Description

The present invention relates to a maritime evacuation system to be installed on a vessel or offshore facility, comprising a storage unit to be installed on the vessel or offshore facility, at least two survival crafts, each having a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells, the survival crafts being configured to be stored in the storage unit in a deflated state, each survival craft comprises at least two engine powered propulsion means.

Inflatable survival craft having a high capacity in relation to persons have been introduced as maritime rescue and evacuation systems. The advantages of the inflatable survival crafts compared to normal rigid rescue boat are many. Inter alia the inflatable survival crafts do not occupy as much room on the vessel compared to the rigid rescue boats, when the inflatable survival crafts are stored in a deflated state on the vessel or offshore structure.

The deflated survival crafts are stored in a storage unit onboard the vessel or offshore structure for protecting the deflated structure of the survival crafts as well as other components of the survival craft, for instance the engine powered propulsion means, together with other equipment and components necessary for deployment of the survival crafts. Especially at sea the environment may have severe consequences on the evacuation system, due to humidity, saline content in the air, temperature alterations, wind for mention a few outside influences.

The engine powered propulsion means of the inflatable survival crafts are vital components since the survival craft has been fully loaded with passengers during a rescue operation, it is essential to the safety of the people on the survival craft that the survival craft can be sailed away, e.g. from a shipwreck, to avoid burning oil, suction forces from a sinking ship, tilting of the ship, etc. Hence all components of the maritime may function properly and as intended in the evacuation situation.

It is an object of the present invention to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an object to provide an improved maritime evacuation system with the aim of ensuring that the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue. The above objects, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present invention by a maritime evacuation system to be installed on a vessel or offshore facility, comprising a storage unit to be installed on the vessel or offshore facility, at least two survival crafts, each having a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells, the survival crafts being configured to be stored in the storage unit in a deflated state, each survival craft comprises at least two engine powered propulsion means, the maritime evacuation system further comprising a central control unit being operatively connected with each engine powered propulsion means, wherein the central control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each engine powered propulsion means at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue.

Furthermore, each engine powered propulsion means may be powered by electricity, one or more power supply(ies) may be arranged in the survival craft for providing electricity to the engine powered propulsion means, the central control unit is operatively connected with each power supply, and the control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each power supply at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue.

In addition, one or more sensors, the sensor(s) may be arranged in the storage unit and/or in the survival crafts, the sensor(s) being configured to measure one or more parameters of the environment inside the storage unit and/or of one or more components arranged in the storage unit, the parameters may be temperature, humidity, pressure, gas content, pump running time/intervals, door open/closed time, actuator position and/or others in the storage unit, the control unit is operatively connected with the one or more sensors.

Moreover, each survival craft may be wirely connected with each other, the survival crafts being wirely connected with the central control unit.

Also, the survival crafts may be wirely connected with the central control unit with one wire or cable. Furthermore, a craft cable break-away connector may be arranged between each survival craft for ensuring that the survival crafts can be separated and move independently in relation to each other after deployment.

Additionally, a unit cable break-away connector may be arranged between the survival crafts and the central control unit for ensuring that the survival crafts can be separated from the central control unit at deployment of the survival crafts.

Moreover, each of the craft cable break-away connector and the unit cable breakaway connector may comprise a plug part and a receptable part, the plug part comprises a first plug end configured to be connected with a cable and a second plug end, the receptable part comprises a first receptable end configured to be connected with a cable and a second receptable end.

The second plug end may be configured to be connected with the second receptable end so that communication between the two cables is provided through the cable break-away connectors.

Also, the second plug end may be configured to be inserted into the second receptable end to provide a releasable connection between them.

The second plug end has one or more projections, the one or more projections is/are configured to engage one or more recesses provided in the second receptable end for providing a releasable connection between the second plug end and the second receptable end ensuring that the releasable connection first is released at a predetermined force, i.e. the force it takes to pull the one or more projections out of engagement with the one or more recesses.

Furthermore, the second plug end and the second receptable end may be configured to be water-tight when disconnected.

Additionally, the maritime evacuation system may comprise indication means being configured to disclose whether the maritime evacuation system is ready for rescue.

The indication means may be part of a controller of the vessel or offshore facility. Also, the indication means may be arranged at the storage unit so that it is visible for the crew members that the specific evacuation system is ready for rescue or not.

