Remote motor powered life buoy

[Rjstutch]

Has anybody seen or used one of these USAFE Remote motor powered life buoys before?
I have not seen these before, but I would argue that if you take older or less able people out on your boat, this would be essential. After having to retrieve an older and less able aunt of mine from the water after a 'man overboard', or should I say 'woman overboard' situation near some rocks, this would be essential.
Before i get the usual questions, we were not that close to the rocks when she went over, but by the time we got the sails down and motored back to her the waves and tide pulled her a lot closer towards the rocks. She would have drowned if she was in the water for much longer but we managed to get her on the first attempt, mainly thanks to the fact that her husband was a very strong man able to grab her.

https://youtu.be/5V5el_codwI?si=CPTr2SZyxj8QxH7m

[OldManMirage]

That is awesome ! I wonder if it can move much with a person inside ?

Wonder what it costs ?

[Rjstutch]

Originally Posted by OldManMirage

That is awesome ! I wonder if it can move much with a person inside ?

Wonder what it costs ?

Exactly, I would like to know more but most of the website is oriented to rescue services. They don't show a lot more and it is rather slow to load.
Judging by its speed out to a rescue, and the fact they are jet motors it would still have some reasonable power to bring someone back.

[OldManMirage]

I dunno...lot of difference in weight and drag when adding a person. But still.

Maybe add a remote that you can wear so if you fall overboard it can self launch and come get you !

[CaptTom]

Never mind rescuing anybody. I want one, just to play with!

Yeah, not a lot of information on line. From Engaget:

First introduced in 2017, and since adopted by both the Italian and Portuguese coast guards, the U-Safe is being readied for US release later this year.

[gs41escapade]

Here's a video link from their website showing a mock person retrieval:
https://youtu.be/ni4zXpJi2Ug

[boatpoker]

Impressive.

[OldManMirage]

I take back what I said about weight and drag, obviously it's meant to retrieve the person too.

That is impressive. And it looks like it could be fun !

[Tupaia]

alibaba are listing them for 1 item $4250
Aliexpress (Kingson versions NINGBO KINGSON INTERZCOOL CO.,LTD - Electric pruning shear and electric pruner and Electric Secateurs and Electric vine tying machine and electric tying device and electric grape tying machine and Electric kiwi fruit tying machine and Electric tying ) for circa $7500 in shipping
There seems to be a number of different versions, varying range capabilities ??