail with particular reference to a method of operating the device. This description is provided by way of example only and referring to FIGS. 1-10 in which:
[0076] FIG. 1 shows a casualty in the water attached to a device according to the invention;
[0077] FIG. 2 shows a rescuer reaching from a boat to engage a boat hook with a target element of the device;
[0078] FIG. 3 shows the extendible line in extended form and the winch mechanism connection point engaged with a halyard on the boat;
[0079] FIG. 4 shows the sail lifting apparatus of the boat being used to lift the halyard such that the connection point is lifted up the mast, thereby drawing the casualty towards the boat, upwards out of the water and, ultimately, to a position where they can be pulled onboard;
[0080] FIG. 5 shows the device in an undeployed state with the extendible line packaged in unextended form;
[0081] FIG. 6 shows a conventional lifejacket ready for a person to wear;
[0082] FIG. 7 shows the interior structure of a conventional lifejacket;
[0083] FIG. 8 shows a device according to the invention retrofitted into the interior of a conventional lifejacket;
[0084] FIG. 9 shows various arrangements for lines and inflatable portions forming the target mesh element; and
[0085] FIG. 10 shows packaging of a line into a package comprising an inner casing and an outer casing.
EXAMPLE OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
[0086] The Man Overboard Recovery System described herein is a system which brings together core components and adapts those technologies to fit into a relatively small package or patch. Due to the ergonomic design, it can be manufactured or retro fitted into lifejackets and other devices without adversely increasing their size or interfering with their operation or effectiveness. Also, it can be manufactured into clothing that users will be more inclined to habitually wear regardless of how benign the conditions may be. This device may remove a considerable number of difficulties and dangers that are manifest for both the casualty and rescuers in such perilous circumstances, reduce the time taken to recover the casualty and, consequently, enhance their chances of survival.
[0087] The device is not intended as a primary buoyancy aid or life preserver although there are buoyant compartments as part of the structure that may offer additional buoyancy and relief to a casualty. However, the device may be incorporated into a buoyancy aid or life preserver.
[0088] Unlike prior art systems, the device utilises the standard equipment available on the vast majority of vessels of all sizes. It embraces natural attributes of wind, water and vessel handling and manoeuvring characteristics to increase the chances of successful capture of the deployed device, thereby maximising the chances of a rescuer safely and quickly recovering a casualty without further risk to themselves.
[0089] FIG. 1 shows a casualty (11) in the water with a deployed device (2) according to the invention. The device comprises a target mesh element (3) which is formed by inflatable portions so that it is kept at or near the surface 13 of the water, riding the surface of the waves. It is attached to a buoyant packed lifting line element (4). A lifting ring (5) is located between the target mesh element and the packed lifting line. In the illustrated embodiment, the target forms a triangle. The device further comprises a tether (6) which attaches to the casualty at a pivot point (7) with the result that the whole device extends away from the casualty by the action of wind and waves (in the direction of arrow 12). The casualty can position themselves so they are facing away from the waves (to minimise the inhalation of spray) without fear of becoming entangled with the device, since the device will tend to extend away from the casualty, downwind or downstream regardless of the direction in which the casualty faces. This is the result of the use of attachment of the device to the casualty at a pivot point and, in this embodiment, the length of lifting line acting as a tether which also spatially separates the deployed device from the casualty and the separate elements.
[0090] This device is deployed when or as the object (in this case a casualty) enters the water. As the target area deploys it provides a large, highly visible area that may be laced with a sufficient quantity of line to capture a boat hook or similar when brought into contact inside the target area.
[0091] FIG. 2 shows a rescue vessel approaches to position downwind of the target at less than 2 knots thus maintaining accurate control of the vessel, providing a more stable platform for the rescuer and reducing the threat to the safety of the casualty. The rescuer then deploys a boat hook (21) or similar to snag the target (3). The hook will also be able to cope with a large relative motion between the vessel and the target without losing contact or risking pulling the rescuer overboard, as well as being effective without any intervention by the casualty. This could, therefore, deal with an unconscious casualty or one who had lost dexterity.
[0092] FIG. 3 shows once snagged and pulled, the lifting line pays out from the lifting line container (4) under a pre-determined and significant, but relatively light, load that both indicates to the rescuer they have firmly captured the target and ensures the line is kept clear of the water thus preventing contact with the propeller or debris.
