Abstract: A flotation device for maintaining a watercraft in a floating condition is provided. The flotation device comprises an elongated housing mounted to the watercraft. A carrier is slidably received within the housing with the carrier having a first and second cover channel and a bladder retaining slot. A first collapsible tubing is receivable within the first cover channel. An elongated cover is releasably secured within the first cover channel and the second cover channel. A space is defined between the carrier and the cover. A flotation bladder is receivable within the space with the flotation bladder having a bladder edge receivable in the bladder retaining slot.

Abstract: An improvement in a snowmobile comprising an inflatable bladder in an initial folded and un-inflated conditioned, operably connected to the frame of the snowmobile by at least one flexible strap and operably connected to an inflation medium controlled by a deployment system. In response to detection of water submersion, the deployment system activates the inflation medium rapidly inflating the bladder, which releases from its folded, un-inflated condition and floats at the surface of the water with the snowmobile suspended and submerged below the inflated bladder, still connected to the bladder by the at least one flexible strap. When submerged the float acts as a recovery device for retrieving the snowmobile and a rescue device for the rider to climb up on. The submerged snowmobile further stabilizes the bladder by acting as a sea anchor.

Abstract: Canoe and kayak mid-point sponsons attach to the canoe or kayak only at the mid-point of the sponsons, to enable the sponsons to rotate around the midpoint in order to reduce drag in waves and simplify attachment and detachment to the canoe or kayak, while also permitting much greater sponson buoyancy volume than any other type of sponson, without interfering with normal paddling to safety. They are attached to any canoe or kayak by material such as only one adjustable strap and two clips, extending to kayak deck fittings adjacent the cockpit or a canoe middle thwart, in such a manner as to facilitate normal paddling of the stabilized craft in life threatening emergencies. They can be directly attached to both sides of the hull near the waterline. The mid-point sponsons can be solid buoyant material, waterproof and airtight stowage bags containing bulky lightweight items such as sleeping bags, orally inflatable sponson floats, and gas cartridge inflatable sponson floats.

Abstract: A watercraft, e.g. a passenger vessel, a ferry, a hazardous-substance freighter or the like, with a deck and with a buoyancy chamber in the deck, it being the case that, in a first operating state, the buoyancy chamber contains air, is characterized in that, in a second operating state, the buoyancy chamber is filled with a foam which has a high cell volume with closed cells and a dimensionally stable state of aggregation.

Abstract: The invention provides a flotation device for a snowmobile including a plurality of preferably self-contained air bag modules having inflatable bladders affixed to the exterior of a snowmobile and adapted to inflate when a water detection device such as a float sensor is exposed to water. The inflated bladders supply sufficient buoyancy to maintain the snowmobile afloat and stable, and in the preferred embodiment are configured to provide an escape means for the occupants of the snowmobile who can use the bladder as a buoyant platform to escape to solid ice.

Abstract: A water craft includes a rigid tubular hull structure corresponding to the structure of inflatable tubulars of known rubber dinghies. Preferably, the hull is made of polyester reinforced with glass fiber, plastic or metal. The external shape of the tubular hulls is cylindrical or other similar shape, and in the internal part, the tubular hulls are provided with a structure that considerably increases the internal space of the hulls, while maintaining the typical shape of rubber dinghies. Lateral seat backs may be provided on hinges on the upper external edge of the craft, and built-in seats are provided on the upper, external surface of the craft.

Abstract: A lightweight boat construction in which the main body is formed of top and bottom sheets of lightweight floatable plastic material. The sheets are configured externally to provide the desired external boat configuration when the sheets are superimposed and bonded. One of the bottom and top sheets is formed with a frame-receiving channel in the surface thereof contiguous the other sheet, and a PVC pipe frame is mounted in the channel for stabilizing and reinforcing the boat construction. The sheets with the embedded PVC frame are then bonded together to form the reinforced boat. Openings or recesses can be formed in the top sheets or both sheets to provide footwells, storage and battery compartments, and the like.

Abstract: An inflatable mechanism for attachment to the top of a sailboat mast to counteract turtling (complete rotation of the boat into an inverted position where the mast is pointed straight down into the water) during a capsize. The device functions by producing a torque consisting of the water displacement force and the mast as a lever arm. When the boat tips over on its side during a capsize this torque balances the boat's natural tendency to continue to roll over into an inverted position.

Abstract: A protection device for a boat having a rigid hull with a waterline, gunwale and a cockpit is provided. The device consists of a first inflatable bumper mounted to the rigid hull about the gunwale, which will absorb impacts to the hull when the boat is pulled next to a dock or the like. A second inflatable bumper is mounted to the rigid hull at the waterline to keep the rigid hull afloat if it becomes cracked. A mechanism is in the cockpit, for selectively inflating the first inflatable bumper and the second inflatable bumper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flotation system designed to be incorporated into an existing snowmobile and including a plurality of floats which may be inflated either selectively or automatically. The device is intended to be incorporated into a snowmobile which is used on ice covered bodies of water. Sometimes, during such use, the ice breaks causing the snowmobile to sink and thereby be destroyed. Through the use of the present invention, flotation is provided to maintain the snowmobile in a floating position to allow safe retrieval.

