Vessel disablement system

Abstract

A system designed as a benign disablement weapon for use against sailboats and a method for using the system. The system may be easily deployed to stop sailboats by disabling the propeller. The system uses a buoyant component that floats covertly on the water surface and to which many entanglement lines are attached. Upon the targeted boat passing over the system, the buoyant interface catches on the keel of the vessel. The buoyant interface then drags the entanglement lines with the vessel which puts the lines in position to catch on the propeller, causing the vessel to become disabled. The system may be modified for use in disabling motor craft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for disabling a sailboat comprising:
 a buoyant interface component; and   an entanglement lines arranged in loops such that one end of each loop attaches to the buoyant interface component.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant interface component is made from a material such as foam. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the material of the buoyant interface component maintains flexibility. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein a length of the entanglement lines is approximated by a distance from a keel of a sailboat to a propeller of the sailboat. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant interface is inflatable. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the buoyant interface contains multiple air chambers. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the buoyant interface is coated with a friction-increasing coating. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the entanglement lines attach to the buoyant interface. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the entanglement lines are ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber.