Abstract: A system for mooring a floating storage vessel (10) in the open sea for remaining on station at all times without any disconnection of the vessel (10) from the mooring system. The mooring system includes a plurality of anchor legs (26) connected to a turret (20) in the well (18) of the vessel (10) with at least one submerged support buoy (28) for each anchor leg (26). The submerged support buoy (28), by supporting a substantial portion of the weight of the associated anchor leg (26), reduces the vertical loads on the turret bearings (46, 48) and permits the turret (20) to be easily rotated from the torque exerted by the anchor legs (26) without any separate turret drive means. The system includes in FIG. 5 an embodiment in which a plurality of support buoys (28A) are provided for each anchor leg (26A). The system includes in FIG. 6 an embodiment in which the floating storage vessel (10B) is permanently moored to a mooring buoy (25B) secured by a plurality by anchor legs (26B) to the sea bed (16B).

Abstract: A bearing support structure is disclosed for a turret (10A) mounted for rotation within a well (50A) of a moored vessel. The bearing support structure has a turret bearing assembly (900A) which may tilt about a tilting axis (783A, FIG. 3) relative to a lower bearing support structure (764A) mounted on the vessel. The turret bearing assembly (760A) has a retainer ring (794A) below a peripheral slot (782A) in a turret ring (102A); a segmented key (596A) fits in slot (782A). The retainer ring (794A) is supported on an annular abutment (780A) on turret ring (102A). A filler material (781A) is provided in an annular space or clearance between turret ring (102A) and retainer ring (794A) to tighten the joint therebetween. A construction method is also disclosed for first placing a mooring turret in the well of the vessel and later installing a bearing assembly between the vessel and the turret by lowering it over the top of the turret.

Abstract: A loading/unloading terminal, especially for use in loading or unloading of petroleum products comprises a barge (1) provided with a downwardly open receiving space (2) for reception and releasable securement of a submerged buoy (20), and a submerged buoy (20) of the type comprising a bottom-anchored center member (21) for passage of medium from or to a transfer line (32) attached to the center member, and an outer member (23) rotatably mounted on the center member (21) to allow turning of the barge (1;40) about the center member (21) when the outer member (23) is secured in the receiving space (2) of the barge. The barge (1) further is provided with a coupling means (4) for connection of the passage (22) of the center member (21) to a line (9) for medium transfer to or from an adjacent conventional tanker, and with a means (10-14) for hoisting and introduction of the buoy (20) into the receiving space.

Abstract: A propeller shroud affixable around the propeller of a water craft. The shroud has a generally cylindrical member which closely surrounds the outer periphery of the blades of the propeller. The front edge of the shroud is deeply concaved to reduce water resistance. Preferably the shroud has several reinforcing blades which are vertically oriented when viewed from the front, but angled rearwardly from the top of the shroud to the bottom. The shroud protects the propeller against damage from rocks, sandbars and the like.

Abstract: A unique through-hull water pickup device for mounting in a watercraft below the water line where the layer of water next to the hull is known as the boundary layer. The device includes a flange having a curved lip provided with grooves that channel water into the watercraft at a suitably low and fairly constant pressure or head and with low drag at varying speeds of the watercraft.

Abstract: An arrangement for a sailing boat which exhibits a jib furling system (2) comprising a sail furling part (5) extending between the hull and mast of the boat, which sail furling part is rotatably driven by means of a manually actuated operating line (6) which drives a drive part (7) that is connected to the aforementioned sail furling part (5) to achieve furling of the foresail around the aforementioned rotatable sail furling part (5), and so that unfurling of the sail from the aforementioned sail furling part (5) is possible. A gear (9) is arranged between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5). The gear (9) is provided with devices to enable gearing to be obtained between the aforementioned drive part (7) and the rotatable sail furling part (5).

Abstract: A hinged stairway system for water vehicles containing a stairway for use in the water, a hinge secured to the stairway, a hinge angle or spacer bar secured to the hinge, a slotted snag-free adapter securable to the water vehicle into which the hinge angle or spacer bar fits. The hinged stairway system also contains a spring lock system secured to the slotted adapter and the hinge bar. The hinged stairway system may also contain a chair lift system secured to the stairway to permit a chair to be raised and lowered mechanically on the stairway.

Abstract: In a power tilt device, an opening/closing valve is arranged in a free piston, and an operating member is arranged within a piston rod of a piston and piston rod assembly contained within a closed cylinder. The operating member contacts a supply of hydraulic fluid from an opposite piston side space of a free piston to a first chamber above the piston by opening the opening/closing valve when coming into contact with an end wall of the cylinder during an upward tilting phase of the boat motor. Upon contact, the piston rod is extended outside of the cylinder causing a discharge of hydraulic fluid from the first chamber to an external reservoir, during which time the piston side space and the opposite side space of the free piston are fluidly interconnected.

Abstract: A towable watercraft is provided with a tow bar which extends over a front portion of a hull of the watercraft, and downwardly along the outside of the hull front portion to an elevation where a tow line can be secured to an end portion of the tow bar. A steering system operates the tow bar to pivot the tow bar and the hull relative to each other as the watercraft is being towed. The steering system includes a steering column turned by a steering wheel or bar, a steering drive shaft secured to the tow bar and pivotally supported relative to the hull, and a gear mechanism or a pulley mechanism linking the steering column and the steering drive shaft and providing a substantial mechanical advantage. A housing is provided for the steering system to contain the drive shaft and the linking mechanism.

