System for evacuation of personnel from a capsized vessel

Abstract

A system for evacuation of personnel from a capsized vessel via a watertight and airtight sluice comprising an inner and an outer escape hatch. The inner escape hatch leads from inside the vessel to an evacuation room, and the room is provided with an outer escape hatch. The outer escape hatch leads out through the bottom hull of the vessel, and each escape hatch, is fitted with a mechanism comprising a sensor, a control center, locking means and a communication interface between the mechanisms. Wherein the sensors read if one of the escape hatches is open or locked, if the sensor reads that an escape hatch is open, it sends a message to its control center, the control center sends this message to the control center on the opposing hatch, the control center on the opposing hatch uses its locking means to make sure the escape hatch cannot be opened.

1 . System for evacuation of personnel from a capsized vessel via a watertight and airtight sluice comprising: an inner and an outer escape hatch ( 103 ,  105 ), said inner escape hatch ( 105 ) leads from inside said vessel to an evacuation room ( 107 ), said room ( 107 ) is provided with an outer escape hatch ( 103 ), said outer escape hatch ( 103 ) lead out through the bottom hull of said vessel, each escape hatch ( 103 ,  105 ), is fitted with a mechanism comprising a sensor, a control center, locking means and a communication interface between said mechanisms, wherein the sensors read if one of the escape hatches is open or locked, if the sensor reads that an escape hatch is open, it sends a message to its control center, the control center sends this message to the control center on the opposing hatch, the control center on the opposing hatch uses its locking means to make sure the escape hatch cannot be opened. 
     
     
         2 . System according to  claim 1  wherein a first device for climbing ( 104 ) and a second device for climbing ( 106 ) is attached to the outer escape hatch ( 103 ). 
     
     
         3 . System according to  claim 1  wherein said evacuation room ( 107 ) and both hatches ( 103 ,  105 ) are illuminated by lamps ( 201 ) that receive energy from a battery pack ( 202 ). 
     
     
         4 . System according to  claim 1  wherein said evacuation room ( 107 ) is equipped with at least one air vent ( 205 ) that is closed automatically if said vessel capsizes. 
     
     
         5 . System according to  claim 2  wherein said inner escape hatch ( 105 ) is associated with a climbing device ( 204 ). 
     
     
         6 . System according to  claim 5  wherein said climbing devices ( 104 ,  106 ,  204 ) can either be a set of steps or a rope ladder. 
     
     
         7 . System for evacuation of personnel from a capsized vessel via a watertight and airtight sluice comprising: an inner and an outer escape hatch ( 103 ,  105 ), said inner escape hatch ( 105 ) leads from inside said vessel to an evacuation room ( 107 ), said room ( 107 ) is provided with an outer escape hatch ( 103 ), said outer escape hatch ( 103 ) lead out through the bottom hull of said vessel, a handle is needed for opening the inner and the outer escape hatch ( 103 ,  105 ) only one handle fits both escape hatches, the handle can only be removed if the hatch it is attached to is locked.