WO2010068973A1

WO2010068973A1 - A rescue and retrieving device

Info

Publication number: WO2010068973A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001621
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Charles Wright
Original assignee: Jomune Pty Limited
Priority date: 2008-12-15
Filing date: 2009-12-15
Publication date: 2010-06-24
Also published as: AU2009328626A1; AU2009328626B2

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a device for rescuing or retrieving objects floating or semi submerged in the water from a vessel. The device of the invention includes an attachment means for attaching a device to the side of the vessel. The device also includes a net having a body, a luff portion, a leech portion, a foot portion and an outer head portion where the foot portion is secured to the attachment means so that the body of the net can be extended outward into water from the vessel. The invention also includes at least one rigid pole attachable to the outer head portion of the net in a manner so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly from the foot portion of the net using this rigid pole or poles. The net has a weighted luff portion relative to the body of the net to sink the luff and form a scoop with a mouth arranged to capture the object to be retrieved within the net on propelling the vessel and scoop towards and into contact with this object.

Description

A RESCUE AND RETRIEVING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a rescue and retrieving device for objects, marine animals or people in water from a vessel; and a method for rescuing or retrieving same.

The invention has particular utility for rescuing and retrieving objects using small power boats and inflatable power boats ("inflatables") and in particular vessels used for rescue or retrieval purposes which do not have a mast to act as a lifting point.

BACKGROUND ART

This specification provides enhancement in respect of the invention of International PCT Application No. PCT/AU2008/001370 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

When there is an object floating at or near the surface in open water, to retrieve that object it is necessary for a vessel to position itself near the object and engage the object (typically by its surface feature/s) such that it can be lifted or hoisted on board the vessel.

This can be difficult if the object is heavy and/or has a slick surface with few features that can be readily engaged or grasped.

This can lead to the situation where the object cannot be brought on board the vessel and instead must be towed to a facility having superior lifting equipment.

Where the object is a person the task of retrieval is particularly restricted to means that are not likely to pierce or otherwise injure the person. A similar situation occurs with marine animals captured for scientific study or tagging where the animal is not to be harmed. In some prior methods of retrieval it has been necessary for the crew of the recovery vessel to personally reach the object and physically manhandle it on board the recovery vessel. This requires significant physical strength on the part of the rescuers and can put the rescuers in danger of being lost overboard in the recovery process, particularly in rough seas. Additionally, the effort required in lifting the object on board the vessel can result in the object being unceremoniously dumped onto the deck of the vessel. Where the object is a person, such handling can be detrimental to their health, particularly as they may already be injured from the cause or process of their being in open water in the first place.

Furthermore, this type of manual lifting or manhandling operation can put significant stress on the lower backs of the persons doing the lifting.

Through having to lift a wet load almost directly upwards, the people involved with such lifting operations run the risk of potential injury to their muscles, joints and possibly may suffer lower back injuries.

It would be desirable to provide a rescue and retrieving device for objects and people that ameliorates or overcomes one or more known disadvantages of existing techniques or that may provide a useful alternative to them.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for rescuing or retrieving objects floating or semi submersed in water from a vessel including :

an attachment means for attaching the device to the side of a vessel;

a net having : a body, a luff portion, a leech portion, a foot portion; and an outer head portion; the foot portion being secured to the attachment means so that the remainder of the net can be extended outwardly into the water; and at least one rigid pole attachable to the outer head portion in a manner so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly from the foot portion;

wherein the net has a weighted luff portion relative to the body of the net to sink the front of the net and form a scoop with a mouth arranged to capture the object within the net on propelling the vessel and scoop towards and into contact with the object.

Preferably, a foreguy is attachable to the outer head or luff portion of the net and fixed anteriorly towards the bow of the vessel to facilitate extending the net outwardly from the side of the vessel and maintaining the net in an opened scoop configuration.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for rescuing or retrieving objects from water using a device which includes a net having a body, luff portion, leech portion, foot portion and outer head portion, wherein the net has a weighted luff portion relative to the body of the net, and a rigid pole attached to the outer head portion of the net, said method being characterised by the steps of:

i) extending the outer head portion of the net outwardly from a vessel using the rigid pole so that the weighted luff portion of the net sinks below the water and forms the mouth of a scoop to capture the object within the net on propelling the vessel and scoop towards and into contact with the object; and ii) performing a parbuckling operation to draw the object captured by the net on board the vessel.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for rescuing or retrieving objects from water using a device which includes a net having a body, luff portion, leech portion, foot portion and outer head portion, wherein the net has a weighted luff portion relative to the body of the net, and a rigid pole attached to the outer head portion of the net, said method being characterised by the steps of: i) attaching the device to the side of a vessel using an attachment means; ii) attaching at least one rigid pole to the outer head portion of the net; and iii) extending the outer head portion of the net outwardly from the vessel using said at least one rigid pole so that the weighted luff portion of the net sinks below the water and forms the mouth of a scoop to capture the object within the net on propelling the vessel and scoop towards and into contact with the object.

