Patent ID: 6354892
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B63H,B63J

Abstract:
A safety device for a marine vessel, comprising:an electrical device; an infrared sensor having an output signal representing a change in heat intensity within a viewing angle of said infrared sensor; a tube having a central cavity, said central cavity having a first end and a second end, said infrared sensor being disposed at said first end of said central cavity to receive infrared signals passing along a line of sight defined by said tube in a direction through said central cavity from said second end of said central cavity, said viewing angle of said infrared sensor being defined by a length of said tube and a diameter of said tube, said tube being attached to said marine vessel to direct said line of sight in a generally downward direction toward a surface of water proximate said marine vessel to detect said change in heat intensity in a region proximate said surface of water and proximate said marine vessel; and an alarm circuit connected in signal communication with said infrared sensor and in electrical communication with said electrical device, said alarm circuit being configured to deactivate said electrical device in response to receipt of said output signal from said infrared sensor.