Remotely controllable rescue vessel

Abstract

A remotely controllable rescue vessel is provided that includes: a rigid lower hull portion; an inflatable upper hull portion coupled to the rigid lower portion; and a remotely controllable motor, configurable to drive the remotely controllable rescue vessel according to remote instructions.

1 . A remotely controllable rescue vessel including:
 a rigid lower hull portion;   an inflatable upper hull portion coupled to the rigid lower portion; and   a remotely controllable motor, configurable to drive the remotely controllable rescue vessel according to remote instructions.   
     
     
         2 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the remotely controllable rescue vessel is self-righting in water. 
     
     
         3 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable upper hull portion includes a tube member extending upwardly and across a width of the hull, to cause the vessel to roll back to an upright position. 
     
     
         4 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 3 , wherein the inflatable upper hull portion include a further tube member, to support the tube member. 
     
     
         5 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 4 , wherein the further tube member is coupled to the tube member at a right angle. 
     
     
         6 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable upper hull portion includes a tubular collar extending around at least part of a periphery of the rigid lower hull portion. 
     
     
         7 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable upper hull portion is defined by a plurality of interconnected tubular members. 
     
     
         8 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 7 , wherein the interconnected tubular members are fluidly connected such that they may be inflated simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel includes a compressed gas (e.g. carbon dioxide) cylinder configured to fill the inflatable upper hull portion. 
     
     
         10 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel includes a propeller, coupled to the motor, and a shroud, for shrouding the propeller. 
     
     
         11 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 10 , further including a rudder, provided in association with the propeller, for guiding the vessel, wherein operation of the motor and the rudder may be remotely controllable. 
     
     
         12 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid lower hull portion comprise a planing hull in the form of a V-shaped or modified V-shaped hull. 
     
     
         13 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is battery powered, and wherein the battery is housed in the rigid lower hull portion. 
     
     
         14 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the lower rigid hull portion defines an enclosed space, wherein the enclosed space is watertight and includes a removable watertight hatch. 
     
     
         15 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1  including an intake, for receiving water, for cooling components in the enclosed space in use. 
     
     
         16 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1  including attachment members on the inflatable upper hull portion, the attachment members configured to releasably receive accessories or attachments of the vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1  configured to receive signals from a beacon, and navigate autonomously to the beacon according to the beacon signal. 
     
     
         18 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the beacon comprises an AIS beacon that forms part of a life jacket. 
     
     
         19 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , further include sensors to capture data. 
     
     
         20 . The remotely controllable rescue vessel of  claim 1 , configured to stream image and/or video data to a remote operator.