Removable device for repelling marine mammals, such as orcas, intended to be fitted to a ship's rudder.

Abstract

Removable device for repelling marine mammals, such as orcas, intended for use on a ship's rudder. The invention relates to a removable device (1) for repelling marine mammals, such as orcas, intended for use on a ship's rudder, comprising: - at least one flexible support (2), preferably elastic, the length of which is adapted to surround an outer surface of a portion of a ship's rudder, the flexible support incorporating a plurality of prongs (3) distributed along its length, - at least one removable fastening element (4) for the flexible support in a configuration where it surrounds the outer surface of a portion of a ship's rudder. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Removable device for repelling marine mammals, such as orcas, intended to be fitted to a ship's rudder. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ship equipment and accessories, more particularly pleasure craft.

[0002] The invention is mainly aimed at providing a simple, effective and quick solution to be implemented by a person such as a boater to repel one or more marine mammals, such as orcas. Previous technique

[0003] For some years now, there has been a recurrence of attacks on pleasure craft, more particularly sailboats, by orcas.

[0004] Although the motives for the behavior of these cetaceans are not currently fully understood by scientists, the recorded attacks reveal significant damage, particularly to the hulls or rudders of ships which can be completely disintegrated and thus render the ships inoperable.

[0005] These attacks frighten navigators who fear for the integrity of their ships and even their lives.

[0006] Several solutions to prevent these attacks or at least reduce their impact have been considered.

[0007] One solution that immediately comes to mind is to try to reinforce the rudders and hulls. Beyond the associated cost and the reduced performance of the vessel due to the added weight, the major risk of this solution is that the orcas will continue to attack for longer and with greater force. The resulting structural damage could be insurmountable, especially in the event of a leak in the vessel.

[0008] The use of a Japanese whaling and dolphin hunting technique called Oikomi has also been reported. This technique involves striking metal pipes to frighten the whales and drive them into a cove where they are then killed. Some biologists have partially submerged metal pipes around a vessel and struck them with hammers. It has been observed that orcas strongly dislike this noise and leave the area. It is clear that, in addition to the inherent risks of this technique, bringing such pipes on board a pleasure craft and striking them in a context of stress related to orca attacks is not practical for recreational boaters.

[0009] Some people have mentioned the use of explosives in the form of firecrackers, intended to bring underwater divers back to the surface in case of an emergency. These techniques are illegal under the protection of killer whales in Spain and Portugal. Most importantly, underwater firecrackers risk damaging the orcas' echolocation system, which would likely lead to their death.

[0010] Finally, there are acoustic cetacean repellents that have already been commercialized. These devices are normally used to keep dolphins and whales away during fishing operations in order to avoid accidental catches.

[0011] An acoustic deterrent device, marketed under the name "ADP pinger," has been specifically designed to reduce damage caused by cetaceans to fishing gear. It has proven effective in preventing orca attacks on pleasure craft. In practice, this device is designed to be attached to a weighted line, which is towed behind a vessel.

[0012] Other fishing equipment manufacturers are beginning to take an interest in this new market and are offering tags that emit on frequencies specific to orcas.

[0013] Besides their high cost, it appears from individual experiences, particularly from some boaters, that acoustic repellent devices, in particular "pinger ADP", do not have the desired effect because attacks have taken place despite the use of these devices.

[0014] There is therefore a need for a simple, effective and quick solution that can be implemented by a person such as a boater to repel one or more marine mammals, such as orcas.

[0015] The object of the invention is to meet at least partially this need. Description of the invention

[0016] To this end, the invention relates, in one of its aspects, to a removable device for repelling marine mammals, such as orcas, intended to be fitted to a ship's rudder, comprising:

[0017] - at least one flexible support, preferably elastic, of suitable length to surround an outer surface of part of a ship's rudder, the flexible support incorporates a plurality of studs distributed along its length,

[0018] - at least one removable fastening element of the flexible support in a configuration where it surrounds the outer surface of part of a ship's rudder.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the flexible support consists of two adjoining flexible strips, preferably glued together, between which the head of each stud is held.

[0020] Preferably, the flexible bands are made of elastomer, preferably rubber.

[0021] Preferably, the spikes are blunt points at their free end.

[0022] The pins can be either metallic or made of synthetic material (plastic or other synthetic material).

