GB2453784A

GB2453784A - Emergency buoy and line system

Info

Publication number: GB2453784A
Application number: GB0720496A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Joseph Mccaig
Original assignee: SAFETY SOLUTIONS
Current assignee: SAFETY SOLUTIONS
Priority date: 2007-10-21
Filing date: 2007-10-21
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-21
Also published as: GB0720496D0; GB2453784B; HK1131112A1

Abstract

An emergency buoy and line system comprises a line of buoys connected together by rope or wire lines to form a floating barrier. In use the lines of buoys would extend from the shore at the end of a runway that has a body of water at its end. Passengers escaping an aircraft fuselage suspended in water as the result of a crash would swim or drift with the current to the highly visible buoys. The lines of buoys may be placed slightly wider as the distance from the runway end increases. The system can be placed out into the body of water to a distance of 100 metres from the shore, depending on the sea state and rescue resources available. The system can be used by escaping passengers as a buoyancy aid until the arrival of the professional maritime emergency services. The system also allows passengers who are able to move along the suspended wire stretched between the buoys back to the shore. The suspended wire between the buoys may be kept afloat by a series of smaller floats. The buoys may be illuminated as a warning to shipping. Furthermore, illuminated buoys also make the system visible in poor weather and night time dark conditions.

Description

EMERGENCY BUOY AND LINE SYSTEM

The Emergency Buoy and Line System was invented as an aid to escaping passengers who had survived an aircraft crashing into the sea or other body of water.

Passengers escaping an aircraft fuselage suspended in water as the result of a crash would swim or drift with the current to the highly visible Emergency Buoys. The position of the first line of the Emergency Buoys are placed out into the sea, lake, loch or fjord in line with the runway edges. The subsequent lines of Emergency Buoys are placed slightly wider as the distance from the runway end increases. The Emergency Buoy and Line System can be placed out into the water to a distance of up to 100 metres depending on the sea state and rescue resources available to rescue the escaping passengers.

The Emergency Buoy and Line System can be used by escaping passengers as a buoyancy aid until the arrival of the professional maritime emergency services. The system also allows passengers who are physically capable, to move along the suspended wire line stretched between the highly visible buoys back to the shore. Furthermore, passengers are capable of suspending themselves onto the system by placing an arm over the suspended wire. By doing so, they remain afloat despite any injury incurred in the accident and are in a position to allow shore rescue teams to throw a range of rescue floating lines and bags to them. The suspended wire between the buoys is kept afloat by a series of smaller floats.

The Emergency Buoys are illuminated as a warning to shipping and other marine traffic in the area. Furthermore, illuminated buoys also make the system visible in poor weather and night time dark conditions.

The Emergency Buoys are kept in position by substantial weights or sinkers'. The weight of these sinkers' is dependent on the current involved in the body of water, the normal weight of sinker would be three tons to ensure that the buoys would not be moved by tidal condition. In addition, the buoys used to define and suspend the system must be kept in place by heavy chains from the sinkers'.

Depending on the size of aircraft, the Emergency Buoy and Line System could prevent the aircraft drifting downstream. Keeping the aircraft in the original position would allow the rescue services to congregate in the nearest position to the crash scene to undertake the rescue operation.

The buoys used in the system must stand 0.8 metre above the surface of the water. The buoys used must be constructed of metal and be capable of holding the attached cables level with the surface of the water. A metal ring must be securely attached to allow the cables to be secured and to be kept at surface level by use of a series of smaller highly visible floats. By using cables instead of rope line, it is envisaged that the amount of marine growth will be minimal. The flashing light on the outer buoys marking the beginning of the Emergency Buoy System must meet the relevant Maritime Agency's Regulations. To meet the United Kingdom's maritime requirements, the outer buoy' must be FlR4s (Flash Intermittent every 4 seconds). The outer buoy markers must stand 1.2 metres above the surface of the water.

The buoy illumination system is solar powered batteries. The solar panels will allow the required flashes required throughout the hours of darkness as far as Latitude 56° North. It is possible to illuminate the buoys by electrical mains cable providing that the required stand of electrical protection can be met for the metal buoys suspended in water.

The system can be secured to the land (beach, rocks, grass etc.) which will allow the less injured escaping passengers to move hand-over-hand along the length of the system to land and ultimate safety.

Claims

Emergency Buoy and Line System Claims 1. This system does not currently exist anywhere in the
2. This system will allow escaping passengers to stay afloat whilst awaiting rescue.
3. This system is simple to maintain and always ready for use.
4. No specialised training is required to use the system.
5. Escaping passengers will automatically head for the floats for self preservation.
6. The system allows the responding emergency services to concentrate their resources in one position to affect a rapid rescue of survivors.
7. With the correct illumination, the system does not pose a hazard to shipping and other maritime traffic.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. An aircraft runway emergency buoy and line system comprising a line of buoys connected together by rope or wire lines to form a floating barrier, wherein during use the lines of buoys are positioned such that they extend across a body of water at the end of a runway such that passengers escaping an aircraft fuselage suspended in water as the result of a crash are able to swim or drift with the current to the line of buoys. * ** * * I * I.
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