Can this lifebuoy still be called a lifebuoy?

Can this lifebuoy still be called a lifebuoy? Or should it be referred to as a lifebuoy-type rescue tool? Is it actually useful, or is it just a gimmick?

 

Some variation can be used to find someone in trouble and drop / tether some kind of small dedicated rescue / survival device. The rescue/ survival device can be something like a survival suit or a tiny self-inflating packraft that keeps the victim warm.

 

It's not a flotation device with lots of BUOYANCY, so it's not a buoy. Most dictionary meanings agree on 'buoy'. Not booee!
One of those drones, with an EPIRB, VHF radio ch16 (or whatever), and a bright beacon, also carrying a deployable self inflating raft with space blanket and minimal rations, could be very helpful. As portacruise suggests.
Lifesaving clubs could use them to monitor for sharks as well, if fitted with a good camera. Yacht clubs on rough race days.
I'm sure I have seen similar gadgets a couple of years ago.

 

Can this lifebuoy still be called a lifebuoy?

No, it's a flightbuoy!

 

SOLAS clearly defines what a lifebuoy is (I'm not sure if extras like the drone-part are permitted or not) but at least the line wrapped around the lifebuoy is missing and I doubt it fulfills the minimum buoyancy requirement (14.5 kg from head).

 

That makes me think if it's allowed by international law to call it lifebuoy

 

I doubt it. But perhaps. It looks like flotation would be quite inadequate.

 

What kind of device can be considered a flightbuoy?

 

Members of the rescue team from Wuhan Changbeijia Emergency Technology Co., Ltd. also demonstrated a "flying lifebuoy" to the public at the scene. This is a new type of water rescue equipment. Zhang Zhiqiang, a member of the company's rescue team, said that it can fly over the water where a person has fallen into the water, land vertically next to them, and then pull them to safety on shore. When flying, the flying lifebuoy is powered by four rotors, achieving a speed of approximately 12 meters per second. When traveling in the water, it is powered by water jet propulsion, achieving a speed greater than 1.5 meters per second, and can safely and effectively drag one to three adults who have fallen into the water quickly to safety on shore. The person in the water only needs to hold onto the handles on the edge of the flying lifebuoy to float safely on the water's surface.

It doesn't look like there's a lifebuoy at all.

 

That design may only help in situations with ideal conditions , where the victim cannot already swim faster and further? Seems like there wouldn't be enough stored power or speed for towing passengers far from Shore? If there's wind, waves, or currents, they might easily overpower towed victims because of underwater profile, which present a non hydrodynamic shape with a lot of drag while partially submerged? My vote is for gimmick.

Many years ago I purchased a WW2? Army Surplus fighter pilot over water ditch survival kit, stored in a box slightly larger than a shoe box, cost only a few dollars because the inflation canister was missing. It resembled a large oversized mummy sleeping bag when inflated. I had intended to use it for a remote hiking pack in raft, as there was nothing existing available that was as light, compact and durable at that time. Used for my trek into and deployed at Alpine Lakes and such. Didn't work as well as any of the modern pack-in rafts that weigh as little as 2.5 lb and occupy tiny space smaller than a loaf of bread.