Abstract: A pile repair apparatus includes a metal clamp having left and right brackets connected by a hinge member. A friction surface is positioned along an inner surface of the metal clamp to improve the connection of the apparatus to a pile to be repaired. A platform is connected to a top surface of the metal clamp, and a means for providing neutral buoyancy to the pile repair apparatus can be secured to the platform. The neutral buoyancy of the apparatus allows a diver to move and to submerse the apparatus easily and to position the apparatus around a pile to be repaired by opening and closing the apparatus about the hinge member. The apparatus is secured to the pile by inserting a bolt through corresponding apertures in the left and right brackets of the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for maintenance of a ship propeller including the steps of: placing a flexible habitat having an open upper end over an uppermost blade and a portion of the propeller hub, and establishing a gas seal between the upper end of the habitat and the blade to close the habitat at its upper end. After fixing the lower end of the habitat relatively to the propeller, compressed gas is preferably introduced into the habitat to displace the water in the habitat. The apparatus for maintenance of a ship propeller under water comprises a flexible habitat with an open upper end. The habitat has a gas seal adapted to cooperate with a propeller blade surface to establish a gas seal to close the habitat at its upper end and fixing means adapted to fix the open lower end of the habitat relatively to the propeller. A means for introducing compressed gas into the habitat is provided.

Abstract: A truncated elongated oval-shaped dry setting element having two truncated elongated oval-shaped ends one of which is open and the other submergible end is closed by a floor accommodating a U-shaped receiving collar, the opening between the ends of said truncated elongated oval-shaped dry setting element and the width of the U-shaped receiving collar being sufficient to accommodate a partially submerged isolated structure such that said U-shaped receiving collar is sealable under water against said isolated structure with a collar sealing element closing the U of said collar in the plane of the collar with said isolated structure in place, and the opening between the ends of the first truncated elongated oval-shaped dry setting element being closable with a closure, wherein said dry setting element comprises a U-shaped structure replicating the opening formed by said U-shaped receiving collar at a sufficient distance from said U-shaped receiving collar so as to receive said isolated structure without substant

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical or sleeve-like or tubular housing 2 having an opening at one end which is locatable to be in sealing engagement with the outer surface of part of the hull 3 of a submarine with said housing 2 forming a water evacuable space around the propulsor unit 1 of the submarine, and access passages or ducts 4,5 for work personnel in communication with said space and extending upwardly from said housing 2 such as to, in use, to be above the surface of the water in which the submarine is floating.

Abstract: A housing for an underwater processing device, for example, welding, includes a welding head movable laterally relative to the housing and the direction of the weld. At opposite ends, gates are provided having arcuate convex surfaces forming edge seals for engaging in the groove of the work surface. In one form, the gates are linearly slidable and biased in a direction away from the housing. In another form, the gates are pivotally mounted for engaging in the grooves. In both cases, the compliant seal about the margin of the housing, together with the arcuate seal of the gates, maintains a substantially water-free area within the housing to enable processing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a means and a method for inspecting and repairing a propeller on a propeller shaft on a ship. The ship is in the water. A truss is positioned on the propeller shaft. A habitat bag is positioned over the upper part of the propeller and is attached to the truss. Then, the truss is inflated with air. An inspector and/or a repair person can enter into the habitat and work in a dry environment while the ship is in the water. There is no need, in many instances, to place the ship in a dry dock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sealing a caisson comprising a bottom, two upright side walls and a back wall, and intended for carrying out works to a sheet pile wall below the water line, characterized in that it comprises the combination of an inflatable continuous air chamber (8); a series of deformable sealing elements (9); a core (10) which can be displaced between each of said sealing elements (9) and the air chamber (8) and guiding plates (11) and means for allowing the lateral displacement of said sealing elements with respect to the caisson.

Abstract: A work enclosure for servicing a marine structure which is adapted to be positioned around a support member of the marine structure to enclose the member and at least one riser which extends parallel thereto. The enclosure is watertight and open at the top to the atmosphere whereby the water is pumped from the enclosure when the enclosure is in an operable position on the member to provide a dry, shirt-sleeve environment in which to carry out the service operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a watertight floodable barge repair box of generally L-shape, viewed from its end, having a leg and a foot. The leg has an open front and the foot has an open top so that the box may be placed against the side of the barge and the foot beneath its bottom. A flexible waterproof membrane strip has one edge secured to a flat bar anchoring plate welded to the repair box adjacent its leg and foot openings upset at an angle thereto. A backing of flat rubber conveyor belt is bolted between the waterproof membrane and flat anchoring plate. The waterproof membrane is of a width to overlap the connection between the barge hull and barge repair box when the repair box is in place against the barge in a flooded down condition in a body of water. Cable harness or other suitable lines or chains are used to maintain the barge in place against the repair box.

