Method and device for saving people in distressin the sea

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for saving people in distress in the sea. Said device consists of a hawser which forms a hauling line with a sling fastened thereto, said sling being placed around the body of the person in distress in the sea. The aim of the invention is to provide a method, using simple means, of pulling the person in distress by means of the hauling line on the surface of the water, up to the crane hook that is located immediately above the surface of the water and of then fixing the hauling line to the crane hook, in such a way that said line cannot be paid back out and that the crane lifts the person in distress out of the water onto the deck by raising the crane hook. In other words: the invention aims to provide a connecting member between the crane hook and the rescue sling, which pulls said rescue sling by the hauling line up to the crane hook, so that it can be lifted out of the water and on board by the crane. The invention is characterised by the provision of a guiding or blocking device for the hauling line. Said device can be suspended on a lifting unit and is equipped with guide rollers for the hauling line, a support device for the guide rollers, a coupling device for the lifting unit and a hauling line brake which acts in the direction of operation and can be deactivated.

1 . Apparatus for the rescue of persons in distress at sea comprising a cable forming a heaving line and a loop fastened at its end to placed around the body of the person, 
 characterized by 
 a guidance and blocking device to be suspended on a lifting device for the heaving line, which is equipped with guidance rollers for the heaving line, a bearing device for the guidance rollers, a coupling device for the lifting device and a disengageable heaving line brake active in one running direction.  
   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that the bearing device for the rollers and the blocking device is comprised of two parallel plates, preferably of special steel, between which the rollers and the cable brake are disposed.  
   
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that the bearing device for the guidance rollers and the brake is encased by a padding.  
   
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , 
 characterized in 
 that the padding is accommodated in pockets, which are fastened on the outside of the plates of the bearing device preferably with the aid of a plate located in the pocket.  
   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , 
 characterized in 
 that the padding is comprised of foamed material which lends buoyancy to the apparatus in water.  
   
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that the heaving line carries a stopper above the fastening of the loop to be placed around the body of the person.  
   
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that the blocking device comprises a lever for switching the brake on and off.  
   
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that the loop is comprised of two belts, one floatable and one nonfloatable belt, between which preferably a net is disposed.  
   
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that the cable forming the heaving line is floatable.  
   
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that the lever of the blocking device is accommodated in a gap of the padding between the two plates of the bearing device.  
   
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 characterized in 
 that on the guidance and blocking device are disposed hooks for suspending one or several rescuers.  
   
     
     
         12 . Method for rescuing persons in distress at sea by means of a cable serving as a heaving line, on whose end a rescue loop comprised of two belts is fastened, 
 characterized in 
 that the cable is guided through a switchable blocking device for the running of the cable, which is suspended on a lifting hook, the cable is manually pulled on board of the aiding vessel until the person to be rescued is hauled to the blocking device, and  
 that subsequently the blocking device together with the person to be rescued is lifted out of the water with the lifting tool and brought on board.  
   
     
     
         13 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , 
 characterized in 
 that the blocking device is suspended on the hooks of a crane and lowered until it is close to the surface of the water or lowered onto the surface of the water, that the cable with the rescue loop is cast to the person in distress at sea, who places the rescue loop around himself or around whom the rescue loop is placed,  
 that the cable serving as a heaving line is preferably manually pulled in until the person in distress at sea has reached the blocking device,  
 that subsequently the crane is activated and the person in distress at sea is lifted together with the blocking device over the upper edge of the side of the vessel.  
   
     
     
         14 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , 
 characterized in 
 that the blocking device is padded on the outside and is formed similar to a fender.  
   
     
     
         15 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , 
 characterized in 
 that the person suspended on the rescue apparatus and hauled on deck is detached from the rescue apparatus by actuating the lever of the cable brake.  
   
     
     
         16 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , 
 characterized in 
 that the person suspended on the rescue apparatus and hauled on board is detached by uncoupling the loop from the cable serving as a heaving line and the rescue apparatus is subsequently detached from the crane hook.  
   
     
     
         17 . Method as claimed in  claim 12 , 
 characterized in 
 that a rescue loop comprised of two belts is utilized and between these belts a net is preferably disposed.