Abstract: A water pollution containment device comprises a number of uniform assemblies joined to adjacent uniform assemblies around the periphery of a liquid cargo carrying vessel such as an oil tanker. The uniform assemblies each include a skirt which is joined to the skirts of the adjacent uniform assemblies, a skirt launching device, a skirt retrieving device and a housing structure for the foregoing. The uniform assemblies may be operated to contain spills around a leaking vessel, to contain spills around a sunken vessel and may be quickly and easily inspected and maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self deployed, self retracting flotation device for a land hicle, the device including covers hinged to the sides of the vehicle. Inflatable air bags are attached to the covers so that inflating the bags swings up the covers and subsequently deflating the bags allows the covers to swing down. The device is constructed so that the bags protrude from between the cover and the vehicle when inflated and retract to a position between the cover and the vehicle when deflated. A reversible pump operable from within the vehicle is used to inflate or deflate the bags.

Abstract: Several embodiments of hull configurations for small watercraft wherein the gunnels at the side of the watercraft are raised and provided with sealed storage areas that increase the buoyancy of the hull and which can be flooded for assisting in re-entry.

Abstract: A buoyant support for a watercraft comprises a rigid, elongated support surface, and an inflatable member folded along its length in a substantially deflated condition to form a relatively compact, resilient mass secured to and overlaying the surface. A cover or the like retains the inflatable member in its folded, overlaying condition. In an emergency the inflatable member is inflated to provide the buoyant support. In the folded condition the device may act as a fender for the watercraft.

Abstract: A deployable flotation device including buoyancy members tightly packed in a container mechanism in which the container is either permanently mounted within a watercraft or removably deployed for periodic recertification and receives inner and outer buoyancy members for providing positive buoyancy in a watercraft over a shelf life of up to five years. In a modification a single outer container may be used. A particular composition for the buoyancy member suitable for the marine environment is disclosed. Deployment may be manual, semi-automatic, or automatic depending on the requirements of particular watercraft.

Abstract: Auxiliary flotation apparatus to provide supplemental flotation for a vessel which may be in danger of sinking. The apparatus is a self-contained cannister capable of being connected to a source of pressurized air. To assure stability of the disabled vessel, two or more of the cannisters would preferably be mounted at an outboard end to each side of the hull of the vessel at spaced locations below the water line. Should the need arise, the source of pressurized air can be manually or automatically activated for introduction into the cannister. In response to the pressurized air, a projectile is propelled in a direction away from the vessel and caused to rupture a frangible membrane located substantially flush with the hull of the vessel. The projectile proceeds far beyond the vessel and draws with it an attached inflatable tubular sheath of flexible, air impermeable sheet material.

Abstract: A boat flotation collar is set forth wherein a generally "U" shaped upwardly oriented bumper guard is positioned longitudinally of a boat and attachable thereto. Within the upstanding "U" shaped bumper guard is an inflatable bag or series of bags that upon raising of a float within the interior of a boat by rising water will open a valve secured to a compressed gas bottle. Inflatable pneumatic cells positioned within the "U" shaped bumper guard will thereby be inflated to prevent the associated boat from sinking.

Abstract: A capsized catamaran having hollow pontoons, or pontoon sections, is righted by:(i) employing and operating automatic flooding means for locally flooding the pontoons to effect rotation and sinking of ends of the pontoons, to cause the catamaran to up-end in the water, and(ii) removing water from the flooded pontoons to cause the catamaran to right itself in the water, from up-ended state.

Abstract: The device renders unsinkable a boat such as a habitable boat having a cabin and a cockpit. The device comprises three inflatable envelopes two of which are placed on starboard side and port side bunks respectively whereas the other envelope is placed on the floor of the cabin between the two bunks. A compressed gas container controlled by a valve is connected to all the envelopes for inflating the envelopes when required.

Abstract: The construction of marine vessels comprised of light-weight re-enforced concrete embodying built-in buoyant elements such as closed-cell foam cores, structural steel rods, tendons, and the like, wherein the inner and outer concrete skins are composite with ribs to increase structural strength and stability so as to provide a relatively simple vessel; e.g., ships, tankers, floating piers or breakwaters, barges, etc.

Abstract: A catamaran is provided which is equipped to permit facile re-righting thereof after capsizing. The catamaran includes floodable forecastles and buoyancy chambers, and a watertight cabin in the stern separated by bulkheads from the forecastles. Air inlets are provided for introducing compressed air into the buoyancy chambers to effect re-righting of the catamaran.

Abstract: A marine vessel whose hull consists of a single skin bottom plating comprising a plurality of large area membrane members supported by structural members about their outer periphery only and being of low areal density so as to deflect rapidly and substantially in response to the force of the shock wave of an underwater explosion without permanent deformation and whose personnel and machinery compartments are supported from hull structural members, such as bulkheads, solely by shock absorbing mounts.

Abstract: A marine craft maintained floating in a capsized condition by flotation components which permit angular displacement substantially about a rotational axis established intermediate the bow and stern. Venting of air entrapped within the craft forwardly of the rotational axis initiates angular displacement of the hull until the craft assumes a stabilized position intermediate the capsized and upright positions. Continued angular displacement of the craft toward the upright position is induced by upward pivotal displacement of a counterweight suspended by a boom pivotally connected to the craft to establish the rotational axis.

Abstract: Apparatus to automatically inflate a life raft secured to the side of a boat hull by releasing a pressurized gas from a cylinder when the boat capsizes. The gas release mechanism for the cylinder includes a spring urged valve and a spring loaded plunger arranged to open said valve upon release. The plunger is held in an extended position by a lever arm pivotal about a pin and held by an extending arm connected to weights such that when the boat is overturned the weights pivot away from the lever arm due to the force of gravity, releasing the plunger, thereby releasing gas from the cylinder to inflate the life raft.