Moreover, a temperature sensor may be arranged at the power supply in the survival crafts for measuring a temperature at the power supply in the survival crafts and/or a temperature of the power supply, the temperature sensor being operatively connected with the central control unit.

Furthermore, at each power supply in each the survival craft a temperature sensor may be arranged for measuring the temperature at the power supply in the survival crafts and/or the temperature of the power supply, each temperature sensor being operatively connected with the central control unit.

In addition, the maritime evacuation system may comprise one or more temperature altering device(s).

The storage unit may comprise one or more fans or ventilators for circulating and/or blowing tempered air at designated positions in the storage unit.

Furthermore, a fan or ventilator may be configured to blowing tempered air in the vicinity of the power supplies in the survival crafts for controlling the temperature of the power supplies.

The survival crafts in deflated state may be arranged on a yoke inside the storage unit. The yoke is configured to be moved out of the storage unit during deployment and be lowered into the water with the deflated survival crafts.

Furthermore, the central control unit may be configured to maintain the power supply in the survival crafts at a predetermined temperature. This may be performed by measuring the temperature of the power supplies or at the power supplies and on basis of the measured temperatures controlling the one or more temperature altering device(s) for tempering an air to the necessary temperature (either cooling or heating depending on the temperature of the power supplies) and then blowing or ventilating the tempered air to or near the power supplies for altering the temperatures of the power supplies until it reaches the predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be between 0 to 35 degrees Celsius, preferably around 20 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, the wires and/or cables may be configured to transport data and/or electricity.

Also, the engine powered propulsion means may be arranged in a shell of the survival craft.

In an embodiment of the invention, the maritime evacuation system comprises four survival crafts being arranged in the storage unit in the deflated state.

Furthermore, the craft cable break-away connectors between the survival crafts may be configured to break during inflation of each survival craft and/or during separation of one survival craft from another when they sail away.

Moreover, the unit cable break-away connector or unit cable break-away connectors between the survival crafts and the central control unit may be configured to break when the survival crafts are being moved out of the storage unit during deployment of the survival crafts.

In addition, each survival craft may have a craft control unit, the craft control unit being configured to control the engine powered propulsion means of the survival craft.

One of the craft control units may be configured to be a master craft control unit which may control the other craft control units before the survival crafts are separated.

The present invention also relates to a vessel or offshore facility comprising a maritime evacuation system as described above.

The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting embodiments and in which Figs. 1-4 show a deployment sequence of survival crafts from a maritime evacuation system according to the invention,

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the storage unit,

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the storage unit,

Fig. 7 shows craft cable break-away connectors,

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a craft cable break-away connector or a unit cable break-away connector,

Fig. 9 shows another schematic view of the storage unit,

Fig. 10 shows a part of the storage unit with deflated survival crafts arranged on a yoke,

Figs. 11-13 show different views of the storage unit, and

Fig. 14 shows a part of the deflated survival craft.

All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

Figs. 1 to 4 show a deployment sequence of survival crafts of a maritime evacuation system 100 according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows the maritime evacuation system 100 installed on a vessel 1. The maritime evacuation system 100 could as well be installed on an offshore facility (not shown).

The maritime evacuation system 100 comprises a storage unit 2 to be installed on the vessel 1. In Fig. 1 the storage unit 2 is installed on a deck 3 of the vessel 1. In other embodiments the storage unit may be installed between decks of the vessel. The storage unit 2 defines a substantially closed room 4 inside the storage unit 2. The storage unit 2 comprises at least two survival crafts 5, each survival craft 5 having a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells. The survival crafts 5 being configured to be stored in the storage unit in a deflated state as seen in Fig.l. For allowing the deflated survival crafts 5 to be deployed from the storage unit 2 a port 6 is arranged at the side of the storage unit 2 facing the water side of the vessel 1. In the present embodiment the port 6 is hinged to the bottom of the storage unit 2 so that during deployment the port 6 may be moved to the open position by turning the port 6 around the hinges whereby the port 6 is turned approximately 180 degrees in relation to the closed position of the port 6. The open position is shown in Fig. 1. The storage unit 2 also comprises one or more doors for providing access for crew members to the inside of the storage unit 2. In addition, an area of the storage unit may be a technique room wherein different components of the maritime evacuation system 100 may be controlled and serviced.

Furthermore, each survival craft 5 comprises at least two engine powered propulsion means facilitating manoeuvrability of the survival craft 5 when inflated.