In this manner, the device functions as a scoop to capture an object or person immersed within the water in a net. Thereafter the method involves lifting or parbuckling the object towards and onboard the vessel.

Reference in general throughout the specification would be made to the invention being used to rescue or retrieve an object formed by a human body and in particular a live person who may be in some difficulty in the water. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that a number of alternative applications are considered for the present invention and reference to its use to rescue a 'man' overboard or swimmers in trouble should not be seen as limiting.

For example, in some embodiments emergency services may employ the present invention to retrieve corpses from waterways with minimal disturbance to any of the state of the corpse or any evidence of criminal activity associated with same.

In yet other embodiments the present invention may be employed to retrieve, capture or otherwise restrain marine animals without injuring or unduly stressing the animal. For example, in some instances the present invention may be employed in the scientific study of large fish or marine mammals to allow measurements to be made of a captured specimen and for identification or tracking tags to be applied without injuring or unduly stressing the animal. The present invention consists of and incorporates a number of improvements made to an earlier rescue and retrieval device as disclosed in

PCT Patent Application No. PCT/AU2008/001370. This prior application also describes the provision of a device with a net having a body luff portion, leech portion, foot portion and outer head portion where the net also includes a preferentially weighted luff portion arranged to form the mouth of a scoop defined by the net as a vessel moves in a forward direction. The present invention incorporates a number of common elements of this prior device and the disclosures made in PCT/AU2008/001370 are herein incorporated by reference.

The present invention operates in general by having the net form a scoop shaped component where the luff of the net defines the open mouth of this scoop. By preferentially weighting the luff portion relative to the body of the net, the luff sinks to form this mouth. The luff is weighted relative to the body of the net through the provision of one or more discreet stand alone elements of material which have a density higher than that of salt water. Such stand alone discreet weights are associated with the luff either through being connected to the luff or are potentially enclosed within a pocket or channel defined within the luff. A weight used by the present invention, due to its discreet stand alone nature, does not have any connection or association with a rigid pole used to extend the body of the net outward from the foot portion of the net.

In a preferred embodiment the luff of the net may form or define a pocket configured to receive one or more weights. For example, in one preferred embodiment a metal chain may be disposed within such a pocket which runs substantially the length of the luff to continuously weight the luff relative to the body and/or leech of the net.

In one alternative embodiment both the luff and the leech may include equivalent or symmetrical retention systems for weights so that the device may be attached to either the port or the starboard side of a vessel. For example, in one specific embodiment, both the luff and the leech may each define a single continuous pocket running the length of both the luff and the leech which is capable of receiving a metal chain. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that references to the "leech" being provided with such a weight receiving pocket are given for identification purposes only, and it should be readily understood that reversing the side of the vessel in which the device is attached will in turn reverse the relative orientations of the net's luff and leech.

In use, the device provided by the present invention can be removably attached to the side or gunwale of a vessel or in other instances may be permanently attached to the side or gunwale of the vessel.

For example, in one embodiment an attachment means may be formed by at least two rope ties associated with the foot end of the device which can be used to tie the device onto the vessel.

In another embodiment the device may have a static or permanent installation on a vessel, where components of the device may be permanently mounted or bolted on or adjacent to the side of the vessel.

The present invention may also preferably include a foreguy fixed anteriorly to the bow of the vessel with one terminal end of the foreguy and at its opposite end to the luff or head portion of the net. The foreguy through its attachments near or at the bow acts to resist the dragging force of water moving over the deployed opened net which would close the scoop shaped form of the net. The foreguy can act to maintain the scoop at substantially a right angle to the gunwale and prevent the net from being dragged backwards by the motion of the vessel.

In a preferred embodiment, the device provided in accordance with the present invention may also incorporate a head batten. A head batten may be formed by a buoyant length of material. Preferably the head batten can run the length of the net's outer head portion. In a further preferred embodiment, the head batten may be formed from or incorporate a length of fibre glass material. A length of fibre glass material has a relatively low density and therefore can contribute to the buoyancy of the head batten. In a preferred embodiment, a head batten may incorporate at least one float. A float may be formed by material which have a density less than fresh water, such as, for example foam rubber. In some instances a number of separate float elements may be deployed along the length of the head batten or alternatively a single large float may be provided in association with the head batten.

In some embodiments, the present invention may also incorporate or provide a stretcher. A stretcher may be releasably or removably fastened to the device adjacent to the foot portion of the net. This positioning of a stretcher places it in a convenient location to receive any objects or potentially persons or bodies retrieved by way of a parbuckling operation. Once an object or body is received into the stretcher, the stretcher may be released from its fastenings for transportation.

In some embodiments, a stretcher provided in accordance with the present invention may incorporate two rigid rods or poles arranged to provide structural rigidity to the stretcher, where a central panel is provided as a main means of supporting a person between these two poles. Preferably, a circumferential line, strap, cord or webbing may run around the perimeter of the stretcher, thereby providing a convenient handle at both the head and the foot of the stretcher, allowing it to be manoeuvred through narrow or confined spaces easily. Preferably, the material of the main body of the stretcher may also include have cut away or cut out sections which also allow this circumferential line or strap to function as or provide a set of handles on the sides of the stretcher.

In some embodiments the stretcher may include or be associated with at least one harness. A harness may form or define a loop of material which has a variable circumference, allowing the harness to be used in a number of applications. For example in one embodiment, a harness can be looped over and around the stretcher when the stretcher is enclosed by the circumference of the harness then reduced to secure an occupant of the stretcher to the stretcher. In other embodiments, a harness may be worn as a weight supporting shoulder sash by a person tasked with lifting one end of the stretcher, with the end of the harness remote from the shoulder of this person being connected to the stretcher. In such a role the harness may assist in supporting the weight of the object located in the stretcher when lifted.

In some embodiments, the present invention may include a plurality of parbuckling handles deployed on one side of the body of the net. Such parbuckling handles may be employed to allow the net to be manually pulled on board a vessel once an object is caught by the scoop shaped arrangement of the net. These parbuckling handles may therefore be deployed on the bottom side of the net which is not in contact with any object captured by the net.

Such parbuckling handles may be arranged in a series of sets with a set of handles running substantially the length of the foot portion of the net and with each set aligned parallel to the foot portion. In such embodiments, a series of sets of handles may be deployed on the underside of the body of the net running out from the luff and towards the leech of the net. These sets of handles may be used consecutively during a parbuckling operation to effectively roll up and pull the net and its contents on board a vessel.

In one further embodiment a set of parbuckling handles may include three handles.

Parbuckling handles may in some embodiments be provided as the sole element of the invention used to perform or assist in the performance of a parbuckling operation. In other embodiments, parbuckling handles may be provided for use in combination with other elements of the invention which are also employed to perform a parbuckling operation. In yet further embodiments, parbuckling handles may not be used in a parbuckling operation.

The present invention includes at least one rigid pole which is attachable to the outer head portion of the net in a manner so that the body of the net can be extended outward from the foot portion of the net. A rigid pole used in conjunction with the present invention may therefore be described as a jockey pole used to jockey or manoeuvre the outer head portion of the net outwards from a vessel, or inwards towards a vessel as required during operation of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may include two rigid poles forming a pair of jockey poles, with the end of one of these poles attached to the outer head portion of the net adjacent to the luff of the net, and the second of these poles having an end attached to the outer head portion adjacent to the leech of the net. This pair of poles can therefore be used to manoeuvre or jockey the entire length of the net's head portion as required to operate the invention.

In some embodiments the rigid jockey pole or poles used may be arranged in a manually operated configuration with one end of a pole attached to the net's outer head portion and the second end of the pole being free and capable of being grasped by an operator. Jockey poles arranged for use in such a manual configuration can therefore be pushed outwards away from the side of vessel to open the net or pulled back in towards the vessel to close the net in anticipation of a parbuckling operation.

Preferably, in such arrangements or configurations of the invention, a pair of manually operated jockey poles may be provided for use by two operators of the invention. These manual jockey poles may be formed from relatively light weight materials such as fibre glass and in some instances may also include one or more floats to provide the pole with buoyancy if it is accidently dropped in the water. Those skilled in the art should also appreciate that this manually operated form of the invention may in some instances include a single rigid jockey pole only.

In alternative embodiments, one or more rigid poles employed in conjunction of the present invention may not necessarily have a manual arrangement or configuration. In such embodiments, an arrangement of one or more static or permanently installed jockey poles may be employed, where a static jockey pole can be permanently pivotably connected to or associated with one side or gunwale of the vessel.

