Autonomous rescue vehicle

An autonomous aquatic vehicle comprising:

• a) a watercraft comprising a vessel body with a motor, a propulsion mechanism that is operatively connected to the motor, and a steering mechanism in the form of handlebars joined to said vessel body, wherein said vessel body comprises a hull and a deck and the motor is disposed between the hull and the deck, wherein said watercraft comprises at least one seat for a person to ride in or on said watercraft;
• b) a speed control joined to said watercraft and in communication with said motor;
• c) a directional control joined to said watercraft and in communication with said steering mechanism;
• d) an autonomous control system on board said watercraft and in operative communication with said directional and speed controls;
• and
• e) a search device joined to said watercraft.

A method of rescuing a person on a body of water, said method comprising the steps of:

• 1) providing an autonomous aquatic rescue vehicle comprising:
• a) a watercraft comprising a vessel body with a motor, a propulsion mechanism that is operatively connected to the motor, and a steering mechanism joined to said vessel body, wherein said watercraft comprises at least one seat for a person to ride in or on said watercraft;
• b) a speed control joined to said watercraft and in communication with said motor;
• c) a directional control joined to said watercraft and in communication with said steering mechanism;
• d) an autonomous control system on board said watercraft and in operative communication with said directional and speed controls;
• and
• e) a search device joined to said watercraft, wherein the search device is configured to gather signals relating to the location of a person or object that is the subject of a search;
• 2) deploying the autonomous rescue vehicle onto the body of water in the general location of a person isolated on a body of water;
• 3) allowing the vehicle to autonomously navigate to a designated waypoint near the isolated person using said autonomous control system;
• 4) receiving signals from the search device to locate the isolated person;
• 5) navigating the autonomous rescue vehicle to the location of the isolated person so that the isolated person is within reach of the rescue vehicle;
• and
• 6) providing the isolated person with the use of the autonomous rescue vehicle to return to safety.