In Fig. 2 the survival crafts 5 are being deployed. The deflated survival crafts 5 are stored on a yoke 8, which also is stored inside the storage unit 2. The yoke 8 is configured to be moved out of the storage unit 2 during deployment and be lowered into the water with the deflated survival crafts 5. In Fig. 2 the yoke 8 and deflated survival crafts 5 are displaced out of the storage unit 2 by use of a deployment system 9.

In the present embodiment the evacuation system 100 comprises four survival crafts 5 which all are supported by the yoke 8. In other embodiments the maritime evacuation system 100 may comprise two, three or even a higher number. Each survival craft may have a capacity of more than 150 persons, preferably higher such as more than 200 persons.

In addition, the storage unit 2 may also comprise evacuation chutes 10 so persons may be evacuated from the vessel to the inflated survival crafts 5 when deployed into the water. In Fig. 3 the storage unit 2 is shown without the yoke and deflated survival crafts. In the opposite side in relation to the port 6 the storage unit may comprise doors 11 which provide access to chutes when the survival crafts have been deployed.

In Fig. 4 the four survival crafts have been inflated and is ready for receiving persons from the vessel 1. The survival crafts 5 are held in position in relation to the vessel 1 by means of a bowsing system 12.

In the present embodiment the four survival crafts 5 are mutual connected to each other so that they during deployment and evacuation may be positioned together.

Each survival craft 5 having a hull 13, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes 14 and one or more shells 15. In the present embodiment each survival craft 5 has four shells 15 arranged in each corner of the survival craft 5. In other not shown embodiments each survival craft may have a different number of shells. For instance, a survival craft may have only one shell functioning as a pod. The shells are preferably made of a rigid material, such as metal, a polymeric material, a fibre reinforced material, a composite or any combination thereof.

In the present embodiment each shell comprises an engine powered propulsion means, a power supply and a propeller or a water jet. In the present embodiment each engine powered propulsion means is powered by electricity, one or more power supply(ies) is/are arranged in the survival craft, preferably in the shells, for providing electricity to the engine powered propulsion means, the central control unit is operatively connected with each power supply, and the control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each power supply at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system meets the requirements for being ready for rescue.

Furthermore, the maritime evacuation system 100 further comprising a central control unit 16 being operatively connected with each engine powered propulsion means 7. The central control unit is shown in Fig. 3 and is in this embodiment arranged in storage unit 2. However, the central control unit may also be arranged outside the storage unit 2, for instance be operatively connected with a vessel's main controller or being integrated into the vessel's main controller. The central control unit 16 is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each engine powered propulsion means 7 at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system 100 meets the requirements for being ready for rescue. The requirements for being ready to rescue are inter alia different parameters of the different components, such as pressure in gas containers, communication, power supply status, motor functionality, etc.

In addition, the central control unit may comprise a warning and alarm system. A warning is a signal to flag something is wrong, that is not critical for the maritime evacuation system to be deployed. Alarm is a signal to flag a fault in the maritime evacuation system.

In the present embodiment the engine powered propulsion means 7 are each powered by electricity. The central control unit 16 is operatively connected with each power supply, and the control unit is configured to observe the condition of and test the readiness of each power supply at predetermined intervals so that it is continuously monitored if the maritime evacuation system 100 meets the requirements for being ready for rescue. Hereby it is ensured that the power supply is able to supply sufficient power so that the survival craft is able to manoeuvre and propel away from the vessel.

In Figs. 5 and 6 show two different embodiments of the maritime evacuation system according to the invention.

In Fig. 5 a first embodiment is shown. The embodiment is similar to one described in connection with Figs. 1-4. The storage unit 2 houses four deflated survival crafts 5. In the deflated state the survival crafts 5 are housed by the shells 15 as shown in Fig. 5. In each shell 15 the survival craft 5 has an engine powered propulsion means 7 and a power supply 17 to each engine powered propulsion means 7 is also arranged in each shell 15. The engine powered propulsion means 7 and the power supplies 17 are only shown schematic in one of the survival crafts 5, however, all survival crafts 5 are identical in the present embodiment meaning that all survival crafts 5 have the same design.

