Non-buoyant passive marine rescue apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is a marine rescue apparatus for ship-based rescue of a victim in the water. The apparatus has two parts: a sling positioning device and a removably attached sling component. The sling positioning device is made up of a positioning pole connected to two positioning arms. The sling component is made up of a sling rope connected to a sling loop. The sling loop has non-positive buoyancy, and is removably attached to the positioning arms. This allows a user to guide the spread sling loop over a non-responsive victim to capture them, even if the victim is in a prone position or underwater. After the user detaches the sling positioning device, they can pull the victim on-ship manually, or by using some type of rescue mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A marine rescue apparatus, comprised of:
 a sling positioning device; and   a sling component having non-positive buoyancy, wherein said sling component is removably attached to said sling positioning device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sling positioning device is comprised of a pole and a plurality of positioning arms forming an angle 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said positioning arms form an angle of approximately 85 degrees to approximately 95 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of positioning arms are foldably connected by a locking hinge mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of said plurality of positioning arms has a bend or curve ranging from approximately 140 degrees to approximately 150 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said sling positioning device further includes a positioning handle connected to a proximal end of said positioning pole, wherein said positioning handle has a configuration selected from a group consisting of: T-shaped, open rectangle, or straight. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said sling positioning device further includes a plurality of loop clips, wherein each of said plurality of loop clips is removably secured to one of said plurality of positioning arms with a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said plurality of loop clips is a tube having a slot cut in a distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said plurality of loop clips is a solid mass having a blind bore in a proximal end and a plurality of clip arms extending from a distal end. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of claim , wherein said sling component is comprised of a sling rope connected to a sling loop. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sling positioning device further includes at least one rope clip removably attached to said sling rope. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one rope clip is a length of semi-rigid tubing having a slit along said length. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one rope clip is a length of elastomer having a C-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sling rope is a synthetic material with a minimum working load of approximately 800 lbs. and a minimum length approximately 12 feet longer than a maximum length of said sling positioning device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said sling rope further includes a variably placed lifting loop. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sling component further includes a sling attachment webbing connecting said sling rope to said sling loop. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sling loop is a loop of flat, woven synthetic material with a minimum working load of approximately 800 lbs. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sling component further includes a sling weight attached to said sling loop. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said sling weight is a flexible bag permanently attached to said sling loop. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said sling weight s a porous bag filled with a particulate material having negative buoyancy. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said particulate material is selected from the group consisting of sand and lead shot.