For example, in such an embodiment with static jockey poles, each of these poles may be pivotally connected to some form of support stanchion permanently mounted to the side gunwale or potentially within the cockpit of the vessel at one end of the jockey pole. The opposite end of the jockey pole may be engaged or associated with the head of a net, so that by pivoting the net end of the jockey pole upwards and in towards the vessel, the net in turn will be pulled in towards the vessel. Conversely, by pivoting downwards or lowering the jockey pole this will in turn deploy the net and open it into its scoop shaped configuration.

In a preferred embodiment a static jockey pole may have a parbuckling line associated with it. The drawing of this parbuckling line towards the vessel can in turn raise the static jockey pole to pull the body of the net in towards the vessel. Conversely, the release of this parbuckling line can allow the jockey pole to pivot outwards and down to extend the body of the net away from the vessel. Such a parbuckling line may run to at least the end of the static jockey pole attached to the outer head portion of the net.

In a further preferred embodiment, such a parbuckling line may run to the end of the static jockey pole attached to the head of the net and then subsequently through the inside of the pole back towards the vessel. In such embodiments running the parbuckling line back towards the vessel inside the static jockey pole allows a section of this parbuckling line to be removably engaged with the jockey pole near to the end of the jockey pole attached to the vessel. By running the parbuckling line back towards the vessel inside the jockey pole, this allows the parbuckling line to be tied off on a cleat or other similar form of removable engagement mechanism which is positioned at a location which can be easily reached by an operator. Fixing a portion of the parbuckling line relative to the static jockey poles, allows the static pole to be raised to lift the net of the present invention. In a further preferred embodiment where static jockey poles are employed by the invention, a parbuckling operation may be completed in two operational phases. As a first step, the parbuckling line may be cleated or otherwise fixed near the bottom or vessel end of the jockey pole, with a terminal end of the parbuckling line being connected to the net displaced from the head portion of the net.

In this first phase of a parbuckling operation, the parbuckling line may be drawn in towards the vessel to raise the jockey pole involved.

In a subsequent phase of the parbuckling operation, the removable connection of the parbuckling line to the jockey pole can be released and the parbuckling line pulled further in towards the vessel. This subsequent operation will then allow the terminal end of the parbuckling line to pull the section of the net attached towards the head portion of the net and thereby gather in the body of the net towards the vessel.

This two stage parbuckling operation used with static jockey poles allows the net to be firstly raised and then subsequently gathered in. A winch such as a brake hand winch may be employed to draw the parbuckling line towards the vessel, thereby allowing relatively heavy objects to be smoothly and easily landed on board a vessel using the present invention.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for rescuing or retrieving objects floating or semi submerged in water from a vessel including : an attachment means for attaching the device to the side of a vessel; a net having a body, a foot portion, an outer head portion, and two ends disposed between the foot portion and the outer head portion, the foot portion being secured to the attachment means so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly into the water; at least one rigid pole attachable to the outer head portion in a manner so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly from the foot portion; a plurality of parbuckling handles deployed on one side of the body of the net, said handles being arranged to allow the net to be manually pulled on board the vessel.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device substantially as described above which includes a series of sets of parbuckling handles, each set of handles running substantially the length of the foot portion of the net and being aligned parallel to the foot portion of the net.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device substantially as described above wherein a set of parbuckling handles includes three parbuckling handles.

In some embodiments, the present invention may be configured or adapted for use with vessels which have no means of propulsion. For example, in some instances the present invention may be arranged for us in conjunction with life rafts, barges or docks and wharfs. In such embodiments the ends of the net described with respect to prior embodiments as the luff and leech of the net will simply form two opposed open ends of the net.

Furthermore, in such embodiments, either of these opposed ends of the net may be capable of receiving a person or other object in the water and therefore these open ends need not be differentially weighted with respect to one another. For example, in some embodiments a weighting system may be deployed in association with each open end of the net and may apply an equal weighting effect to each of these ends. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the weighting systems or mechanisms discussed previously with respect to other embodiments may also be employed in conjunction with this embodiment.

In such embodiments the device may include two substantially rigid manually operated jockey poles. This arrangement of the rigid poles allows the net of the device to be manually pushed open by operators, leaving both ends of the net open and capable of receiving an object to be captured. A similar parbuckling operation may then be completed as discussed with respect to alternative embodiments, with a parbuckling handle or handles being grasped and preferably rolled into the vessel to retrieve any objects captured manually within the net.