[0093] The lifting line can be any length. However, a vessel travelling at approximately 1 knot is covering 0.5144 metres per second. Therefore, if there is contained 4-6 metres of line and the target is picked close to and on a parallel course to a deck at 1.5 metres height, the rescuer will have between 3 and 11 seconds after snagging the target (3) and before the full load of the casualty is placed on the target. FIG. 3 shows that, during this time, the rescuer will immediately place the target mesh element over a winch (31), cleat or other strong point ready to take the full load of the casualty. Also, the boat hook can still be left attached to the target, if too entangled for instant release.
[0094] FIG. 4 shows the rescuer bringing the vessel to a halt then fixing a halyard (41) or other lifting apparatus to the highly visible lift ring (5) strong point positioned between the target (3) and the lifting line, the target now sitting misshapen whilst the winch (31) takes the strain of the casualty load via the lifting line (50) which is now fully extended from the packed lifting line element (4). Once the load is taken on the halyard (41) the target (3) is easily lifted or un-snagged from the winch (31) or cleat and released to hang free. The rescuer then pulls in all the slack or moderately loaded line until the full weight of the casualty is borne by the halyard (41) when the casualty comes alongside the vessel. The rescuer then utilises a standard winch and begins the process of lifting the casualty until the casualty can be pulled aboard onto the deck and safety.
[0095] FIG. 5 shows an undeployed device with the target mesh element packaged into a compact unit or pod (8) ready to release the inflatable target mesh element. The same compact pod design is possible with other non-inflatable buoyant materials as would be clear to the skilled person. The attached packaged lifting line (4) and lifting ring (5) are shown attached to the pod (8) with the lifting line acting as a tether (6) linked to the attachment point 7, shown in FIG. 6 as a D-ring (61) (device of the invention not shown).
[0096] FIG. 6 shows a typical inflation type lifejacket packed as would be ready for a person to wear. In this example the gas cylinder and deployment controls are contained in the left side of the image of the lifejacket.
[0097] FIG. 7 shows the same jacket (webbing removed to aid clarity) with the section to the right of the viewer opened out to demonstrate the available space.
[0098] FIG. 8 shows the installation of the device into this space prior to the section of the jacket being closed, and the path of the strong line 6 to connect to the D ring, lifting Becket loop or other strong point within the webbing (not shown).
[0099] FIG. 9 shows non-limiting arrangements for the target mesh element. Lines marked with a heavy line may be formed by or be surrounded by inflatable portions, for example by lengths of Dyneema line surrounded by an inflatable sheath. Dotted lines indicate optional additional lines which may also be inflatable portions, or may be simple lines. Where the lines meet at intersection points, some of which are marked 90, they may be immobilised relative to one another by a knot or other fixing means. Alternatively, where the lines intersect at these points, they may be moveable linked to one another via a loop or other structure allowing relative movement between the lines. However, the benefit of immobilising the lines relative to one another is that, if the target mesh element is engaged via aperture 95 with a boat book, for example, the other apertures in the structure remain open and may more readily be used to engage with a cleat or other part of a boat. Where lines are able to move relative to one another, capture through aperture 95 with a boat hook will tend to result in the collapse of the whole structure, making it more difficult to engage the target mesh element with the boat.
[0100] FIG. 10 shows construction of a lifting line container comprising an inner and an outer casing. The lifting line 100 is first packed into a tube 105 and rubber bungs 106a and 106b are urged onto the ends of the tube 105 in the direction of the arrows H and M, respectively, to form the packaged line in FIG. 10B. The line 100 emerges from the tube via the centre of each bung at points 107a and 107b, respectively. The material of the bungs 106a and 106b make sufficient frictional contact around the line 100 that it cannot slip out of the tube unless it is subjected to a significant longitudinal force in the direction of the arrows I and J, respectively.
[0101] The package shown in FIG. 10B is then compacted by forcing the ends towards one another in the direction of the arrows K and L, to further tightly pack the line 100 within the tube 105 and causing compression at regions 110 of the tube 105. The compressed package is then surrounded by an outer container marked 115 in FIG. 10C. An exterior view of this outer container is shown in FIG. 10D. The outer container 115 may comprise a perforated belt 120 around a circumference of the container, or may comprise points of weakness 125 at various positions in the container material, or both. Either system will enable the material of the outer container to tear or fail in the event that a knot in the line 100 causes strain against the bungs 106a and/or 106b as the line is pulled from the packaging. This strain is relieved by the expansion of the compressed regions 110, which is allowed to occur after a given load by the failure of the outer packaging 115. Therefore, outer packaging 115 acts as a fuse to protect against, or reduce the likelihood of, the displacement of the bungs 106a and/or 106b in the event of non-smooth deployment of the line 100 from the tube 105.
