Abstract: A ballast and de-ballast system and method for an articulated tug barge (ATB) or integrated tug barge (ITB) are described herein. The system includes a tug ballast tank located on the tug, the tug ballast tank being configured to hold ballast water; and a barge trim tank located on the barge, the barge trim tank being configured to hold ballast water. The system further includes at least one umbilical line connecting the tug ballast tank to the barge trim tank. The system is configured to transfer ballast water between the tug ballast tank and the barge trim tank via the at least one umbilical line.

Abstract: This ship includes a ship body, a fuel tank chamber, a stern-side engine room, a bow-side engine room, a main fuel line and a sub-fuel line, and a pump mechanism. The main fuel line connects a fuel tank, a stern-side power generation unit, and a bow-side power generation unit through the bow-side engine room. The sub-fuel line connects at least the fuel tank and the stern-side power generation unit, and is disposed through a section different from the bow-side engine room through which the main fuel line passes. The pump mechanism selectively feeds fuel into the main fuel line or the sub-fuel line from the fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for practicing towed boardsports while avoiding falls and saving time in learning, teaching, and progressing. The device consists of a rigid structure (2, 9) connected to a towing vehicle and provided with a means (3, 4) for suspending a user (5) such that the latter no longer falls. The means for suspending a user includes a rope attached to the top of the structure, at the end of which a harness for suspending the user (5) is attached. The user (5) is suspended under the device. Thus suspended, the user (5) no longer falls. The device of the invention is particularly suitable for boardsports towed by motor boats.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is provided that is capable of achieving high speeds. The craft can operate on a surface of a body of water or beneath the surface of the body of water. The personal watercraft includes a hull, a streamlined water tunnel disposed within the hull, a plurality of fins extending from the hull, a propeller disposed within the water tunnel, a motor disposed within the hull and outside of the water tunnel, a water intake at the front of the water tunnel and at the front and bottom of the hull, first and second water exhausts at the rear of the water tunnel and at the rear and bottom of the hull, and first and second handgrips located at the rear of the hull. The propeller can pull water into the water tunnel via the water intake, and the amount of water entering the watercraft at any given time is substantially the same as the amount of water exiting the watercraft via the water tunnel and the water exhausts.

Abstract: A flying vehicle assembly apparatus comprises a winged flying craft and a powered craft for propelling the flying craft and a tether assembly comprising one or more first rigid struts having a first end pivotally secured to first biased pivot connections adjacent to the flying craft and a second end pivotally secured to second biased pivot connections, and one or more second rigid struts having a first end pivotally secured adjacent to the powered craft and a second end pivotally secured to a second biased pivot connection. The first and second biased pivot connections urge the flying craft and the powered craft toward one another, and whereby during flying operation, the powered craft is generally forward of the flying craft.

Abstract: A marine vessel is propelled under maneuvering control in a selected direction and travel speed through a body of seawater, by propulsion exclusively provided for by one or more submerged towing module pods attached to the underside of the vessel hull at locations between its bow and stern. Each of such towing pods may be attached to the vessel and spaced therebelow by an elongated cable so constructed for enclosure within a drag reducing fairing. Each of such cables has internal portions thereof arranged to electrically conduct current between the marine vessel and the towing pod for controllable operation of its propulsive equipment, while transferring the mechanical towing force so produced to the vessel.

Abstract: A ship convoy is provided that is towed by an ocean tug, and includes a series of specially made ocean going, modular, self propelling cargo ships, for transoceanic voyages. The tug also controls the cargo ships remotely. Each cargo ship is a medium tonnage, independently powered, independently controllable, freight carrying vessel with an oceanworthy hull. The hulls preferably have a standardized external design, which makes them modular. Inside, each has cargo space for either generic cargo, or for special cargo, such as refrigerated cargo or containers. Their engines need be no more powerful than is required for river navigation, but with a tank that holds enough fuel for a transoceanic voyage. The special cargo ships go up a river preferably using autonomous navigation. Upon reaching a port, the cargo ship is loaded, and then exits the river. Then it is combined with the tug and the other cargo ships for the transoceanic voyage.

