The part is called U Safe and is the modern, technical adaptation of the good old lifebuoy. It is now shaped like a horseshoe and is lowered into the water when a MOB fall occurs and is detected. Throwing it will be difficult - U Safe weighs a whopping 13 kilograms, so it also requires a special bracket, preferably attached to the outside of the pushpit. Once activated and lowered into the water, the crew remotely steers U Safe to the MOB, so visual contact is still essential. Once at the MOB, the person holds on to the horseshoe and is taken to the boat.
The two independent jet drives are located at the ends of the horseshoe and are powered by batteries. The batteries are charged inductively in the holder of the device. According to the manufacturer, U Safe reaches a speed of a good eight knots, can be operated for 30 minutes and maintains contact until the end of the field of vision. The device measures 100 x 80 x 20 centimetres.
The Aqua-Robot has won the Dame Award, the most important equipment prize, which is awarded every year at the Mets professional trade fair. The decision was made by a jury chaired by Hamburg designer Birgit Schnaase. The item also won in the Lifesaving and Safety Equipment category.
What else was on show at the Mets is featured in a YACHT special in issue 1.
The rescue drone in moving images
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Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
