| 摘要 |
<p>A system for determining the location of the sinking of a vessel by providing a seaworthy box (54) that is automatically ejected from the vessel at the time of sinking and that has a battery (126) aboard the box for powering a radio transmitter (130) that sends distress signals that enable a rescue vessel to locate the ejected box. The system employs a water-activated release mechanism (52) and a stationary box with which the ejected box mates. When the release mechanism operates the box is ejected and at the same time the radio transmission commences. The release mechanism can also be used to release life savers and life boats. The ejected box has a printing system (142) for registering any faults that may have occurred prior to sinking. The vessel may be provided with fire detectors, for example, and operation of a detector is registered along with the time of detector operation to thus provide a chronologic log of all important events. An important part of the system is the automatic sea compass (80) which continuously records longitude and latitude position. This information, particularly at the time of sinking, is recorded on the printing system (142) in the ejected box (54) so that when the box is located there is an immediate visual indication of longitude and latitude at the time of sinking.</p> |