In some embodiments, the device of the present invention may also incorporate or be provided with a boathook and lasso system. In such embodiments an auxiliary jockey pole may be provided with a boathook end assembly which allows a lasso formed by a weighted line to be extended out into the water and looped around a person or object to be captured and retrieved in conjunction with the present invention. This loop may preferably be performed through an eyelet or spliced plastic thimble for example, which allows the weighted line or rope provided to be looped back onto itself and preferably lightly taped or otherwise adhered to the pole a short distance from the boathook.

This arrangement of lasso system thereby allows an object or person in the water to be captured by the loop of weighted line, with the line subsequently drawn taut to close the loop and break its adhesion to the jockey pole adjacent to the eyelet or thimble provided. The far end of the loop can then be dropped from the end of the boathook and the free section of weighted line which has secured the object or person can then be used to draw same into the net.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "comprising" has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of "including at least" rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of "consisting only of". The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as "comprise", "comprises" and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is now discussed with reference to drawings, where: Figure 1 shows a plan view of one embodiment of the invention when configured with static jockey poles;

Figure 2A and 2B shows side and side expanded views of the static device illustrated with respect to Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows the operation of the device illustrated with respect to

Figure 3 in the final stage of a parbuckling operation;

Figure 4 illustrates the construction and arrangement of a hollow jockey pole and associated parbuckling line used in the embodiment shown with respect to Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention which employs manually operated jockey poles and includes an optional stretcher feature;

Figure 6 is an underside view of the device illustrated with respect to Figure 5;

Figures 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d show a series of side views illustrating the method of use of the device discussed with respect to Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 shows details of an optional stretcher feature capable of integration within the devices illustrated with respect to Figures 1 to 7; and

Figures 9 and 10 show a boathook head and lasso arrangement of a further optional feature capable of integration within the devices described with respect to Figures 1 to 7.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Generally, the invention concerns a rescue and retrieving device for objects and especially people in water from a vessel; and a method for rescuing or retrieving such objects and has particular utility for rescuing and retrieving objects using small power boats and inflatables and particularly those used for rescue purposes which do not have a mast to act as a lifting point.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of various specific embodiments. In these embodiments, the components of the device - the luff, the leech, the net and foreguy may remain essentially unchanged form previous embodiments described in the preceding aforementioned Application No. PCT/AU2008/001370. However, different applications of the invention necessitate different specific embodiments thereof.

EXAMPLE 1

The first embodiment 1 of the invention is structured to adapt for use with powerboats. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention which employs static jockey poles. For powerboats the shape of the net becomes more rectangular as shown in Figure 1 with a head batten 2 that is approximately equal in length to the foot 3. In some circumstances the leech 4 can be made shorter than the luff 5 to help generate a ^λscoop' shape. The head batten 2 is constructed of fibreglass and is enclosed in a long cylinder of closed cell foam to add floatation. In other embodiments the head batten may be constructed from plastic or aluminium tubing.

Instead of a mast used for the purpose of lifting the person or load onto a yacht, a mechanism involving two support stanchions 6 (see Figures 2a and 2b) formed by demountable aluminium gunwale posts approximately 2 meters in length and 50 mm in diameter is used.

Each demountable gunwale post is inserted into an aluminium or stainless steel pipe 7 with an aperture of approximately 55-60 mm in diameter. Each of these pipes 7 is placed approximately 1.8 meters apart through a hole in the cockpit gunwale and each is extended down to a fixed point on the cockpit floor to give structural integrity. The demountable post is locked or bolted in position to prevent any rotation. A static forward jockey pole 8 is used to hold the device open to create a scoop. This jockey pole is formed from strong aluminium or carbon fibre tube, which is attached at its outer end 10 to the forward end of the head of the net 9 or the head batten 2. The opposite end is attached to the base 11 of the forward gunwale post via a gooseneck attached to a sleeve, which is free to rotate around the post.

The same set of components are provided for attaching one end of the aft jockey pole to the aft end of the head of the net or floating head batten, and the opposite end to the aft gunwale post via a rotating sleeve and gooseneck.

As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, a parbuckling line 12 is run from the outerboard end 10 of each static jockey pole through a pulley on the top of each gunwale post 6. The parbuckling line 12 is then led down through a rope jamming mechanism (not shown) to a winch 13 located near the base of each post.

The parbuckling line 12 allows the head batten 2 to be held just above the surface of the water thus creating a scoop. The lifting mechanism used is a winch 13 but this could also be a block and tackle system in other embodiments.

The aft end of the scoop can be closed by either additional netting material or by raising the aft jockey pole to help prevent an object captured being lost through the aft end of the scoop.

