Water rescues have always been challenging and needs highly trained people. However a new remote controlled rescue buoy makes this task a lot easier without need for trained people.
It is named U Safe and it is the first ring shaped self propelled life saving buoy. U Safe uses dual turbines that are enclosed within each of the hull’s two legs.
A water proof joystick remote control operates U Safe using radio frequency signals. It can reach up to a speed of 8 knots.
Nick Bice, U Safe’s commercial director, says, while U Safe might look simple, almost all the components including, printed circuit boards, batteries and remotes are custom made. However real magic according to him is it can be controlled by someone with little or no training.
U Safe says its buoys are meant to complement, not replace, other rescue gear on board. (yachtingmagazine.com)
How it works
U Safe buoys can be controlled from a boat/ship using a handheld remote. They have lithium batteries that let them run for 30 minutes and they are made to help rescue multiple people before needing a recharge.
It takes four hours to fully recharge batteries. Each buoy weighs 29 pounds and is 39 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 8 inches thick. They also have four handles for people to hold on to.
A U Safe Buoy can rescue a person who has fallen overboard at speeds of up to 3 knots. It can also rescue two people who have fallen overboard, but it will move more slowly when doing this.
In to the future
For the moment U Safe needs humans to operate them. But Bice says in the future they are looking for integration with both AIS and personal locator beacons.
Featured Image Credits: FPTower Inc.
