Abstract: The technical disclosure herein describes an autonomous water-borne vehicle having a segmented non-planing hull with free flood fore and aft sections and a sealed center section. The disclosure also described such a vehicle having a fixed longitudinal thruster and a fixed lateral thruster for changing the heading of the vehicle. The disclosure also described such a vehicle having an autonomous mission system, an autonomous navigation system, and a web-based command and control system. The disclosure also describes such a vehicle having a submersible winch. The disclosure also describes such a vehicle wherein the sealed center section is of substantially rectangular cross section. The disclosure also describes such a vehicle having a wheeled battery tray.

Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

Abstract: Method and a device (1) at a motor driven line winch (2) for sailing boats comprising a rotatably mounted line drum (3) around which a line (4) for sail and halyard is windable. According to the invention, more than one electrical motor is arranged in order to in different manners in different engagement patterns be possible to be coupled together in order to thereby actuate the winch (2) by different desired power and be able to optimize the total efficiency of the device.

Abstract: An offshore oil well drilling assembly is provided that includes an offshore platform; and a tension lift frame, which supports a coiled tubing injector and a blow out preventer connected thereto and for further connection to a wellhead, wherein the tension lift frame is a free standing assembly that is supported by the platform.

Abstract: A lift assembly is provided for a platform such as used on a ship. The platform can have four spaced apart hitch points. In one embodiment, the lift assembly includes four trolley drive assemblies, each trolley drive assembly including a trolley guidable along a guide rail, and a drive configured to displace the trolley along the guide rails, each trolley being coupled to at least one hitch point. In a second embodiment, a tension leveling assembly is provided in a trolley drive assembly and is configured to couple each of the wire ropes to the trolley and maintain substantially the same amount of tension in each wire rope. In a third embodiment, the lift assembly can be provided on a ship that also includes a vessel for holding water.

Abstract: Method for installing (or replacing) a unit on the tower of an offshore wind turbine, which unit comprises a rotor including a hub and one or two rotor blades, and a nacelle receiving a gearbox and a generator. The method is characterized by pre-assembling the substantially functional unit ashore or on a platform, placing the functional unit on a watercraft in such a manner that the center of gravitation of the unit lies in the region of the longitudinal axis of the watercraft and the rotor blades extend in the longitudinal direction of the watercraft, transporting the functional unit to the site of the offshore wind turbine, lifting the functional unit from the watercraft using a crane aboard the watercraft, placing the functional unit on the tower of the offshore wind turbine, and fastening the functional unit on the tower of the offshore wind turbine.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system comprising a vessel floating in a body of water, a line comprising a first portion connected to the vessel and a second portion in the body of water, a tool connected to the second portion of the line, the tool in the body of water below the vessel, a stationary apparatus connected to the second portion of the line, the stationary apparatus in the body of water below the vessel, and a mechanism on the vessel connected to the first portion of the line, the mechanism adapted to keep the line taut as the vessel heaves up and down.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transporting and transferring containers. Said device is embodied as a floating and automotive object which is equipped with at least one crane. The crane comprises at least one vertical element, a slewing ring, and a boom. The crane is arranged in the area of a transversal axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the object. Furthermore, the crane is disposed laterally offset relative to the longitudinal axis while a deck house encompassing a pilot house is placed laterally next to the crane.

Abstract: There is provided a ship, in particular a cargo ship. It has a plurality of Magnus rotors, wherein associated with each of the plurality of Magnus rotors is an individually actuable electric motor (M) for rotating the Magnus rotor, wherein associated with each electric motor (M) is a converter (U) for controlling the rotary speed and/or the rotary direction of the electric motor (M).