Abstract: This invention concerns equipment designed for carrying out work under dry conditions on an underwater structure in particular on a sheet pile planking wall with grooves at more or less regular intervals comprising a caisson brought through two vertical walls and a floor in contact with a sheet pile planking wall and means to keep the caisson pressed against the sheet pile planking wall comprising the floor of the caisson being fitted with horizontally adjustable sealing sheets that slide in the grooves of the sheet pile planking wall.

Abstract: An autonomous and semi-submerged station for cleaning the hulls of pleasure craft, comprising a floating ballasted pontoon or a wharf and principally a mobile cabin, ballasted, in unbreakable transparent material, with an open roof, having on its forward wall (40) two openings provided with sealed rotary bearings (1) by which enter and exit, while sweeping, tubes (2) for water under pressure fed with fresh or salt water through an autonomous pump. The work is performed under visual surveillance. Secured to the cabin, a mechanism of pulley and externally grooved wheels, controlled from the interior of the cabin permits the longitudinal displacement on the tubes secured to the floating pontoon or to the wharf. The externally grooved wheels enclose the tubes that mate the cabin to the floating pontoon or to the wharf.

Abstract: A method of providing a habitable dry work chamber for conducting work on an underwater work surface when the nature of the work is such that dangerous fumes and gases are produced. An underwater gas pocket work unit is attached to the underwater work surface to define a work chamber that may be entered from beneath through the water. The work unit includes a structure consisting of walls defining a work opening, which, when positioned with the work opening at the work surface, defines a work chamber that is accessible only from beneath. The structure is sealed at the work opening to the work surface to define the work chamber, wherein the work chamber is defined solely by the structure and the work surface. A habitable gas that is heavier than the dangerous fumes and gases is caused to flow continuously into the work chamber through a valve in the structure to provide a gaseous pocket in the upper portion of the work chamber when the structure is sealed to the underwater work surface.

Abstract: A portable, floatable barge repair device is disclosed having a water tight box having front, back and side walls and a bottom, and a top opening. A superstructure extends generally upwardly from the back wall of the box, the superstructure having an upper back wall generally adjacent to the back wall of the box, the superstructure also having an upper open top and a side opening opposite the upper back wall. The periphery of the top opening and the side opening form a seal surface for engaging a portion of a barge to be repaired, and gasket means are disposed on the seal surface for providing a water tight seal between the barge and the box. Ballast means are disposed on the front wall of the box opposite the back wall, and ballast tanks surround the box for receiving water therein. Means for securing the repair device to a barge are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating working on especially horizontal underwater portions of ship hulls, pontoons and other floating objects. The novel feature resides in that the apparatus comprises a screen structure adapted to be tightly fitted along the edges of the surface on which operations are to be carried out, and projecting downwardly from the surface, the screen structure being sealed against the surface and laterally, but perforated or open downwardly, and a pipe for introducing air with a pressure adapted to the water pressure prevailing at the actual depth, into the space within the screen structure in order to provide an air volume serving as a work-space, under the surface.

Abstract: A cofferdam for closing off underwater openings in ships' hulls and the like includes a box-like structure having a flat wall of a size and configuration for covering a ship's openings, with peripheral walls for extending around the flat wall and around the opening for sealingly engaging the ship's hull and defining a chamber around the opening. Conduits are provided for communication with a pump for pumping fluid or water from the chamber of the cofferdam and for venting the dam either to atmosphere or the water for filling the cavity. Fastenings include J-bolts in one configuration for securing the cofferdam to grill work and the like inside a opening to a sea chest, and a hogging type rigging in another embodiment for securing where grill work and the like is not available. The cofferdam is constructed of wood for providing buoyancy in water and includes reinforcing bars extending across the face of the dam which are in the form of closed box beams for providing additional buoyancy.