Abstract:
A flotation device for floating a watercraft is provided. The flotation device comprises a cover releasably secured to the watercraft. A first collapsible tubing is positioned between the cover and the watercraft for removing at least a portion of the cover. At least one inflatable flotation bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft wherein upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing, the first collapsible tubing releases at least a portion of the cover from the watercraft.

Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 09/832,774, filed Apr. 10, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,656, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device”, patent application Ser. No. 09/864,642, filed May 24, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,125, entitled “Float Switch Activation Assembly”, and patent application Ser. No. 09/940,975, filed Aug. 28, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,818, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to flotation devices for watercraft and, more particularly, it relates to an automatically inflating flotation device that would improve the stability of the watercraft and inhibit the watercraft from sinking if the hull was breached. The flotation device is inflatable, either manually or automatically, when a predetermined amount of water entered the hull of the watercraft thereby increasing stability and inhibits sinking. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Boating is both a popular pastime and a vital commercial activity in much of the world today. A boat is often a substantial investment for the owner and/or operator. In the case of commercial boats, the boat is often the livelihood of the owner of the boat. As a general concept, boats sink when the hull of the boat takes on water and the boat loses its buoyancy. This can happen if the hull is breached due to a collision with some object or in heavy waves if the boat is swamped. If the boat sinks, a serious condition exists in that loss of life and loss of property often occurs. 
     A number of patents have been directed to inventions to prevent a boat from sinking, even if the hull was breached. Unfortunately, the previous devices for boat floatation have a number of problems such as being difficult to install and often require manual activation of the device. This is a major concern since many boats often sink unattended at the dock, not out on the open water. 
     The flotation device of the present invention solves these problems and others by being easy to install, either as a retrofit to an existing boat or during manufacture of the boat. In addition, the flotation device of the present invention is designed to automatically deploy when a pre-determined level of water is consistently in the hull of the vessel. The device will not deploy when water merely splashes to that level, preventing unneeded deployment in heavy seas. Once deployed the present invention will keep the boat afloat even if a complete flooding of the hull has occurred. 
     The primary aspect of the present invention is to provide a deployable flotation device to keep the boat floating after water has partially filled the hull of the boat. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a flotation device that does not interfere with the looks or operation of the boat when not deployed. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide for a flotation device that can be easily removed and a new one re-installed after deployment. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a device that is easy to manufacture and install. 
     SUMMARY 
     In particular, the present invention is a flotation device for floating a watercraft The flotation device comprises a cover releasably secured to the watercraft. A first collapsible tubing is positioned between the cover and the watercraft for removing at least a portion of the cover. At least one inflatable flotation bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft wherein upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing, the first collapsible tubing releases at least a portion of the cover from the watercraft. 
     The present invention further includes a method for floating a watercraft. The method comprises releasably mounting a cover to the watercraft, positioning a first collapsible tubing between the cover and the watercraft, positioning at least one inflatable flotation bladder between the cover and the watercraft, inflating the first collapsible tubing thereby removing at least a portion of the cover, and inflating the flotation bladder. 
     Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a flotation device for inflation by a float switch activation assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the flotation device being mounted on a hull of a watercraft; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view illustrating the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the flotation device mounted to the hull adjacent the waterline; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating hull of the watercraft molded to directly receive the flotation device; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, mounted within the hull of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is perspective view illustrating the hull of the watercraft molded with a longitudinal recess and the mounting plate receivable within the longitudinal recess; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the hull of the watercraft of  FIG. 5  with the mounting plate secured within the longitudinal recess; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view illustrating the cover of the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device with a cover-removing tubing in the non-inflated condition; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device beginning the inflation process of the cover-removing tubing from the non-inflated condition; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device continuing the inflation process of the cover-removing tubing; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view illustrating the flotation device having the cover-removing tubing inflated to the inflated condition to remove the cover; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional perspective view illustrating the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention, within a mounting plate mounted to a watercraft; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional perspective view further illustrating the flotation device, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view illustrating the mounting plate of the flotation device, the mounting plate split into two sections to accommodate various sized flotation bladders; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating the flotation bladder having a flattened spirally wound configuration; 
         FIG. 16  is an elevational side view illustrating flotation bladder in a rolled and non-inflated condition; 
         FIG. 17  is an elevational side view illustrating flotation bladder in an unrolled and non-inflated condition; 
         FIG. 18  is an elevational side view illustrating the valve and tongue of the flotation bladder with the flotation bladder being in an unrolled and non-inflated condition; 
         FIG. 19  is an elevational side view illustrating the valve and tongue of the flotation bladder with the flotation bladder in a rolled and non-inflated condition; 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the mounting of the valve within the tongue of the flotation bladder; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view illustrating the valve mounted within the tongue of the flotation bladder; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view illustrating an orifice insertable within the valve to control airflow through the valve; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view illustrating the positioning of the orifice within the valve with each valve having various sized orifices to control air flow to the flotation bladders; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view illustrating the positioned orifice within the valve; 
         FIGS. 25-27  are perspective views illustrating the valve functioning as a check valve to control the direction of airflow to the flotation bladders; 
         FIGS. 28 and 29  are perspective views illustrating the mounting of the flotation bladders and directing bladders to the gas supply lines; 
         FIGS. 30  is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of mounting the flotation bladders and directing bladders to the gas supply lines; 
         FIGS. 31-32  are elevational side views illustrating the embodiment of  FIG. 30  of mounting the flotation bladders and directing bladders to the gas supply lines; 
         FIG. 33  is an elevational side view illustrating the cover-removing tube in the non-inflated position; 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view illustrating the cover-removing tube and the directional bladder in an inflated condition; 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view illustrating the directional bladder and the flotation bladder in an inflated condition; 
         FIG. 36  is a another perspective view illustrating the directional bladder and the flotation bladder in an inflated condition with the directing bladder urging the flotation bladder into the water; 
         FIG. 37  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the flotation device constructed as a splash rail; 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view illustrating the flotation device of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is another perspective view illustrating the flotation device of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 40  is schematic view illustrating an electrical bladder deployment system with self test; and 
         FIG. 41  is another schematic view illustrating the electrical bladder deployment system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As discussed above, the present application is a continuation-in-part of pending patent application Ser. No. 09/832,774, filed Apr. 10, 2001, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device”, pending patent application Ser. No. 09/864,642, filed May 24, 2001, entitled “Float Switch Activation Assembly”, and pending patent application Ser. No. 09/940,975, filed Aug. 28, 2001, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device”, assigned to the same assignee of the present invention. These patent applications are hereby herein incorporated by reference. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a flotation device, indicated generally at  10 , mounted to a watercraft  12  and which activates, either manually or automatically, to maintain the watercraft  12  in a floating condition during the occurrence of a predetermined event such as water entering the watercraft  12 . The watercraft  12  can be any type of watercraft including, but not limited to, pleasure boats, commercial ships, military ships, cruise ships, power boats, row boats, canoes, life boats, rafts, pontoon boats, ski boats, jet skis, etc. 
     The flotation device  10  is preferably mounted on the exterior of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . Preferably, the flotation device  10  has a low profile and an unobtrusive visual presence, so that the flotation device  10  does not significantly affect either the aerodynamic or visual lines of the watercraft  12  when not inflated, as described in further detail below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the flotation device  10  is mounted at approximately the water line  18  on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  can be molded to receive the flotation device  10  of the present invention. In this embodiment, the flotation device  10  is receivable within the molded hull  16  without the need for a mounting plate (as will be described as further below). 
     In another embodiment of the flotation device  10  of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the hull  16  can have a longitudinal recess  20  molded therein and a mounting plate  14  can be co-molded as an extrusion. In this embodiment, the mounting plate  14  is be inserted and secured within the longitudinal recess  20  of the hull  16  after the watercraft  12  is constructed. Securement of the mounting plate  14  within the longitudinal recess  20  of the hull  16  can be accomplished by any means including, but not limited to, adhesive, screws, rivets, bolts, etc. The mounting of the mounting plate  14  within the longitudinal recess  20  reduces the outward extent of the flotation device  10  from the outside of the watercraft  12 . In fact, depending on the depth of the recess  20 , the extent of the flotation device  10  can be even with or below the exterior hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . 
