A new emergency flotation device out of Sydney, Australia is offering a fresh solution to a familiar problem: how to get help to someone in the water when it’s too rough—or too risky—for a person to make the rescue.
The SOS Rescue Log, developed by marine safety company SOS Marine, is a compact flotation aid designed to be deployed by drone. Sealed for transport and easy to store, the Log auto-inflates on contact with water and provides immediate buoyancy. It’s also equipped with SOLAS-approved water-activated lights and reflective webbing to help rescuers locate a person at night or in poor visibility.
Where it really stands out is in its UAV compatibility. It’s one of the first rescue devices certified for drone deployment and has already proven effective in real-world conditions. In one documented case, a drone dropped the Log to two people struggling in rough seas—a rescue that likely wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
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Key Features
- Drone-ready: Built for deployment by unmanned aerial vehicles in places too dangerous or remote for people to reach.
- Instant flotation: Activates automatically on water contact, with bright colors and lighting for visibility.
- Compact and safe to carry: Vacuum-sealed packaging prevents accidental inflation and makes it easy to stow aboard.
As drones become more common aboard cruising boats—for everything from photography to weather scouting—gear like the Rescue Log may soon have a place alongside the throw ring in a well-equipped MOB kit.
“This isn’t just another piece of gear,” says SOS Marine production manager Tim Ellis. “It opens up entirely new ways to respond when someone’s in trouble.”
For sailors, delivery skippers, and emergency responders alike, the Rescue Log represents a leap forward in remote rescue—especially in situations where time and access are working against them.For more details, visit www.sosmarine.com.
