Rescue method and system for an overboard passenger

A method of rescuing an overboard victim, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a transmitter to a plurality of passengers on a ship, said transmitter operable to be activated when immersed in water;
• detecting a signal transmitted by an activated said transmitter;
• determining a location of said activated transmitter;
• and
• launching a self-powered locomotive flotation device from said ship, and sending commands to said device, said commands comprising instructions to navigate by way of said self-powered locomotion towards said determined location of said activated transmitter;
• wherein said transmitter is part of a device which further functions as a key on said ship.

A method of rescuing an overboard victim comprising:

• providing a plurality of cards to passengers on a ship, each of said cards having a water-activated, signal-transmitting beacon and wherein each of said cards is a key to at least one room on said ship;
• detecting a signal being transmitted from a said beacon;
• determining that said signal is being emitted from a location outside of confines of said ship;
• determining a direction of said transmission of said signal using a directional antenna employing a direction finding technique;
• approximating a distance of said beacon from said ship;
• launching a self-powered locomotive flotation device of a plurality of self-powered locomotive flotation devices mounted at varying points on said ship, said self-powered locomotive flotation device determined to be closest of said plurality of said locomotive flotation devices to said beacon;
• and
• directing said self-powered locomotive flotation device towards said beacon using a motor on said rescue device.