     The mounting plate  14  of each embodiment is preferably constructed from a semi-rigid material, such as UHMW plastic. The mounting plate  14  is preferably constructed from plastic, resin, metal, such as aluminum, or similar material although constructing the mounting plate  14  from different types of material is within the scope of the present invention. The material must be flexible enough to allow the mounting plate  14  to bend to match the curve of the watercraft hull  16  and to allow compression and bending under pressure. However, the material of the mounting plate  14  must to be rigid enough so that the inflation of the flotation bladder  28  will not dislodge the flotation bladder  28  from the mounting plate  14 . 
     Preferably, the mounting plate  14  is mounted to the exterior of the watercraft hull  16  or within the recess  20  using either an adhesive for fiberglass and for metal hulls or screws for wood hulls (not shown). The preferred type of adhesive is a two-part epoxy. The preferred brand of epoxy is DP 190 or 460, manufactured by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M), St. Paul, Minn. Screws (not shown) may be necessary on wooden hulled boats since some adhesive only sticks to the outermost layer of paint on the exterior of the hull  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7-13 , the flotation device  10  of the present invention further includes a cover  22 , a cover-removing tubing  24 , a directing bladder  26 , and a main flotation bladder  28 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the mounting plate  14  has two channels  30 ,  32  spaced apart from each other and extending longitudinally along the length of the mounting plate  14 . The mounting plate  14  can be extruded or otherwise constructed in a single piece or can be constructed in two separate pieces to allow accommodation of various-sized flotation bladders  24 . The two separate pieces of the mounting plate  14  can be moved apart or together during mounting of the mounting plate  14  to accommodate the various flotation bladder  28  sizes. 
     The flexible cover-removing tubing  24  is positioned in at least one of the channels  30 ,  32  of the mounting plate  14 . The cover-removing tubing  24  is constructed from a flexible material so that the cover-removing tubing  24  can be collapsed against itself. When the cover-removing tubing  24  is expanded it substantially fills the channels  30  and/or  32 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 . Operation of the cover-removing tubing  24  and the process of inflating the remainder of the flotation device  10  will be described in further detail below. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 7 , the cover  22  has an interior surface  38 , an exterior surface  40 , a first cover edge  42 , and a second cover edge  44  with the first cover edge  42  and the second cover edge  44  extending longitudinally along the length of the cover  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the first and second cover edges  42 ,  44  are shaped to fit in the channels  30 ,  32 , respectively, on the mounting plate  14 . The cover  22  can be attached to the mounting plate  14  by sliding the first and second cover edges  42 ,  44  into the channels  30 ,  32 , respectively. 
     In the alternative, the cover  22  can be snapped into the channels  30 ,  32  of the mounting plate  14 . In this instance, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-13 , the first and second cover edges  42 ,  44  of the cover  22  have a movable finger  46  provided along each side of the cover  22 . A space  48  between the fingers  46  and the first and second cover edges  42 ,  44  of the cover  22  allow the finger  46  to move into the space  48  toward the first and second cover edges  42 ,  44  and be inserted into the channels  30 ,  32  and to maintain the first and second cover edges  42 ,  44  within the channels  30 ,  32 . 
