Compact Powered Rescue Apparatus for Rapid Man Overboard Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for retrieving an unconscious or injured person overboard (MOB) from a boat or shoreline are inefficient and risky, as they require manual intervention, which can cause further injury and is time-consuming, especially in rough waters or cold conditions.
Innovation Solution
A Compact Powered Rescue Apparatus (CPRA) that transforms motorized surf boots into a powered watercraft with a portable stretcher and CO2 inflation system, allowing for quick deployment and propulsion using battery-powered electric marine thrusters, enabling safe and efficient retrieval of casualties while allowing for immediate medical treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rescue methods (jumping overboard, swimming to MOB) are used, then retrieval can be performed, but the operation becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming, especially in rough waters or cold conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical rescue operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm with gripper mechanism automatically grasps the MOB and pulls them onto the boat, eliminating the need for rescuers to manually handle the victim in dangerous conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary (robotic system) between the rescuer and the MOB. This intermediary performs the dangerous task of retrieving the unconscious or injured person, protecting rescuers from exposure to cold water and rough seas while maintaining effective retrieval capability.
2Speed
If jet skis are deployed for water rescue, then faster response is possible, but deployment takes over 20 seconds due to 600 lbs weight, and lifting injured victims onto the craft remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rescue system into a lightweight inflatable boat platform and a separate robotic arm system. This segmentation allows the boat to be quickly deployed and inflated, while the robotic system provides the mechanical capability to retrieve victims without requiring heavy lifting by rescuers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the heavy mechanical system of traditional jet skis with a lightweight inflatable boat combined with an automated robotic arm. This substitution reduces deployment weight and time while maintaining the capability to retrieve unconscious or injured victims through automated grasping and lifting mechanisms.
3Reliability
If rescuers manually handle unconscious or injured MOB, then retrieval is possible, but additional injury risk increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual human handling with an automated robotic arm system. The robotic gripper can be precisely controlled to grasp and lift the MOB without the rough handling that occurs during manual rescue operations, significantly reducing the risk of additional injury to unconscious or injured victims.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system performs the rescue operation autonomously without requiring direct physical contact from human rescuers. The automated gripper and positioning mechanisms handle the entire retrieval process, minimizing human intervention and the associated risk of causing additional injury to the MOB.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The CPRA enables rapid and safe retrieval of unconscious or injured individuals by reducing deployment time to less than 8 seconds, compared to traditional jet skis, and allows for immediate medical treatment while minimizing physical effort and risk of injury to rescuers.
Implementation Method 1
Thanks to an innovative CO2 inflation system CPRA can be deployed, automatically inflated, and ready to ride in just a few seconds
Implementation Method 2
propelling the apparatus by a pair of battery powered electric marine thrusters
Implementation Method 3
Once the pair of skis are inflated and buoyant within a few seconds
Data Source
AI summary
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 CO2 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.