Laser Flare... Receiver?

[agprice22]

I Have seen the Laser Flare product online, and an idea came to mind. How about equipping search planes, boats and ships with a laser detector that can be activated by a Laser Flare? The idea would be that the person in need of rescue would be able to alert a passing vessel of his presence; thus, allowing the vessel to search and home in on the Laser Flare whether the driver can see it or not. If the vessel, or aircraft, had a detector pointing ahead, behind, and to each side, the driver would know from where the activation was coming.

Police already use lasers to detect speed, and drivers use laser detectors to locate the police. I realize this is a much simplified example, but it shows the concept is already in use.

With such a device, stranded boaters would not helplessly watch as potential rescuers fly or sail by. I know other products exist to alert passing ships and planes, but this one would be more passive on the part of the passing vessel.

Anyway, maybe this is already out there, or maybe I just gave away my million dollar idea! Who knows.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Rick Webb]

One Issue

I am not sure I'd want someone pointing a laser up at me while I am out flying around scanning the open water maybe even with binoculars looking for them. Even worse with NVGs.

 

[dparilla]

The new laser flares by greatland are eye safe at 12 feet and use an arc not a point. By aligning the arc vertically you simply sweep across your target and the pilot will see a bright flashing red light. They are a bright but non blinding flash even on NVGs. I have tested these flares extensively with sea and air receivers. There is no need for a detector as the light is distinct and noticeable to even an unalerted pilot. The actual strobe effect created the the sweep is unambiguous and does not look like a muzzle flash or a laser pointer. We had successful testing with the need laser at 5 miles ship to ship at twilight and 3 miles in pouring rain between small boats. Air assets could easily make out the signal at greater than 20 miles at night and 10 miles in the day! The green laser boasts better ranges but I have not yet tested them on the water.

 

[agprice22]

Ok, so the laser flares are safe and effective, but you cannot see what is behind you or too far to the side, and it is easy to miss a point of light in a vast expanse of ocean, especially if you aren't even looking for it. There are many examples of vessels searching and missing by mere miles, in sight of the persons needing rescue. Perhaps the persons needing rescue didn't have lasers. However, if they did, it doesn't mean the nearby vessel would see the laser. A laser detector would alert the nearby vessel of the proximity of a person in need of rescue. The person in need of rescue would be the one to trigger the alert. The placement of 4 detectors would help indicate the direction and location of the person in need of rescue.


Thanks for the info on the laser flares!

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[dparilla]

I have worked search and rescue for 20 years, both at sea and land, and the earlier strobes and even laser pointers were very hard to discern. The new laser flares are amazing to see in action, but you are correct in that an unalerted ship would probably not notice them. The problem is the directional nature of the light. Even a detector will not go off unless directly lased. You have just as good a chance of directing the flare at the bridge or cockpit where you know someone is watching than to an undefined location on the vessel. However laser detectors do exist but unfortunately are very difficult to calibrate and are easily triggered by moonlight off of clouds and waves. This is not to say that technology will not improve to make them viable, but for my money I would be sure to have a suite of signalling devices to catch attention. I will chat with my buddies in the electro optics realm and see where the state of the art is for detectors.

 

[agprice22]

Thanks! Very interesting, and I am glad you responded. You clearly have the expertise to consider the question. I also imagine technology could solve the problem of false positives or even mischievous intent. Perhaps a little advancement in technology could put the power of detection in the hands of those in need of rescue instead of the searchers. Kind of like the needle showing you where it is in the haystack whether you are looking for it or not!

I agree that I would want a whole suite of devices too: radio, epirb, flare, mirror, laser, blow-up Godzilla pool float... Whatever it takes!

Thanks, I will look forward to hearing what your contacts say.

Thanks,

Andrew