Abstract: A watercraft has a center part of the aft deck protruding upwardly to form a saddle, and the top of the deck in front of and on both sides of said saddle is formed into a continuous U-shaped stepping surface so that the operator sitting on the saddle can operate the craft with his/her legs stretched forward. Preferably, the lower part of the saddle is formed into an engine compartment so as to collectively arrange an engine, an oil tank, a muffler and other auxiliary parts inside the engine compartment. The fore portion of the hull may be formed into an equipment compartment and a fuel tank compartment, and a hatch cover may be installed over the opening of the equipment compartment so that the opening can be opened and closed by pivoting the cover.

Abstract: An alarm system for a boat includes a sensor unit which is securable to an exterior hull surface of a boat for sensing increased displacement of the boat in the water, such as caused by unauthorized boarding or taking on water. The alarm system further includes a signalling unit in the boat for signalling an attendant or owner when the displacement of the boat has increased and a switching assembly for actuating the system.

Abstract: A small watercraft has a hull formed such that the center of buoyancy is slightly aft of the structural center measured in the longitudinal direction of the hull. The craft is equipped with an engine mounted near the center of buoyancy within the hull, and has such auxiliary parts as an oil tank and a muffler which are arranged around the engine. The upper portion of the wall surrounding the engine compartment for the engine may be constructed to protrude upwardly, and a hood with a seat may be mounted over the compartment opening such that the hood can be removed. The joint between the bottom edge of the hood and the upper edge of the surrounding wall of the engine compartment may be located above the draft line of the hull when it is stationary and occupied by the rated number of persons.

Abstract: An oscillationless semisubmerged high-speed vessel comprises at least one lower hull submerged below the water surface in the cruising state of the vessel, an upper hull above the water surface and struts connecting the lower hull and an upper hull. The lower hull possesses horizontal fins controlling longitudinal and transverse oscillations of the vessel, steering devices, water ballast tanks for adjusting water line of the vessel and propelling means. The struts are so designed that the water plane area is small so as to minimize the oscillation force, i.e. the vessel does not have a self-stabilizing ability both longitudinally and transversely with only reverse buoyancy kept by the struts when the vessel heels. The struts are constructed to have a sufficient strength for connection of the lower hull and an upper hill. The bulged structures are constructed to contain the propelling means.

Abstract: A high speed planing watercraft includes a pitch stabilization system having variable pitch canard airfoils controlled by a control system incorporating a gyroscope for accommodating constantly changing hydrodynamic forces on the hull.

Abstract: A planing type self-righting boat having rigid pontoons forming its perimeter structure independent of interior inflation and which, during the vessel's normal operation, protect conventional or modified interior inflatable pontoons which elements together are used in whole or in part as essential mechanical components in the automatic self-righting of the vessel upon capsizing. The self-righting of the vessel after capsizing is effected by the creation of a negative buoyancy and subsequent sinking of that portion of the vessel whereby this submerging action combined with the weight and configuration of the vessel cause it to rotate underwater to a position beyond perpendicular to its capsized position while the vessel is supported by the buoyancy retained in the remainder of its pontoon structure.

Abstract: A semi-submersible crane vessel has a chamber (3) which is open to the sea at the bottom. A piston (4) is movable up and down in the chamber by means of hydraulic jacks (5 and 6) acting on piston rod (7). The part (10) of the chamber above the piston contains air, which may be pressurized via air valve (13) to balance the pressure on both sides of the piston. To stabilize the vessel during movement of a load on the crane (2), the piston is moved in the chamber. This alters the underwater volume of the vessel and therefore its buoyancy.

Abstract: A submarine includes a body and two ballast tanks. The ballast tanks are moveable from an up or diving configuration to a down or beach configuration. With the ballast tanks in the diving configuration and full of water, the submarine normally floats awash, and can be caused to dive at shallow depths for sight-seeing. With the ballast tanks full of air and in the beach configuration, the body will float substantially out of water, and the submarine may be beached or brought to a wharf for easy boarding or debarkation. In the diving configuration, the submarine is identical above and below a horizontal central plane.

Abstract: The drogue (1) has a steering system (8) which may be assisted by a rudder (4). The drogue is steered by varying the towing angle by applying a longitudinal differential force to the rope (6). The drogue is highly stable. It is capable of effectively countering the heeling torque of a boat (5). It may also be used for performing experiments at a distance from acoustic interference from the towing vessel. It may also be used for steering the course of a free balloon above the waves within a downwind sector.

Abstract: A device for eliminating the risk of disturbing heeling at loading and unloading of a ship (10) lying at a quay (12). The device includes a motor-operated winch (18) on the ship, the winch having a drawing member (20) in the form of one or more wires, belts or the like. This drawing member is arranged for attachment to the quay and runs out from the ship at a place (24) below the surface of water.

Abstract: In order to reduce the economic impact of segregated ballast requirements for tanker vessels, heavy ballast, for example concrete, is placed in the segregated ballast tanks in amount to occupy 30 to 50% of the free volume of the tank. The rest of the tank may be filled with water ballast. The use of heavy ballast provides a total ballast weight equal to that obtainable with a greater number of tanks filled with water ballast only, thus increasing the available cargo space.

