AGaPaS: Autonomous Galileo-Supported Rescue Vessel for Persons Overboard

Abstract

For any seagoing mission such as rescue missions, coast guard or pilot duties, crew safety is a key parameter. However, in extreme situations there is always a residual risk for crew members to go overboard. In this case the probability of survival is relatively low until today. This paper presents the joint research project “AGaPaS”, which is aimed to significantly raise the chances of survival for a drifting person. The main objective is to develop a self activating, partially autonomously operating rescue system being able to search, find and rescue people gone overboard. The project accounts for all aspects of the rescue process including: • the life jacket equipped with various sensors and a radio transmitter; • the construction of the rescue vessel; • a real time positioning system for the rescue vessel based on Galileo; • a recovery unit for the person overboard; • a recovery system for the rescue vessel; and • the integration into a conventional bridge system. A crucial part of the rescue process is the recovery of the remotely operating vessel including the retrieved person by a mother ship. Similar problems have already been investigated by the Technical University Berlin before [1], [2]. Whereas launching operations are less critical, the recovery of a boat, especially in severe weather, is a challenging task. Therefore, strength analyses, as well as relative motions are to be systematically investigated using model tests and numerical simulations considering a coupled system consisting of the mother ship with an articulated recovery system and the rescue vessel. Furthermore, the manoeuvrability of the rescue system is evaluated at high sea states. As a result of the research project a fully operational testing model at full scale is designed and built.