Abstract: A vessel (2) for handling subsea equipment comprising a subsea equipment hoist system including a winch and a hoist cable (3) for lowering and retrieving subsea equipment (5) in a hoist area of the vessel, a subsea equipment motion restraining and guidance system for restraining subsea equipment motion relative to the vessel in the hoist area. The subsea equipment motion restraining and guidance system includes a main trolley (7), an auxiliary trolley (8) and a vertical trolley guide structure (9) mounted on the hull of the vessel that allows for vertical travel of the trolleys and further a top end engagement member (10), which is movably supported by said main trolley and which is adapted to engage on a top end of the subsea equipment, and one or more rail engaging members (3a) mounted on said auxiliary trolley, each adapted to engage on a vertical rail (11) mounted on said subsea equipment as said subsea equipment passes vertically by said auxiliary trolley.

Abstract: A wind turbine (1) has a base (5) divided into at least three ballast tanks (12). A vessel (7) has means for displacing the wind turbine between a loading space (25) and an unloading position (26). At its unloading position the vessel has winches (11) with at least three flexible lines (10) that can be connected with horizontally distanced lifting points (23) on the wind turbine base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel (1) provided with a deck (2) and with a device (3) for removing and/or installing a sub-structure (4) of a drilling or production platform, wherein said device comprises a supporting structure (5) which is capable of tilting movement in a direction transversely to an edge (6) of the deck (2), hoisting means (7) connected to said supporting structure for hoisting said sub-structure, and supporting means for supporting said sub-structure mainly during tilting movement of said supporting structure, wherein said supporting means are provided separately from the supporting structure and capable of tilting movement with respect to the edge of the deck.

Abstract: Embodied herein is a monohull vessel with a moonpool capable of being used offshore. The monohull vessel includes a moonpool and a deck level. A movable hatch is connected to topside of the moonpool and is countersunk beneath the deck level. A multipurpose tower is mounted on the monohull vessel. The monohull vessel includes an equipment handling system removably mounted on the vessel and a hoist system located inside the monohull vessel.

Abstract: An unmanned sea vehicle is provided with a canister storing therein a net assembly in a deflated condition attached to the sea vehicle through the canister by a lanyard in a folded condition. The net assembly is connected to an inflation gas generator through which it is inflated to initiate retrieval of the unmanned sea vehicle. Inflation of the net assembly effects ejection thereof from the canister afloat onto a body of seawater, while connected to the canister on the sea vehicle by the unfolded lanyard. The floating net assembly is thereby positioned for engagement by a grappling hook lowered from a helicopter for example so as to lift it with the sea vehicle suspended therefrom by the lanyard from the sea water surface and transferred to the deck of a retrieval sea vessel.

Abstract: A barge for replacing foam blocks that support floating docks. The barge is provided with a float sinker that removably attaches to the barge via a boom. The float sinker can be moved from side to side via the boom and can be rotated. The float sinker has clamp arms with movable flat plates for releasably grasping foam blocks. The float sinker has hollow chambers that can be flooded as a means of pulling the blocks downward in the water and has means for expelling the water from the chambers to allow the blocks to rise to the surface of the water. Controls are provided on the deck of the barge for operating the barge and for remotely operating the float sinker from the barge.

Abstract: A vessel with moonpool capable of being used offshore comprising a monohull with moonpool; a multipurpose tower mounted on the vessel; an equipment handling system removably mounted on the vessel; a movable hatch installed on top of the moonpool; and a hoist system installed inside the vessel, as well as an improved multipurpose tower, a moveable hatch and modular features for the tower. The invention is also a moveable hatch and a multipurpose tower.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing sea state induced vertical motion of a shipboard crane's load. Sea state induced vertical velocity of the crane's suspended load is determined as a function of: i) the horizontal radial distance the load extends from the crane's axis of rotation, and ii) motion of the ship at the crane's axis of rotation. The load is then moved vertically at a speed that is defined as being equal to the vertical velocity in a direction that is opposite that of the vertical velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing subsea components includes the use of a motion compensator to counterbalance and offset load on the component and lowering wire caused by movement of the vessel as a result of waves and wind.