In an alternative embodiment the aft end of the scoop can be provided with a relatively strong resilient line, such as a shock cord, that maintains tension in the aft end that tends to close the aft end to help prevent the object being lost out the aft end during the scooping procedure.

A foreguy 14 can be rigged from a point on the leading edge of the net 9 or the floating head batten 2 and led to a strong point on the bow to prevent the net being swept backwards by the motion of the boat. Once the person is captured and netted both jockey poles 8 are raised to a vertical position by winching or pulling on the parbuckling lines 12.

A parbuckling operation is completed by pulling on parbuckling lines 12 which pass down the centre of each jockey pole 8 to each end of the floating head batten 2 via a pulley 15 and then through a series of eyelets

16 to a fixed terminal point 17 to position the parbuckling line 12 near the centre of the luff and leech respectively. These features are illustrated with respect to Figure 4. This results in the person being lifted to the gunwale whilst the luff and leech of the net become progressively gathered or folded like a Venetian blind at the top of each pole, as shown in Figure 3. Once again the lifting mechanism can be a winch, such as a brake hand winch or a block and tackle system.

In a preferred adaptation the static jockey pole lifting and final parbuckling can be achieved with a single line as shown in Figure 4. The parbuckling line 12 (which can preferably be either Dynex or Spectra) is led from its terminal fixed position 17 on the luff and leech up through the eyelets 16 to the pulley 15 on the outboard end of the static jockey pole 8 and down the inside of the pole to another small block 18 which is fixed inside the pole at its inboard end. After passing through this block, a second Spectra rope 19 (that preferably is red) is spliced into the continuous line and led out of the pole through an aperture to a separate jamming mechanism 20. The continuous line is then led back up the inside of the pole to an exit box pulley 21. During the initial pole lifting stage of the parbuckling operation the line 12 is kept cleated off. When the poles are vertical the line is released to allow the net 9 to be gathered in during the second phase of the parbuckling operation.

EXAMPLE 2

A second embodiment 100 shown with respect to Figures 5 to 8, is for application with inflatable craft. With inflatable rescue craft, the freeboard is usually low and the distance to lift the victim is correspondingly small. For inflatable craft or stable vessels with a low freeboard the invention retains the principles of scooping followed by a manual parbuckling operation.

As shown in Figure 5, and as with the Powerboat version discussed above, the net 109 is rectangular being approximately 3 meters long and 1.8 meters wide.

The leading edge or luff 105, is differentially weighted compared with the trailing edge or leech 104 to help form a scoop. In the embodiment shown the weighting is provided by a short link metal chain (not shown). Weighting may also be achieved in other embodiments by the use of a number of separate stand alone discrete weights or by using lead core rope.

In the embodiment shown, an outer head batten 102 is constructed from fibreglass. The outer head batten is also provided with a series of floats 102a which allow it to become a floating boom with alternating handgrips 122 for lifting.

Two fibreglass manual jockey poles 108, approximately 1.7 meters in length, are attached by universal joints 110 to each end of the head batten 102 and are used to hold the head batten out from the vessel and create the scoop. The manual jockey poles 108 are handheld by the crew, who can stand upright or kneel on gunwale or the buoyancy tube during use of the invention.

A foreguy 114 is rigged from a point on the leading edge 105 of the net 109 or the head batten 102 and led to a strong point on the bow (not shown) to prevent the net being swept backwards by the motion of the boat. When the device is stored the foreguy is gathered into the bag 114a shown.

Figure 6 shows the underside of the device.

A series of parbuckling webbing grab handles 123 are attached to the underside of the body of the net that span the foot of the net to facilitate a lifting and parbuckling operation. This lifting operation is manual, using the 2 to 1 mechanical advantage of the parbuckle handles and also the kinetic energy generated by the body rolling up the inclined plane of the slightly deformable buoyancy tube which also acts to decrease the force required.

Figures 7a to 7d show the progressive use of the device illustrated with respect to the embodiments shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8.

In Figure 7a a target object 132 is initially manoeuvred into the scoop defined by the net 109 using the manual jockey poles 108.

As shown with Figure 7b, the jockey poles are pulled in towards the vessell. This pulls the net 109 in towards the side of the vessel and collects the target object up against the side of the vessel.

Figure 7c shows a manual parbuckling operation where the parbuckling handles 123 illustrated with respect to Figure 6, are used to manually and progressively pull the net 109 and target object 132 up the side of the vessel and onto the gunwale of the vessel.

The last stage of the use of the invention as shown with respect to Figure 7d where the target object 132 parbuckled onto the vessel is then rolled into the stretcher assembly 124.

