Abstract: A jack-up platform is described having a horizontal working deck that may be jacked up out of the water by moving its legs to a position wherein they take support on an underwater bottom. The jack-up platform further includes a higher level deck and a lower level deck that define a receiving space for a barge, optionally suitable for carrying parts for construction of a wind turbine, and further a deballasting system configured to bring the floating hull between a receiving position at which the hull is ballasted to a receiving draft in which the lower level deck is submerged underwater and the barge may be received in the receiving space through an opening in the hull, and an operational smaller draft where substantially no water can flow on either of the lower and higher level decks. The receiving space has a centralizing system configured to substantially centralize the received floating barge in the receiving space.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion and energy management system for use in marine vessels and other variable demand propulsion applications monitors and draws energy from various energy sources dynamically to implement multiple operating modes and provide efficient system operation across a range of propulsive demands, altering the operation and output of various energy sources in response to propulsive load demands, hotel loads and auxiliary energy demands. The propulsion system incorporates at least two propulsive sources, including at least one main propulsive engine and at least one motor-generator unit arranged to drive a common output shaft, and the energy management system dynamically shifts operation of each of the two sources to satisfy propulsive demands. The main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit are capable of driving the common output shaft both independently and simultaneously.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion and energy management system for use in marine vessels and other variable demand propulsion applications monitors and draws energy from various energy sources dynamically to implement multiple operating modes and provide efficient system operation across a range of propulsive demands, altering the operation and output of various energy sources in response to propulsive load demands, hotel loads and auxiliary energy demands. The propulsion system incorporates at least two propulsive sources, including at least one main propulsive engine and at least one motor-generator unit arranged to drive a common output shaft, and the energy management system dynamically shifts operation of each of the two sources to satisfy propulsive demands. The main propulsive engine and the motor-generator unit are capable of driving the common output shaft both independently and simultaneously.

Abstract: A transom link for a tugboat is used to rescue an escorted ship that has lost the ability to maneuver. A transom link is a high-strength, oblong member, having a pivot arm that pivots open to allow a closed eye of a line to be captured by the transom link. The tugboat maneuvers close to the escorted ship so that a member of the tugboat's crew can seize a pennant line attached to the ship. The transom link is attached to the tugboat's tow line and the ship's pennant line is brought to the transom link. The tugboat's crew member forces open the pivot arm of the transom link and captures the closed eye of the ship's pennant line in the transom link. The tow line of the tugboat is let out to distance the tugboat from the escorted ship and then the tugboat maneuvers as needed to complete the rescue of the escorted ship.