[0023] The device preferably includes, as a removable fastening element, a closure system comprising two bands which hook together when pressed against each other.

[0024] Advantageously, the studs protrude from the flexible support by a height of between 10 and 50 mm.

[0025] Even more advantageously, the studs are regularly spaced along the length at a distance of between 5 and 20 cm.

[0026] The invention also relates to a ship's rudder, equipped with at least one removable device as described above.

[0027] Preferably, the closure system is arranged on the trailing edge and fixing the elastic support by putting it under tension.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rudder comprises a plurality of removable devices of different lengths, distributed preferably regularly along the rope and substantially horizontally.

[0029] Thus, the invention essentially consists of a removable device for equipping a ship's rudder which makes it possible to prevent orcas from damaging the latter, and to repel them.

[0030] The flexible support is preferably elastic so that it can be put under tension when it is put in place on the rudder.

[0031] In the end, the removable device according to the invention is simple, inexpensive and quick to install on any type of ship's rudder, more particularly on a sailboat.

[0032] A device according to the invention can be fitted to any type of rudder, the dimensions being adapted to those of the rudder.

[0033] Other advantages and features of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of examples of implementation of the invention given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the following figures. Brief description of the drawings

[0034] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective and exploded view of an example removable device according to the invention, intended to equip a ship's rudder.

[0035] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of an example of a flexible elastic support for a removable device according to the invention.

[0036] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of a ship's rudder equipped with a removable device according to the invention.

[0037] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a ship's rudder equipped with several removable devices according to the invention. Detailed description

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 show a removable device 1 intended to be fitted to a ship's rudder for the purpose of repelling cetaceans, such as attacking orcas.

[0039] This device 1 includes first of all a flexible elastic support 2, the length of which is adapted to surround an outer surface of a part of a ship's rudder.

[0040] This flexible support 2 incorporates a plurality of protrusions 3 distributed along its length and projecting outwards. Each 3 is preferably in the form of a blunt point 30 so as not to injure the cetacean that might come into contact with it.

[0041] The device 1 also includes a removable fixing element 4 of the flexible support in a configuration where it surrounds the outer surface of a part of a ship's rudder.

[0042] As shown in [Fig. 2], the flexible support 2 can consist of two joined flexible strips 20, preferably glued together. These can be elastomeric strips, in particular rubber.

[0043] The head 31 of each pin 3 is thus held between these two bands 20.

[0044] As a removable fastening element, a locking system 4 may be provided two strips 40, 41 which hook together when pressed against each other. These may be strips sold under the name Velcro®.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a rudder 10 equipped with a removable device 1 as described.

[0046] The bands 40, 41 of the closure system 4 are arranged on either side of the edge leakage of the rudder and fixes the elastic support 2 by putting it under tension.

[0047] As shown in [Fig.4], a plurality of removable devices 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 of different lengths are distributed, preferably regularly along the rudder chord and substantially horizontally.

[0048] Other variants and embodiments may be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0049] The type of flexible support, the type, dimensions and number of studs as well as the type of removable fixing element for each removable device can be adapted as desired.

Claims

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. Demands Removable device (1) for repelling marine mammals, such as orcas, intended to be fitted to a ship's rudder, comprising: - at least one flexible support (2), preferably elastic, the length of which is suitable to surround an outer surface of part of a ship's rudder, the flexible support incorporating a plurality of studs (3) distributed along its length, - at least one removable fixing element (4) of the flexible support in a configuration where it surrounds the outer surface of part of a ship's rudder. Removable device (1) according to claim 1, the flexible support consisting of two joined flexible strips (20), preferably glued together, between which the head (31) of each pin is held. Removable device (1) according to claim 2, the flexible bands being made of elastomer, preferably rubber. Removable device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the prongs being blunt points at their free end (30). Removable device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, as a removable fastening element, a closure system (4) comprising two bands (40, 41) which hook together when pressed against each other. Removable device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the prongs protruding from the flexible support by a height of between 10 and 50 mm. Removable device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the studs being regularly spaced along the length by a distance of between 5 and 20 cm. Ship rudder, equipped with at least one removable device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Ship rudder according to claim 8, the closure system being arranged on the trailing edge and fixing the elastic support by putting it under tension. Ship's rudder according to claim 8 or 9, comprising a plurality of removable devices of different lengths, distributed, preferably regularly along the rope and roughly horizontally.