The whole apparatus is attached and stored in an integral zippered bag (see Figure 6), which is permanently attached to the floor of the boat.

FURTHER EMBODIMENT - STRETCHER ACCESSORY

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the present invention which incorporates in a stretcher accessory 124 capable of use in combination with any of the above embodiments. The stretch is shown being used with the embodiment of Figures 5 and 7.

The stretcher accessory includes two rigid rods 125 that provide structural rigidity These rods 125 are retained within pockets of a strong material such as vinyl 126 that forms the sides of the stretcher. The sides are joined by a central panel 127 of a strong porous material that allows drainage of excess water therethrough. A circumferential webbing strap 128 provides a convenient handle at the head 128a and foot 128b of the stretcher and in combination with cutaway sections 129 in the vinyl sides, provides handles along the sides of the stretcher.

The length of the stretcher accessory is sized corresponding to the length of the head or foot of the net, such that the stretcher would typically have a length of approximately 1.8m.

On one side of the stretcher, being a first end is fastened to the tack of the scoop net and the second end is fastened to the clew of the scoop net. Preferably the fastening is achieved by a quick release means 130 such as a snap shackle.

On the opposite side of the stretcher there is provided an adjustable shoulder harness 131 provided at each end of the stretcher. The shoulder harnesses are formed of a strong webbing material and are fastened to the stretcher by quick release means such as snap shackles.

The shoulder harnesses allow the rescuers to use both hands to perform the parbuckling operation by supporting the inboard side of the stretcher to receive the retrieved object or person.

The stretcher accessory is rolled up and bundled inside a bag containing the remaining elements of the invention wherefrom it may be readily deployed.

When the invention includes the stretcher accessory, the method for retrieval further includes the step of rolling the retrieved object or person onto the stretcher.

Once the object or person is safely on the stretcher, the stretcher is then detached from the scoop assembly by releasing the snap shackles 130. At this stage the object or person can be gently delivered to the cockpit floor or other safe location. The shoulder harnesses 131 can be released from the rescuers and reused as a retaining system to secure the object or person on the stretcher. This can be particularly useful if the object or person is to be transferred some distance from the recovery point, particularly in heavy seas.

FURTHER EMBODIMENT - BOATHOOK AND LASSO

A further embodiment is illustrated with respect to Figures 9 and 10 relating to a boathook and lasso. This boathook was described to some extent in some of the preceding aforementioned PCT Patent application and can be utilised as an auxiliary jockey pole or hooking mechanism in the foregoing embodiment.

The boathook 133 and lasso 134, can also be used by emergency services for retrieving dead bodies in difficult circumstances e.g. close to rocks or when the use of a boathook alone proves too difficult.

As shown in Figure 10, a lasso is fashioned from weighted lead cored rope 135 utilising a spliced plastic thimble 136 to form the loop 137. The loop is held out, and secured with the end of the boathook 133 and the thimble area 136 is lightly taped 138 to the mid point of the pole 139. The dependent weighted loop thus created is manoeuvred under the midpoint of a body 132 and the lasso 134 is tightened and the boathook 133 is then disengaged allowing the body to be towed to safer water for scooping and lifting.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments herein described and that other embodiments may be envisaged that fall within the scope and spirit of the invention, without departing therefrom.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for rescuing or retrieving objects floating or semi submerged in the water from a vessel including: an attachment means for attaching the device to the side of a vessel; a net having a body, a luff portion, a leech portion, a foot portion and an outer head portion, the foot portion being secured to the attachment means so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly into the water; and at least one rigid pole attachable to the outer head portion in a manner so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly from the foot portion, wherein the net has a weighted luff portion relative to the body of the net to sink the luff and form a scoop with a mouth arranged to capture the object within the net on propelling the vessel and scoop towards and into contact with the object.

2. The device of claim 1 which includes a foreguy attachable to the outer head or luff portion of the net and fixed anteriorly towards the bow of the vessel to facilitate extending the net outwardly from the side of a vessel and maintaining the net in an opened scoop configuration.

3. The device of claims 1 or 2 which includes a head batten associated with the outer head portion of the net, said head batten running substantially the length of the net's outer head portion.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the head batten includes at least one float.

5. The device of claims 3 or 4 wherein the head batten is formed includes a length of fibre glass material.

6. The device of any previous claim wherein the attachment means includes at least two rope ties arranged to allow the device to be tied to the side or gunwale of the vessel.

7. The device of any previous claim which includes a stretcher releasably fastened adjacent to the foot portion of the net.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the stretcher includes at least one harness, said harness forming a loop of material having a variable circumference.