Abstract: An inflatable garment is provided including a hollow belt. Also included is a pair of hollow shoulder straps with bottom terminal ends of the shoulder straps integrally coupled to the belt in communication therewith. Also included is an inflation assembly for inflating both the belt and shoulder straps.

Abstract: A propulsion apparatus for coupling to the stern of a boat is provided having at least one afterplane attached to the stern. At least one motor is positioned onto each corresponding afterplane, where each motor has a propeller positioned above the top surface of the afterplane, such that the propeller does not extend substantially beyond the peripheral boundaries of the afterplane to protect the propeller. Each afterplane may be pivotally raised or lowered so that during operation of the motor, the axis of the propellers are parallel with the plane of the water for propelling the boat. The afterplanes may also be pivotally raised or lowered for planing the boat.

Abstract: A personal watercraft includes a component arrangement which reduces heat exposure to many critical, heat-sensitive components of the watercraft. The personal watercraft includes a calalyzer within an exhaust system to treat engine exhaust before discharge. The catalyzer operates at a high temperature. Heat-sensitive components of the engine, such as, for example, fuel and coolant supply lines and electrical and mechanical cables, are positioned on a side of a longitudinal center line of the watercraft opposite of the catalyzer. This arrangement reduces the degree of heat exposure experienced by these engine components to improve their function and durability.

Abstract: The apparatus has front and rear floatable members pivotally coupled together such that the two members may turn relative to each other. A seat is coupled to the rear member for supporting a person. Paddles are coupled to a paddle shaft supported by the front member. Pedals are coupled to the paddle shaft for rotating the paddles shaft and hence the paddles for movement of the paddles through the water for moving the apparatus in the water. In the preferred embodiment, a paddle support member is coupled to opposite ends of the paddle shaft and paddles are coupled to the outward sides of the paddle support members. In another embodiment, two rods are pivotally coupled to opposite sides of the rear end of the front member respectively. Paddles are coupled to the lower ends of the two rods respectively. Each of the paddles includes two plate members pivotally coupled to the lower end of its rod.

Abstract: A kick boat employing a hinged frame design provides an infinitely adjustable foot rest and leg support, and infinitely adjustable mainframe positioning. No tools are required to assemble and disassemble the boat. The hinged frame is structured and arranged to collapse and partially rotate to form a back pack frame. Alternatively, the hinged frame may be fully rotated to a fully collapsed space minimizing storage position. A cargo bay restraining system is also provided.

Abstract: A powerboat propelling system is composed of an engine, a water tract, a propeller, and a stator. The water tract is provided with a water inlet, a nozzle having a water outlet, and a midsection in which the propeller is mounted. The stator is composed of a frame, an axial portion, and a plurality of stator blades fastened with the frame and the axial portion. The axial portion has a front segment and a rear segment. The front segment and the frame form therebetween a first circular space forming a portion of the water tract, whereas the rear segment and the nozzle form therebetween a second circular space forming a portion of the water tract. The first and the second circular spaces have a cross-sectional area which becomes gradually smaller from one end thereof toward another end thereof contiguous to the nozzle for accelerating the flow of water in the water tract without increasing the length of the stator or nozzle.

Abstract: A device for attaching pontoon forms of watercraft to rigid keels. The invention utilizes an elongate member attached to the keel. The elongate member includes an arcuate form having a surface that substantially conforms a portion of the surface of the pontoon. The elongate member also includes a channel which receives a lip extending radially from the pontoon. The interference between the channel and the lip prevent the pontoon from being radially removed from the elongate member. The surface of the arcuate form may include ridges.

Abstract: A stabilized float drum is shown having interlocking side and end walls and an upper compartment filled with a flotation medium such as closed cell foam and a lower member with a selected number and size of holes in the surfaces thereof to admit water which then acts as a stabilizing force when the float is subjected to upsetting wave action or eccentric loads. The degree of stabilization or damping is controlled by the relative size of the lower member and the size, placement and number of holes.Various baffle members are shown which provide varying degrees of resistance to unwanted displacement of floating docks.

Abstract: A weed grate for a watercraft having a jet propulsion unit. The weed grate includes a plurality of cantilever tines each joined to a pivot rod. The cantilever tines extend across the inlet opening for the jet drive to prevent debris from entering through the water inlet opening. A spring member is mounted between the cantilever tines and a mounting frame such that the spring member provides an outward rotational bias force against the rotatable cantilever tines. During operation of the watercraft, if a mass of weeds becomes clogged in the cantilever tines, the upward and inward suction force of the jet drives causes the cantilever tines to rotate upward against the rotational bias force and allow the weeds to be ingested by the jet drive.

Abstract: A towboat uses a dampening system with a towline to tow a vessel. The dampening system includes a housing, a beam, a first towline connector, a second towline connector, a spring and a plurality of shock absorbers. The housing is attached to the towboat. The beam is slidably coupled within the housing. The spring resiliently couples the beam to the housing. Each shock absorber is connected to the housing and mechanically coupled to the beam. The towline connector is mechanically coupled to the beam. The towline is connected to the towline connector.

Abstract: An assembled sail powered vehicle, including: a sail; a frame for supporting the sail, the frame including a plurality of elongated rigid frame members, a plurality of joint assemblies releasably captured between the ends of respective of the frame members, and a plurality of elongated flexible members, the flexible members being connected between respective of the joint assemblies, and the flexible members and joint assemblies cooperating to apply compression loads to the frame members; and structure for supporting the frame for movement across a surface.