Abstract: A passenger vessel 10 configured to moor along an improved or unimproved shoreline to load or unload the vessel via the bow includes a hull 20 having a movable, openable bow member 24 configured to be moved between a closed state and an open state which exposes the hull's interior volume and an extendable and steerable ramp assembly 14 including an elongated extendable ramp member 78 configured to be stowed in the hull's interior when the bow member is in the closed state. The ramp member is extendable by being conveyed forwardly through the bow opening to define a distally projecting ramp extension supported and steerable (vertically and laterally) from a pivot or swing mount frame 84 affixed within the hull 20.

Abstract: A passenger vessel 10 configured to moor along an improved or unimproved shoreline to load or unload the vessel via the bow includes a hull 20 having a movable, openable bow member 24 configured to be moved between a closed state and an open state which exposes the hull's interior volume and an extendable and steerable ramp assembly 14 including an elongated extendable ramp member 78 configured to be stowed in the hull's interior when the bow member is in the closed state. The ramp member is extendable by being conveyed forwardly through the bow opening to define a distally projecting ramp extension supported and steerable (vertically and laterally) from a pivot or swing mount frame 84 affixed within the hull 20.