9. The device of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the stretcher includes a circumferential line arranged to provide a handle at the head and foot of the stretcher.

10. The device as claimed in claims 8 or 9 wherein the harness is arranged to provide a weight supporting shoulder sash to assist in supporting the weight of an object located in the stretcher when the stretcher is lifted.

11. The device of any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein a harness is looped over and around the stretcher when the stretcher is occupied, where the circumference of the harness loop is reduced to secure the occupant of the stretcher to the stretcher.

12. The device of any previous claim which includes a plurality of parbuckling handles deployed on one side of the body of the net, said handles being arranged to allow the net to be manually pulled on board the vessel.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the device includes a series of sets of parbuckling handles, each set of handles running substantially the length of the foot portion of the net and being aligned parallel to the foot portion of the net.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein a set of parbuckling handles includes three parbuckling handles.

15. The device of any previous claim which includes a parbuckling line associated with a rigid pole wherein drawing the parbuckling line towards the vessel raises the rigid pole and pulls the body of the net into the vessel, and release of said parbuckling line allows the rigid pole to pivot out away from the vessel to extend the body of the net away from the vessel.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein a parbuckling line runs to the end of the rigid pole attached to the outer head portion of the net and through the inside of the rigid pole.

17. The device of claims 15 or 16 wherein a section of parbuckling line is removably engaged with a rigid pole to allow the rigid pole to be drawn in toward the vessel.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein a terminal end of a parbuckling line is connected to the net so that release of the section of the parbuckling line from engagement with the rigid pole allows the parbuckling line to gather in the body of the net towards the vessel when the parbuckling line is drawn in towards the vessel.

19. The device of any previous claim which includes a boathook and lasso assembly.

20. A method for rescuing or retrieving objects from water using a device which includes a net having a body, luff portion, leech portion, foot portion and outer head portion, wherein the net has a weighted luff portion relative to the body of the net, and a rigid pole attached to the outer head portion of the net, said method being characterised by the steps of: i) extending the outer head portion of the net outwardly from a vessel using the rigid pole so that the weighted luff portion of the net sinks below the water and forms the mouth of a scoop to capture the object within the net on propelling the vessel and scoop towards and into contact with the object; and ii) performing a parbuckling operation to draw the object captured by the net on board the vessel.

21. A method for rescuing or retrieving objects from water using a device which includes a net having a body, luff portion, leech portion, foot portion and outer head portion, wherein the net has a weighted luff portion relative to the body of the net, and a rigid pole attached to the outer head portion of the net, said method being characterised by the steps of: i) attaching the device to the side of a vessel using an 5 attachment means; ii) attaching at least one rigid pole to the outer head portion of the net; and iii) extending the outer head portion of the net outwardly from the vessel using said at least one rigid pole so that the weighted luff portion ofo the net sinks below the water and forms the mouth of a scoop to capture the object within the net on propelling the vessel and scoop towards and into contact with the object.

22. The method of claim 21 further characterised by the additional subsequent step of: s iv) performing a parbuckling operation to draw the object captured by the net on board the vessel

23. The method of claims 20 or 22 further characterised by the additional subsequent step of locating the object captured by the net in a stretcher associated with the foot of the net. o

24. The method of claims 20 to 23 wherein the parbuckling operation includes manually pulling the net on board the vessel using a plurality of parbuckling handles deployed on one side of the body of the net.

25. The method of claims 20 to 24 wherein the parbuckling operation includes drawing a parbuckling line towards the vessel to raise at least one5 rigid pole attached to the outer head portion of the net to pull the body of the net in and towards the vessel.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said parbuckling operation also includes disengaging a section of the parbuckling line from the rigid pole, and the drawing of the parbuckling line in towards the vessel to gather the0 body of the net towards the vessel.

27. A device for rescuing or retrieving objects floating or semi submerged in water from a vessel including: an attachment means for attaching the device to the side of a vessel; a net having a body, a foot portion, an outer head portion, and two ends disposed between the foot portion and the outer head portion, the foot portion being secured to the attachment means so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly into the water; at least one rigid pole attachable to the outer head portion in a manner so that the body of the net can be extended outwardly from the foot portion; a plurality of parbuckling handles deployed on one side of the body of the net, said handles being arranged to allow the net to be manually pulled on board the vessel.

28. The device of claim 27 which includes two manually operated rigid jockey poles.

29. The device of claims 27 or 28 which includes a lasso and boathook assembly.

30. The device of any one of claims 27 to 29 which includes at least one weight associated with each open end of the net.