     The cover  22  of the flotation device  10  of the present invention is preferably constructed from a flexible, durable material, such as thermoplastic rubber, as it is continuously exposed to the elements. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , preferably, the cover  22  is initially formed in a substantially flat position thereby allowing the cover  22  to spring back to the substantially flat position upon release from the mounting plate  14 . Furthermore, a puncture resistant material  23  can be molded within the cover  22  to inhibit objects from piercing the cover  22  and damaging the flotation bladders  28  thereunder. Actual operation of the cover  22  being removed from the mounting plate  14  will be described in further detail below. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the mounting plate  14  is mounted on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  and the cover  22  is in place, the flotation device  10  of the present invention further serves and functions as a bumper to protect the watercraft  12  as it comes in close proximity to a dock or other watercraft. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 37-39 , the cover  22  of the flotation device  10  can operate and function as a splash rail to inhibit wave splash from entering the watercraft  12 , with or without modification to the cover  22 . The cover  22  can be formed with a slot  66  in the exterior surface  40  of the cover  22 . A rope  68  or the like can be inserted into the slot  66  for an aesthetically visual appearance It should be noted that any type of modification to the cover  22 , or no modification at all, to form the splash rail effect is within the scope of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the flotation device  10  includes a first bladder retaining slot  50  and a second bladder-retaining slot  52  extending along the mounting plate  14  between the first channel  30  and the second channel  32 . The first and second bladder retaining slots  50 ,  52  have narrowed necks at the top of the first and second bladder retaining slots  50 ,  52 . The first and second bladder retaining slots  50 ,  52  can be any diameter for retaining any size bladders  26 ,  28  required for maintaining the watercraft  12  in a floating condition. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the flotation bladder  28  of the flotation device  10  of the present invention is folded into a substantially spiral configuration to fit between the mounting, plate  14  and the cover  22 . The flotation bladder  28  can be configured in a round spiral wound or a flat spiral wound. Winding the flotation bladder  28  in a flat spiral wound allows the mounted flotation device  10  to have a lower profile on the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 12 , the directing bladder  26  is folded into a substantially overlaying, serpentine manner to fit between the mounting plate  14  and the flotation bladder  28 . Preferably, the directing bladder  26  and the flotation bladder  28  are made from urethane coated ballistic nylon having the edges lap welded to maintain the integrity of the bladders. It should be noted, however, that it is within the scope of the present invention to construct the directing bladder  26  and the flotation bladder  28  from different types of materials and to seal the material with various types of welds, etc. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 16-19 , the flotation bladder  28  has a tongue portion  54  The tongue portion  54  extends from the flotation bladder  28  and connects to the gas supply. The tongue portion  54  allows the flotation bladder  28  to be spirally wound in a tight manner without interference between a valve  56  and the wound flotation bladder  28 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the valve  56  is welded within the flotation bladder  28 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 22-24 , each valve  56  has varying sized orifices  64  to control the flow of gas to the flotation bladders  28  and allow inflation of the flotation bladders  28  to be timed subsequent to inflation of the cover-removing tubings  24  and the directing bladders  26 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 25-27 , the valve  56  of the flotation device  10  of the present invention can be a check valve. As a check valve, only one-way airflow into the flotation bladders  28  is allowed thereby maintaining the flotation bladders  28  in an inflated condition upon cessation of the airflow thereto. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 28 and 29 , to maintain the directing bladder  26  and the flotation bladder  28  within the first and second bladder retaining slots  50 ,  52 , the directing bladder  26  and the flotation bladder  28  are lap welded about a first gas supply line  58  and a second gas supply line  60 , respectively. The first supply line  58  and the second gas supply line  60  are connected to a first gas supply (not shown) and a second gas supply (not shown), respectively, and receivable within the first and second bladder retaining slots  50 ,  52 , to maintain the directing bladder  26  and the flotation bladder  28  to the mounting plate  14 . The first and second gas supply lines  58 ,  60  also serve as a source for filling the cover-removing tubing  24 , the directing bladder  26 , and the flotation bladder  28  during activation of the flotation device  10 . 