Furthermore, each survival craft 5 is wirely connected with each other, the survival crafts 5 being wirely connected with the central control unit 16. In Fig. 5 each survival craft 5 has a craft control unit 18, the craft control unit 18 being configured to control the engine powered propulsion means 7 of the survival craft 5. The craft control unit 18 may be wirely connected with each engine powered propulsion means 7 by a craft cable 19. The four craft control units 18 are wirely connected to each other by four unit cables 20. One of the craft control units 18 are wirely connected with the central control unit 16 by a control cable 21.

In an embodiment when the maritime evacuation system is stored in the storage unit, the survival craft controller is in charge, and control all motor units. When the maritime evacuation system is being deployed, the survival crafts are independently controlled. The engine powered propulsion means are all equal.

In another embodiment one of the craft control units 18 is configured to be a master craft control unit which may control the other craft control units before the survival crafts 5 are separated so that all survival crafts 5 may be control by the master craft control unit, for instance during positioning of the survival crafts 5 along the vessel side.

Furthermore, a craft cable break-away connector 22 is arranged between each survival craft 5 for ensuring that the survival crafts 5 can be separated and move independently in relation to each other after deployment. The craft break-away cable connectors 22 between the survival crafts 5 are configured to break during inflation of each survival craft and/or during separation of one survival craft from another.

In addition, a unit cable break-away connector 23 is arranged between the survival crafts 5 and the central control unit 16 for ensuring that the survival crafts 5 can be separated from the central control unit 16 at deployment of the survival crafts 5. The unit break-away cable connector 23 between the survival crafts 5 and the central control unit 16 is configured to break when the survival crafts 5 are being moved out of the storage unit 2 during deployment of the survival crafts 5.

In another embodiment two unit cable break-away connectors 23 may be arranged between the survival crafts 5 and the central control unit 16 for a redundant constellation. In Fig. 4 the craft control units 18 are shown schematically in each inflated and deployed survival craft 5. In Fig. 4 the craft control units 5 are still wirely connected to each other. In the shown embodiment the craft cable break-away connectors (not shown) will first break when the survival crafts 5 are separated from each other.

In Fig. 6 another embodiment of the maritime evacuation system 100. In the present embodiment two deflated survival crafts 5 are arranged in the storage unit 2. The central control unit 16 is in this embodiment arranged outside the storage unit 2. Each survival craft 5 has a shell 15 shown as a dotted line in Fig. 6. In connection with each shell 15 two engine powered propulsion means 7 and power supplies 17 are arranged for propelling the survival crafts 5 after deployment and inflation. Each survival craft 5 has a craft control unit 18 which in the present embodiment are not connected with each other. Each craft control unit 18 is connected with the central control unit 16 by two separate control cables 21. Each control cable 21 has a unit cable break-away connector 23 being arranged between the survival craft 5 and the central control unit 16 for ensuring that the survival craft 5 can be separated from the central control unit 16 at deployment of the survival craft 5.

Preferably the power supply is a battery when the engine powered propulsion means runs on electricity. However, in another embodiment the engine powered propulsion means may be a combustion engine in which circumstance the power supply may be a fuel. However, presently electricity as power supply is preferred.

In the circumstance that the power supply is a battery, the maritime evacuation system may comprise one or more battery charger(s). The battery charger is arranged within the storage unit. In another embodiment it may be arranged outside the storage unit.

In addition, the battery charger and/or parts of the cables or wires and/or the connectors may be fully or partly covered or shielded off for minimising electromagnetic interference to the other components.

Fig. 7 shows an example of how the unit cable break-away connectors 22 are arranged inside the survival crafts 5. In Fig. 8, an embodiment of the design of each of the craft cable break-away connector 22 and the unit cable break-away connector 23 are shown. Each cable break-away connector 22, 23 comprises a plug part 24 and a receptable part 25. The plug part 24 comprises a first plug end 26 configured to be connected with a cable 20 ,21 and a second plug end 27, the receptable part 25 comprises a first receptable end 28 configured to be connected with a cable 20, 21 and a second receptable end 29. The second plug end 27 is configured to be connected with the second receptable end 29 so that communication between the two cables 20, 21 is provided through the cable break-away connectors 22, 23. In the present embodiment the second plug end 27 is configured to be inserted into the second receptable end 29 to provide a releasable connection between them.

