Good Design Australia 2012

Sport and Leisure

Sea Scoopa

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Seascoopa Pty Ltd

SOS Marine

Creative Covers and Awnings Pty Ltd

Designed in

Australia

Description

"Man overboard" (MOB) is the cause of 80% of deaths at sea. The Sea Scoopa is designed to rescue a MOB.

There are 3 components:
1. A net to securely capture the MOB.
2. A method of lifting the MOB from the water to the deck of the vessel called a Parbuckle.
3. A detachable stretcher into which the victim is rolled.

The device is patented and trademarked overseas. Following extensive testing it has just been approved by the Royal Australian Navy who are in the process of placing an order.

Key Features
and/or Benefits

Securely captures the MOB whilst the boat is in motion

The device is a rectangular net which is constructed to create a scoop shape so as to pluck the victim from the water. The front edge is weighed down by 8mm chain so it is submerged and the aft edge is held at water level by a taut rope. The whole device is held out by 2 poles whilst the outer edge is a float. The MOB is securely netted whilst the boat is in motion and hence steerable. All other rescue devices require the boat to be stationary and this can make capture very difficult and expose the rescue craft to further danger in wild seas.

Lifts the victim who can weigh up to 200kgs in waterlogged clothing onto the deck of the rescue vessel

The net has 6 sets of 3 handles attached horizontally across its width. These handles are lifted up sequentially by 2 or more crew members. The PARBUCKLE is beneficial in that it decreases the load by 50% whilst log-rolling the victim up the side of the vessel, thus decreasing the risk of back injury to the crew.

The lifting is horizontal which is medically recommended in marine rescues as it reduces risk of further injuries to the patient and prevents "circum-rescue" collapse which can occur with vertical lifting.

Rolls the MOB into a detachable stretcher

As the MOB reaches the deck he rolls into a lightweight stretcher which is attached to the net on one side and the crews' life jackets on the other.

Using this stretcher the victim can then be moved to a place of safety. The stretcher also incorporates 2 straps for securely immobilising the victim during this process.

Constructed using quality marine components and NATA certified for lifting purposes

The device is enclosed in a strong, compact and zipped bag for ease of carriage and deployment on the boat.

The component parts are robust and non-perishable marine grade nylon net, PVC, polyester webbing, stainless steel and fibreglass.

Marine safety colours of orange and yellow.

SOLAS approved reflective tape for use in low visibility conditions.

The net and stretcher have been NATA tested to RAN standards to a load of 300kg that is well in excess of any anticipated load.

Appropriate marketing safeguards and quality documentation and instructions for both the local and export markets

The "Sea Scoopa" concept has patents pending in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Europe. Also the trade mark "Sea Scoopa" is registered in all the above countries.

The website www.seascoopa.com contains full particulars of the device including videos and a complete set of downloadable illustrated instructions.