Abstract: My invention is directed to a means and method for positioning a stabilizer on a boat such as a small pleasure boat and a fishing boat. There is a boom on the deck of the fishing boat. The guide on the end of the boom assists in positioning the line and the stabilizer on the end of the line away from the hull of the boat.

Abstract: A boat stabilizing system for use with a boat having vertically-oriented tubular sockets adjacent the gunwales thereof. Vertically-oriented upright members in contact with the bottom extend upwardly through the water adjacent the tubular sockets. A clamping member is associated with each upright member and includes a tubular sleeve that slidingly overfits the upright member. Each tubular sleeve includes a screw clamp for securing the tubular sleeve to the upright. An arm secured to the tubular sleeve is sized to overlie the gunwale of the boat and includes a downwardly-extending pin member that is sized to be receivable in the tubular socket.

Abstract: Vessels and the like require cleaning either periodically or whenever a need arises to remove various living things such as seaweeds and shells or contaminants such as oil for the sake of appearance and proper performance. Divers were conventionally employed to manually remove them one by one using a scraper as one means to remove such substances. Such manual operation is, however, extremely inefficient, involving great amounts of time and labor especially for large ships. According to the present invention, the main body of a cleaning apparatus is pressed against an underwater object to be cleaned by means of impellers which are provided substantially at the center of the main body and driven to rotate, whereby cleaning brushes which are provided at the bottom of the cleaning apparatus concentrically with the impellers are rotated to remove substances adherent to the object while the cleaning apparatus is manipulated to run on the object's surface.

Abstract: The invention is a water lifter for use on knocked down multi-hull sailboats. The water lifter comprises a water bucket attached to one or more bucket lines which in turn are attached to one or more down pulleys. The down pulleys are in turn connected by pulley ropes to one or more top pulleys to provide sufficient mechanical advantage for a small single person to lift the water bucket out of the water. The top pulleys are attached to the uppermost hull of the knocked down multi-hull craft. On small sailboats, a single small person then braces his feet against the down hull, and positions his back against the water bucket, and pushes the water bucket as far as he or she can from the down hull, using his or her strong leg and back muscles.

Abstract: A vessel with a ballast system including a plurality of ballast tanks provided with means for feeding water into the tanks and expelling water therefrom and an air bubbling system including underwater openings and means for blowing air through said openings into the water surrounding said vessel. The ballast system and the air bubbling system include a common tube system being alternatively connectable to the ballast tanks, for operating the filling and emptying of the tanks, and to the air bubbling system for conducting air to the underwater openings as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,204.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning underwater surfaces and including at least one rotatable brush, and at least one pump the generating a stream of water passing from the front to the rear of the brush to hold the apparatus against an object to be cleaned. The apparatus can be readily manipulated and held in any desired attitude as a result of the brush being surrounded by an annular tube containing two immiscible materials of different specific gravity, such as a solid and a liquid, or two immiscible liquids.

Abstract: A pyramid constructed of upstanding inflatable beam members extending from an inflatable base upwardly to an apex. The inflatable base carries an integral sea anchor depending therefrom, comprising an inflatable cross tube carrying a centrally depending inflatable anchor tube with an achor weight positioned in the lowermost end portion thereof. The sea anchor includes a plurality of flood ports positioned in lower flat panels of flexible sheet material extending between the base and the end of the anchor tube to form a pyramidal surface enclosing the vertical anchor tube and weight. Upper flat panels of flexible sheet material extend between the upstanding inflatable beam to form a pyramidal surface. The upper panels include an upper radar reflective panel portion, a lower colored panel portion, and a translucent panel portion positioned between the upper and lower panel portions. A solar still mechanism is positioned within the enclosure formed by the pyramidal surface.

Abstract: A trimaran sailing boat permitting the automatic return to a stable equilibrium corresponding to a normal sailing position from any position. This is accomplished by filling of submergeable watertight floats with water and rapid discharge of the water which causes the automatic rotation of the floats. The force developed causes the return to the normal sailing position.

Abstract: A vessel with a ballast system including a plurality of ballast tanks provided with pumps for feeding water into the tanks and expelling water therefrom and an air bubbling system including underwater openings and compressors for blowing air through said openings into the water surrounding said vessel. The ballast system and the air bubbling system include a common tube system being alternatively connectable to the ballast tanks, for operating the filling and emptying of the tanks, and to the air bubbling system for conducting air to the underwater openings as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,204.

Abstract: A ballast apparatus for aiding in righting a capsized boat comprises a container for holding a quantity of water as ballast and includes a support for securing the container full of water to a person outwardly of the boat for exerting a righting moment thereon. The container is formed of flexible sheet material and is changeable between an opened condition for receiving and holding a quantity of water as ballast and a relatively flat collapsed condition for stowage while not in use on the boat.