The second plug end 27 has one or more projections 30, the one or more projections 30 is/are configured to engage one or more recesses 31 provided in the second receptable end 29 for providing a releasable connection between the second plug end 27 and the second receptable end 29 ensuring that the releasable connection first is released at a predetermined force, i.e. the force it takes to pull the one or more projections 30 out of engagement with the one or more recesses 31. The projections 30 may be spring-loaded itself or be arranged on a member 32 which may be moved inwardly when the predetermined force is reached.

The cable break-away connectors 22, 23 are watertight when connected. However, the second plug end 27 and the second receptable end 29 are configured to be watertight when disconnected as well.

In another not shown embodiment the cable break-away connectors may be magnetic connectors.

In Fig. 9 another schematic view of a storage unit 2 is shown. One or more sensors is/are arranged in the storage unit 2 and/or in the survival crafts 5, the sensor(s) being configured to measure one or more parameters of the environment inside the storage unit 2 and/or of one or more components arranged in the storage unit 2, the parameters may be temperature, humidity, pressure, gas content, pump running time/intervals, door open/closed time, actuator position and/or others in the storage unit 2, the central control unit 16 is operatively connected with the one or more sensors. Inside the storage unit a first sensor 33 may be arranged for measuring the temperature and/or the humidity of the inside of the storage unit 2. The first sensor is operatively connected with the central control unit 16, preferably by wire. A second sensor 34 may be arranged inside the storage unit 2 for measuring a pressure and/or a gas content of the inside of the storage unit 2. The second sensor is also operatively connected with the central control unit 16.

Furthermore, a temperature sensor 35 is arranged at the power supply 17 in the survival crafts 5 for measuring a temperature at the power supply 17 in the survival crafts 5 and/or a temperature of the power supply 17, the temperature sensor 35 being operatively connected with the central control unit 16. In addition, a pressure sensor (not shown) may also be arranged for measuring the pressure.

The maritime evacuation system 100 may also comprise one or more temperature altering device(s) 36 arranged in the storage unit 2 or at the storage unit 2. The temperature altering devices may use the vessel's climate equipment or it may be part of the storage unit. The temperature altering devices 36 may be configured to alter the temperature of the inside of the storage unit 2 or an area of the inside of the storage unit 2. The temperature altering device may also be configured to function as climate device for altering the humidity of the inside and/or ventilating the inside of the storage unit 2. In addition, the maritime evacuation system 100 may comprise a second climate device to control the climate inside the storage unit. The second climate device may be a dehumidifier.

The central control unit 16 is configured to maintain the power supply 17 in the survival crafts 5 at a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, the central control unit is also configured to monitor the power level of each power supply 17 and to charge the power supply if it reaches a predetermined lower power level.

The predetermined temperature is between 0 to 35 degrees Celcius, preferably around 20 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore, the maritime evacuation system 100 may also comprise indication means 37 being configured to disclose whether the maritime evacuation system 100 is ready for rescue. In Fig. 9 the indication means 37 is arranged at the storage unit 2 so that it is easily detectable for the crewmembers. However, the indication means may also be part of a controller of the vessel. Fig. 10 shows a part of the storage unit 2 with deflated survival crafts 5 arranged on the yoke. The shells 15 are configured to encompass the deflated structure of the survival crafts 5. Furthermore, the shells 15 are also configured to comprise the engine powered propulsion means (not shown) and the propellers 38. Furthermore, the yoke 8 ensures that a space between the bottom of the storage unit 2 and the survival crafts 5 is created so that air may be circulated below the survival crafts 5.

Figs. 11-13 show different views of the storage unit 2. The walls of the storage unit 2 have been omitted. Figs. 11-12 are views of the storage unit seen from below. In the present embodiment air channels 39 have been arranged below the storage unit for enabling air flow to designated areas of the storage unit 2 and enabling return air. Fig. 13 shows a side view of the storage unit 2 wherein the temperature altering device 36 is arranged. The temperature altering device may have a fan or ventilator for circulating the air in the air channels. The temperature altering device 36 may be configured to cool or heat the air before it is circulated. Hence, the air may be tempered and conditioned air.

In Fig. 14 a part of the inside of a shell 15 is shown. Inside the shell 15 the power supplies 17 are shown in the form of battery packs. As shown by the arrows tempered air may circulated beneath the power supplies by introducing is trough inlets 41 and out through outlet 41. Hereby it is possible to keeping the temperature at the power supply at the predetermined temperatures by circulating tempered air in the vicinity of the power supplies.

Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.