     In another embodiment of the flotation device  10  of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 30-32 , the gas supply lines  58 ,  60 , have a plurality of apertures  62 . The directing bladder  26  and/or the flotation bladder  28  is welded about the gas supply lines  58 ,  60  such that the gas through the gas supply lines  58 ,  60  can flow into the directing bladder  26  and/or the flotation bladder  28 . Check valves (not shown) can be provided within the gas supply lines  58 ,  60  or elsewhere to prevent gas from flowing out of the directing bladders  26  and/or the flotation bladders  28  upon cessation of the gas flow. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 33 , the cover-removing tubing  24  preferably has rigid ends  34  for attaching to a gas supply  36  and connecting the cover-removing tubing  24  together. To remove the cover  22  so that the directing bladder  26  and the flotation bladder  28  can be inflated, inert, compressed gas such as CO 2  is released from the first gas supply and flows through the first gas supply line  58  to inflate the cover-removing tubing  24 , as illustrated in FIG.  34 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 , the cover-removing tubing  24  expands and urges the finger  46  into the space  48  in a direction generally toward the first cover edge  42  of the cover  22 . As the cover-removing tubing  24  inflates, the moved finger  46  clears the first channel  30 . Since the cover-removing tubing  24  and the directing bladder  26  are connected to the same gas supply line, at the same time, the directing bladder  26  is inflating thereby urging the cover  22  in a direction generally away from the mounting plate  14  and removing one side of the cover  22  from the mounting plate  14 . The cover  22  remains connected to the mounting plate  14  in the second channel  32  of the cover  22  and swings out of the way of expanding flotation bladder  28 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 35 and 36 , the flotation bladders  28  are inflated from the second gas supply. The preferred embodiment of the cover-removing tubing  24 , the directing bladder  26 , and the flotation bladders  28  are single bladders that are each a given length and are attached to mounting plate  14  individually. It should be noted that the directing bladders  24  and the flotation bladders  28  can be constructed from more than a single bladder with each portion inflating individually. As will be noted, the directing bladders  26  force the flotation bladders  26  deeper into the water thereby raising the watercraft  12  from the water and limiting the extent of sinking of the watercraft  12 . 
     Either type of the cover-removing tubing  24 , the directing bladder  26 , and the flotation bladder  28  can be used with any of the embodiments of the flotation device  10 . The plurality of directing bladders  26  and the flotation bladders  28  are the preferred embodiment because they are easier to manufacture and makes the flotation device  10  easier to mount on a variety of watercrafts  12 . The cover-removing tubings  24 , the directing bladders  26 , and the flotation bladders  28  are manufactured in a given length and the needed numbers of tubings and bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28  are positioned along the length of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . 
     A float switch activation assembly activates the flotation device  10  of the present invention. The float switch activation assembly is described in pending patent application Ser. No. 09/832,774, filed Apr. 10, 2001, entitled “Automatic Boat Flotation Device” and pending patent application Ser. No. 09/864,642, filed May 24, 2001, entitled “Float Switch Activation Assembly”, assigned to the same assignee of the present invention and which are hereby herein incorporated by reference. 
     The float switch activation assembly is mounted on the inside of the hull  16  of the watercraft  12  and is fluidly connected to the first gas supply. Extending from the float switch activation assembly is the first gas supply line  58  connected to the cover-removing tubings  24  and the directing bladders  26 . Upon activation of the float switch activation assembly, gas flows from the first gas supply through the first gas supply line  58  to the cover-removing tubings  24  and the directing bladders  26  thereby inflating the cover-removing tubings  24  and the directing bladders  26  and removing the cover  22 . 
     As the gas flows to the cover-removing tubing  24  and the directing bladders  26 , the gas also flows from the second gas supply through the second gas supply line  60  to the flotation bladders  28 . It should be noted that redundant gas supplies are within the scope of the present invention for supplying gas to the flotation device  10  in case of a mid-ship collision or compromise of the integrity of the flotation device  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 40 and 41 , the activation of the notation device  10  of the present invention can be accomplished by an electrical bladder deployment system  70  with self test. The electrical bladder deployment system  70  is deployed when the water level within the hull  16  reaches a predetermined level. The electrical bladder deployment system  70  preferably uses multiple sensors in case the vessel experienced pitch or yaw while flooded and can perform a confidence test on demand to assure that the system  70  is operational. In addition, the system  70  is a test system which does not compromise the integrity of the system  70  by inserting additional test elements into the system which could increase the probability of system failures. A system  70  using electronic sensors and a simple control system meets these requirements. The electrical bladder deployment system  70  of the present invention is easily installed in existing vessels without extensive mechanical modifications. 
