Yacht preserver and method of the using the yacht preserver to reduce water flow into a yacht

Abstract

A device and method for sealing a hole in a yacht below a water line by inserting an inflatable bladder into the hole using a push rod and inflating the inflatable bladder to reduce water flow through the hole.

1 . A system for sealing an opening in a yacht below a water line, comprising:
 an inflatable bladder configured and sized to seal a hole in a yacht below the water line, a first end of the inflatable bladder configured to be inserted into the hole before a second opposing end of the inflatable bladder, and the first end opposing the second end;   a gas connection configured to connect a source of gas to the inflatable bladder to fill the bladder with gas during use;   a side elongated pocket on a side of the inflatable bladder extending in a direction from the first end of the inflatable bladder to the second end of the inflatable bladder, the side elongated pocket having an opening towards the second end of the inflatable bladder and a closed end towards the first end of the inflatable bladder; and   an elongated push rod configured to fit within the elongated side pocket, wherein during use the elongated push rod can be inserted within the elongated side pocket and used to push the inflatable bladder into the hole against a water flow through the hole into the yacht.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated push rod has a size of 1-15 feet long and 0.5 to about 5 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an inflator device connected to the gas connector. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflator device is activated by a pull string. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the activation device is activated by hand valve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflator device is detachable from the handle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas connector is a Schrader valve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is a telescoping pole. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable bladder includes a safety pressure release valve; and wherein the safety pressure release valve is configured and arranged to prevent the inflatable bladder from becoming over inflated. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve includes a regulator that regulates pressure within the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         11 . A method of installing an inflatable bladder into a hole below a water line to prevent a yacht from sinking comprising;
 providing an inflatable bladder configured and sized to seal a hole in a yacht below the water line, a first end of the inflatable bladder configured to be inserted into the hole before a second end of the inflatable bladder, the first end opposes the second end, a side elongated pocket on a side of the inflatable bladder having extending in a direction from the first end of the inflatable bladder to the second end of the inflatable bladder, the side elongated pocket having an opening towards the second end of the inflatable bladder and a closed end towards the first end of the inflatable bladder;   inserting an elongated push rod within the elongated side pocket;   using the elongated push rod to push the inflatable bladder into the hole against a flow of water through the hole into the yacht; and   inflating the inflatable bladder to seal the hole and reduce the flow water through the hole.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising pulling a pull string to open a sealed container containing a pressurized gas that inflates the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising turning a hand valve to open a sealed container containing a pressurized gas that inflates the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising attaching an inflator device to the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein an inflator device includes a Schrader valve in fluid connection with a hose; and
 further comprising: attaching an air pump to the Schrader valve; and   pumping the air pump to inflate the inflatable bladder.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inflatable bladder includes a safety pressure release valve; and further comprising releasing air from the inflatable bladder to prevent the inflatable bladder from becoming over inflated.