FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
S&T Public Affairs, 202-254-2385
WASHINGTON D.C. —The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), invite innovators to submit solutions for a large capacity floating device to keep survivors out of the water during mass rescue operations. A virtual Industry Day will be held Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT, to discuss the Mass Rescue Operations Life Saving Device Broad Agency Announcement requirement and operational needs.
“The Coast Guard is excited to work with industry partners to develop this cutting edge, mission-critical, lifesaving capability,” said Tom Gogal, Program Manager, Mass Rescue Operations, USCG Office of Search and Rescue.
The USCG is looking for an effective solution to provide short-term lifesaving and rescue assistance in the case of disasters that render existing systems (e.g., onboard lifeboats) inoperable or infeasible. For example, if a large ferryboat or cruise ship is unexpectedly stranded or rapidly sinks, the ship’s crew may not be able to deploy all of the lifeboats. To help prevent loss of life, USCG aircraft or vessels could deploy mass rescue devices at the scene in open water to help passengers stay afloat until rescued. USCG envisions a non-standard, one-time use, large capacity, ultra-lightweight floating device that could be deployed from the air or a vessel.
“The purpose of a large capacity floating device is to solely keep survivors out of the water during mass rescue operations,” said S&T Program Manager Angela Blair. “The commercial marketplace already has large flotation devices, but these are too heavy to be deployed from a USCG helicopter or easily lifted over a vessel’s bulwark for deployment.”
Innovators from industry, academia, and laboratories are welcome to participate in the Virtual Industry Day. Register at Mass Rescue Operations Lifesaving Device BAA Virtual Industry Day.
For more information on S&T's innovation programs and tools, visit: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/work-with-st.
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