Abstract: Method for carrying out operations under water by means of a crane (3) equipped with a tool which is erected on a pontoon (1) which has been fixed and which can be jacked up, wherein an underwater working room (4) which is mainly open at the bottom is let down on the place of work, in that the water is pushed out of this working room (4) by means of compressed air, in that the place of work is divided in compartments in the working room (4) itself, i.e. out of the water, and in that one or several positions of the compartment division in which the crane (3) will have to carry out an operation are transmitted to the crane (3), after which the underwater working room (4) is lifted and the crane carries (3) out the operation.

Abstract: A deep water lowering apparatus that utilizes dual davit structures mounted on a barge. Each davit structure has a pulling wire rope line spooled on a storage winch. Each pulling line is reeved onto a traction winch and through upper and lower sheaves on the davit structure. Corresponding ends of each pulling line are connected together on an equalizer beam. An adaptor box is suspended from a spreader bar provided with a dog leg center portion for effecting the load transfer from the crane. The lowering tool that supports the load is directly received in the adaptor box and transfers the load to the lowering apparatus without the need for rigging work.

Abstract: A sailboat davit connectable into the ground adjacent a seawall, water's edge or other like supportive objects for lifting and lowering a small sailboat. The device includes an elongated upright support member having a radially outwardly extending boom connected at one end to the upper end of the upright support member. A generally horizontal spreader beam is connected at a mid-point thereof to the distal end of the boom so that the spreader beam extends in either direction preferably from a plane generally defined by the upright support member and the boom. A flexible cable and pulley arrangement, winch-activated, is provided having a flexible cable downwardly extending over a pulley at each end of the spreader beam, each end of each cable being connectable to the sailboat hull whereupon the sailboat is lifted and lowered in response to winch activation.

Abstract: A winch construction for a boat lift. The winch includes a pair of spaced side plates, and a shaft is journaled in aligned openings in the side plates. The ends of the shaft project beyond the side plates and a drum is located between the side plates and is journaled on the shaft. A chain drive connects one projecting end of the shaft to a second shaft which is journaled in the side plates, and a second speed reduction chain drive connects the second shaft with the drum which carries a cable which is attached to the boat lift. A hand wheel is connected to a hub that is threaded on the opposite projecting end of the shaft, and an annular ratchet is located between the hub and a backing plate attached to the respective side plate. The ratchet is composed of a brake material and has a brake surface facing the backing plate. To elevate the boat lift, the hand wheel is rotated causing the hub to move axially on the shaft and effecting engagement of the brake surface with the backing plate.

Abstract: A crane vessel (20) has a temporary load support structure (23) on which to support a load (22) in transit. For installation, the load is hooked up to the vessel crane (21) and the temporary support structure is removed to enable the vessel to set down the load on its tower structure (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to a submarine braking system of a capsule (4) at the end of fast movement. The capsule glides by gravity along a cable (3) and finally hits in succession several disks (6 to 9) which start to glide and finally hit a hydraulic shock-absorbing system (10). The device procures an efficient but calibrated braking of the of the capsule. The invention has application to the submarine research field.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out operations under water having a twin hull autonomous submarine which in the space between two pressure hulls is provided with a cargo hold having an apparatus for receiving and carrying cargo units. The compartment between the pressure hulls is outwardly limited by inward hatches in the submarine's hydrodynamic outer hull (form hull). In the hold longitudinal running levels on both of the pressure hulls for at least one traverse crane and at least one cargo carrying wagon, as well as, preferably, a belly manipulator. The apparatus is used to carry out various operations in an underwater production system.

Abstract: A variable depth towed sonar line handling system is arranged to provide a level wind of the sonar cable onto a cable winding drum without significant lateral deflection of the cable. The system includes a boom with sheaves at the inboard and outboard ends and an inboard winch with a cable winding drum. The winch is mounted for axial movement past the boom and is translated axially in synchronism with its rotation so that the fleet angle of the cable remains constant. In preferred embodiments, the winch is located beside the boom and translates fore and aft. This allows the cable to be taken off along the pivot axis of the boom, eliminating cable excursion through the sheaves in boom bobbing. Other features include a fairleading saddle and a combined passive and active shock absorbing system.