     A trigger side diagnostic method example will now be described. A normally open diaphragm switch  72 , or the like, sensitive to water level in the range of approximately six (6 in.) inches to approximately twelve (12 in.) inches of water is attached to the interior of the hull  16 . Multiple switches can be mounted, for example, fore and aft, and side to side of the hull  16 . Each diaphragm switch  72  or sensor includes a flow restrictor  74  to provide damping to reduce the occurrence of false triggering Each switch also includes a test T  76  and ball check  78  connected to a test system to be described later. 
     From each diaphragm switch  72 , a hose is connected to a location in hull  16  where it is desired to monitor water level. When the water rises to a predetermined level, the diaphragm switch is triggered sending current from the preferred Lithium-ion battery source  80  through a latching electrically operated valve  82 , such as a motor driven type, allowing compressed gas to inflate the flotation bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28  preventing the watercraft  12  from sinking. An auxiliary contact  84  can be closed by some external system such as a fire mitigation system or manual intervention to deploy the bladders  24 ,  26 ,  28  without use of the float switches. 
     The electrical bladder deployment system  70  of the present invention also allows operational checking to prove out the valve connection, battery strength, and switch operation to obtain confidence testing of the system. The switch  86  is the test switch. In one state, the system  70  is in normal operation. In the other state, as shown, the test function is activated. A resistor  88  presents a load to the battery equivalent to the load of the latching valve  82  to assure adequate power is available to operate the valve  82 . Voltage is monitored at test point A by a voltmeter or analog to digital converter. Resistors  90  and  92  allow a small test current to flow through the latching valve  82  which does not resulting deployment, voltage point B is used to measure the resistance and wiring drop to the valve  82  by a voltmeter or analog to digital converter connected to a test system. 
     To test the diaphragm switch  86 , a small pressure is placed on the test line  94  connected to the ball check valve  78  to close the switch  86  while monitoring the voltage at test point B which will be reduce in value during the time the pressure is above the test value  82 . Flow restrictor  74  bleeds off the test pressure allowing normal operation. With multiple diaphragm switches each can be pressurized in sequence or multiple sense resistors  92  can be used to determine switch closure during test. A test system can present the result of the test with an indicator showing for example red for system unsafe or green for system test passed. Alternatively voltmeter readings may be interpreted to determine system readiness. A microprocessor may be used to sequence and automate the tests. 
     A pressure-side diagnostic method example will now be described. Electronic or mechanical pressure switches are monitored to confidence-test the bag-side system integrity. Pressure tank  96  contains compressed gas, CO 2  for example, for inflating the floatation bladders  26 ,  28 . Pressure sensors can be simple pressure switches or electronic pressure sensors. The sensor outputs are connected to a test controller and power supply  98  which may contain a microprocessor. Tests can be started by the user or run automatically through terminal  100 , for example when starting the engines and the test results may be displayed with more or less detail for the user. The sensor  102  monitors the inflation pressure tank to assure a minimum pressure exists in the system. The sensor  104  is located at the pressure release valve to assure that line pressure is available. Flow limiting valve  106  and regulator  108  are actuated to apply a small pressure to the bladder deployment manifold  110  this can be the same low pressure source as used in the float switch test above. Pressure at the far side of the manifold is monitored by sensor  112 . If the system is free of leaks sensor  112  can also be used as a leak-down test to determine if any small leaks exist in the system  70  by waiting a predetermined time and determining if the pressure is still above a minimum acceptable level. Using another sensor  114  and the low pressure source, a similar test can be run on the cover  22  (rub rail) to assure it has not been breached. Check valve  116  assures that high pressure is not fed to the cover  22  during deployment alternatively a small orifice may be used to limit gas flow. 
     The above methods may be combined or used separately. Test results can be reported back to other vessel safety systems. 
     The flotation device  10  of the present invention, when activated, increases the beam of the watercraft  12  thereby increasing the stability of the watercraft  12  to inhibit the watercraft  12  from tipping over during rough water conditions. The flotation device  10  of the present invention can also provide an emergency notification signal or other type of signal based on the water level in the hull  16  of the watercraft  12 . Furthermore, the flotation device  10  can be used as a splash rail. 
     The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.