Abstract: A ship steering system includes a pump assembly for controlling hydraulicy actuated rudders, a first actuation unit for translating a helm steering command signal into a mechanical control signal for the pump assembly, and a second actuation unit for translating a combined helm steering command signal and ship roll reduction command signal into a mechanical control signal for the pump assembly. The second actuation unit includes an electrically activated mechanical actuator that translates the electrical helm and roll reduction command signal into a mechanical impulse that controls the operation of the pump assembly. The mechanical actuator includes a switch apparatus for switching the rudder control function from the first actuation unit to the second actuation unit when the switch apparatus and second actuation unit are activated.

Abstract: Apparatus for warning of the increase in draught of a floating article, especially a small boat, in a surrounding liquid. The apparatus includes a signal emitter and a source of current which are connected, via a relay and a switch, to a release unit. The release unit includes a chamber fixedly arranged relative to the article which communicates with the surrounding liquid. The chamber holds a contact device which is adapted to close an electrical circuit when the liquid has risen to a certain level in the chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a boat of the catamaran type comprising two elongated floats interconnected by a beam system carrying a cockpit. The beam system is connected to each float by a transverse articulation oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of these floats. Structure comprising a differential is provided between the beam system and each float to maintain this beam system in a mean position relative to the floats. This differential may be of the hydraulic or mechanical type and under the control of a gyroscope. The cockpit is mounted at the middle of the beam system and is articulated about an axis oriented according to the longitudinal axis of the boat. Structure, such as a jack controlled by a gyroscope, is provided to maintain the cockpit in a horizontal position. A boat of this type, endowed with good stability, is useful particularly as a pleasure craft, passenger craft or as a service craft.

Abstract: A dual buoyancy device having two external dimensions, in the smaller of which, one end is closed by an elastic sheet undistended, and in the greater of which the sheet is distended from its normal position thereby increasing the external dimension of the device; the distention of the sheet is accomplished by a thruster member bearing on the sheet which thruster is impelled by a weight and lever system actuated by gravity, which causes the thruster to distend the sheet.

Abstract: Water-jet propulsion unit for vessels which includes a water duct having an inlet and outlet portions and an impeller disposed in the water duct. The outlet portion has a variable outlet nozzle which can discharge water downwardly when desired to produce a lift force for lifting the stern of the vessel. The arrangement provides an improved rolling stability under a stationary condition and is also effective to decrease a drag force under the "hump" condition.

Abstract: This turbine is pontoon supported on a body of water, and it consists primarily of a pair of angularly disposed and spaced-apart rotors, which when in operation, will cause a minimal amount of injury to the environment, as concerning marine life and land surface flooding. The structure of this device is such, that water flow below it has a suction effect, which draws the surface water along, thus causing the surface water to build against the rotors, so the water proceeds to flow between the rotors, which thereby increases its power generating potential.

Abstract: A semi-submersible floating apparatus for operating at sea and a method of assembling the same are disclosed. The apparatus comprises two or more submerged or bottom hulls supporting, by pillars, one or more working platforms or top hulls all of which are elongate floating bodies adapted to be individually constructed. The top hull is arranged transversely of the bottom hulls and is affixed by lateral connections adjacent the tops of the pillars. In assembling the apparatus, the bottom hulls are interconnected and fitted with the pillars and then ballasted until the bottom hulls are submerged. The top hull is floated until centered transversely of the bottom hulls and raised to a position for the lateral connection thereof. Alternately, the top hull is connected to the pillars and the bottom hulls are deballasted to raise the top hull above the level of the sea.

Abstract: A stabilizing device for a ship comprising two rotors housed one within the ther for rotation in opposite directions and positioned on each side of the ship. The rotors are axially movable relative one to the other to permit the outer rotors to be alternately put into and out of action. Guide elements disposed downstream of the rotors and covering parts may be provided to reduce resistance to water flow.

Abstract: A plurality of diesel motor AC generator units, or power producing units, connected in parallel to provide a AC power pool that is rectified and voltage controlled by a plurality of silicon control rectifiers, or power control units, for activating any of a plurality of DC shunt wound motors, or power using units, singly and in combination to drive any plurality of propellers and auxilliary equipment in minimum numbers at maximum loads and effect a fuel economy of at least 18% over reduction-gear driven vessels.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of compressed gas for bubbling from a ship's hulls in ice-laden water in order to reduce the drag on the ship's movement produced by the ice, and also to help break up the ice. The compressed gas is generated by apparatus having an air compressor, a device for mixing fuel with the compressed air, a device for igniting the fuel/air mixture so that hot gas is generated under pressure, and at least one pipe which is provided for receiving the hot compressed gas and for supplying the gas to holes located in the hull of the ship below the waterline. The pressure of the gas is greater than the water pressure at the holes so that bubbling of the gas from the holes takes place.

Abstract: A sailing jacket for use by a sailor in competition sailing includes a plurality of identical vest sections. Each vest section has an inner panel and an outer panel joined together along their margins to form an interior compartment. A mass of water absorbent material is disposed within the compartment such that when the jacket is wetted a predetermined increase in weight becomes available to the sailor for use as trim ballast for improving the operating efficiency of his sailboat.