Abstract: A compact towing system which is adapted to be mounted on a ship for towing an underwater towed body using faired tow cable is provided herein. It includes an improvement in the combination of the following inter-related elements: (a) a trucked gantry; (b) a lower saddle; (c) a winch drum; (d) a boom; (e) a pivotable deflection sheave mounted inside the boom; and (f) a fairlead sheave and saddle assembly. Such assembly is mounted on a driven carriage. The improvement comprises structure and controls for driving the trucked gantry in synchronism with the winch drum. The driving of the trucked gantry (a) fore and aft is so related to the winding and unwinding of cable from the winch drum (b) that, as the trucked gantry traverses between a forward stow position and an aft full cable-out position, a zero degree fleet angle is obtained and maintained between the tow cable and the winch drum.

Abstract: This system is for offshore operations and includes a boat having a towing and an anchor handling winch are respectively disposed on the boat deck so as to rotate about horizontal axis. In connection with an offshore rig using chain or cable attached to the anchor, the anchor winch on the boat is used to spool the pendant cable which is attached to the anchor end of the chain until the underwater buoy is brought on the boat deck. The towing cable on the other towing winch is then attached to the buoy cable to suspend the chain and anchor in the water while the pendant cable is disconnected from the buoy cable. The disconnected end of the pendant cable is then connected to a vertical spool on the boat deck and spooled onto the vertical spool from the horizontal anchor handling winch while the chain or cable is being retrieved by an apparatus on the rig.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by cutting and breaking up a hull of large ship in the floating situation on the sea so as to shorten the length of the hull, transporting the broken up objects to a product making workshop, and subdividing said objects further thereby breaking up into products. Said product making workshop is constructed so as to supply power etc. required for the breaking up process.A breaking up method according to the present invention does not require harbor facilities such as crane etc. so that it does not have any limitation with respect to the breaking up place and since it allows the product making operation from the broken up objects to be performed on the sea, the breaking-up process can be simplified.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting and dismounting a submerged propeller unit to and from the hull of a floating body from the outside thereof comprises a flange in the hull surrounding an opening therein and having passages therein, a flange on the propeller unit having fastening means corresponding to the passages in the hull flange, a drive coupling member on the propeller unit adapted to extend through the hull opening when the propeller unit flange is secured to the hull flange, guides on the propeller unit for guiding the coupling member into the hull opening and for positioning the propeller unit flange with its fastening threaded bores in registry with the passages in the hull flange as the propeller unit is raised to assembled position with its flange against the hull fange, a removable watertight chamber formed in the hull and communicating with the opening therein, cables extending through watertight ways in the hull and adapted to be secured detachably to the propeller unit to raise the same to bring the prop

Abstract: A lumber work boat provided with an operating arm assembly at a bow portion of the boat for gathering up or moving lumber floating on the water. The boat has a recess to be opened frontwardly of the bow so that the operating arm assembly may be received within the recess, the assembly being driven by a drive mechanism disposed within the hull of the boat to transmit operating force to the operating arm assembly. The arrangement permits the entire work device to be positioned at a level lower than the upper deck, thereby providing a small type hull and enhancing mobility, while the operating arm assembly is protected since it is received in the recess when not in use, and the drive mechanism is not exposed to sea water or open air since it is encased within the hull.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting recreational vehicles (RVs), camper bodies and trailers from land-based units to water-based units. Following conversion, the RV or camper becomes the "cabin" of a houseboat having an undercarriage which includes a pair of catamaran floatation pontoons supporting a flat deck. The undercarriage is fully supported during the loading of the RV or camper and is positioned level with the loading dock regardless of the water level in the launching body of water. The RV or camper is adjustably positioned on the undercarriage to produce a positive angle of attack in which the stern draws a deeper draft than the bow, and is then secured to the undercarriage to prevent relative movement between the RV or camper and the undercarriage.