Abstract: A thrust unit having an engine as an external source of motive power for a marine vessel in distress, is delivered by helicopter air drop to a remote seawater location together with other components of the associated towing system, delivered onto the deck of such marine vessel for operational assembly and connection to the thrust unit in order to initiate emergency towing of the marine vessel while immersed in the seawater adjacent thereto under control of personnel on the marine vessel.

Abstract: The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard is enhanced by a towing apparatus which includes vertical supports rigidly attached starboard and port side gunwales of the vessel at a location generally outboard an operator station. A frame including rigid U-shaped bridging supports transversely extends across the beam of the vessel. The frame is pivotally fitted to a forward portion of the vertical supports for rotation from an operating position to a stored position on the deck of the vessel. The U-shaped bridging supports extend substantially above the level of the operator station. One of the U-shaped bridging supports is readily removably attached to the vertical support. A ball assembly is carried by detachable ends of the frame, while a socket assembly is carried by the vertical support. A shaft extends through the socket and has one end threaded for engaging a threaded bore of the ball.

Abstract: The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard, and being towed by a vessel while maintaining stability of the vessel includes a first relatively rigid vertical support fitted to one side of the, a second relatively rigid vertical support fitted structure to an opposing side, and a horizontal bridging portion extending between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending supports, at a height substantially above a level of the operator station for the vessel. A tow rope is attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion for towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion while operating the vessel in a body of water. By pivotally attaching the first and second supports to the respective sides of the vessel, they can be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house.

Abstract: A motorized aquatic propulsion device of the type that will tow a swimmer across a water surface. The main housing (10) contains the battery (58), motor (60) and propeller (62). Water enters the forward water intake tube (32), is forced through the inner water intake chamber (34) by the spinning propeller (62) and is expelled through tubes connected to the left water jet spout (38) and the opposing right water jet spout (42). Two handles are gripped and twisted to control maneuverability. The pivoting speed control handle (50) regulates the velocity of water passing through the device. The pivoting direction control handle (70) is used to govern the flow of water variably channeled between two water jet spouts. As more water is directed through one of the two water jet spouts, the device will turn in the opposing direction. The flow of water is expelled down and away from either side of the swimmer.

Abstract: A water vehicle comprised of a tow unit having only an internal combustion engine and a propulsion unit for propelling the watercraft and which cannot accommodate a rider. A towed unit is towed by the tow unit and includes a control device for controlling the tow unit from the towed unit. The towed unit has a kite so that it can operate either on the water or in the air.

Abstract: Broken ice floes move laterally by the prow of an ice breaker into a position below the unbroken ice cover laterally limit the fairway channel formed and surround the stern of the ship, so that as a result of the increased water speed produced by the propeller thrust deduction the ice is drawn into the propeller, which chops it up, so that increased propeller power is necessary. In addition, the propeller can be damaged by ice floes moved back into the fairway channel. To avoid this, the horizontal propulsion of the ice breaker takes place in propeller-independent manner by jet or rocket engines or by instantaneous or constant propulsion energy-producing force closure of the hull with a mechanical apparatus located on the ocean bed, such as a chain, cable or lowered travelling piles, and a mechanical pushing off or hauling in apparatus being provided on the hull side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for moving a large mass of ice by anchoring a two line thereto. The tow line is connected to a marine vessel which tows the ice mass to a remote location distant from threatened equipment and personnel.

Abstract: The aerial performance characteristics of a performer using a water sport implement such as a wakeboard, and being towed by a vessel while maintaining stability of the vessel includes a first relatively rigid vertical support fitted to one side of the, a second relatively rigid vertical support fitted structure to an opposing side, and a horizontal bridging portion extending between upper extremities of the first and second vertically extending supports, at a height substantially above a level of the operator station for the vessel. A tow rope is attached to the horizontally extending bridging portion for towing the performer from the horizontally extending bridging portion while operating the vessel in a body of water. By pivotally attaching the first and second supports to the respective sides of the vessel, they can be rotated downwardly so that the vessel may pass underneath a bridge or into a boat house.