Abstract: A ship loading ramp designed to allow for substantial changes in tide. The ramp pivots about a pair of lugs at each end. Each lug extends from one corner of the ramp into a fitting having an upward opening slot. One set of slotted fittings is in a tailpiece on the pier, and the second set of slotted fittings is located on the deck of the ship. As the level of the ship deck falls below the level of the pier the ramp will settle on the pier and lift out of the slotted fittings on the ship deck, thereby freeing the ramp from the ship. As the ship later rises with the tide, the slotted fittings on the ship will engage the lugs on the ramp and will proceed to raise and tilt the ramp. During this period of rising tide, the ramp will become further and further inclined until it reaches a maximum positive angle of inclination. At this maximum angle, a pair of cables extending from the ship to the ramp will pull taut and proceed to lift the ramp out of the slotted fittings on the tailpiece and into the air.

Abstract: A mooring system is proposed for use at docks where tide changes are large. The system requires two vertical mooring posts positioned on the dock at a distance apart so that when the ship is docked one will be at a bow section of the ship and the other at a stern section. The ship is fitted with two post-engaging devices, one in the bow area and one in the stern area, each of which will be in alignment with the appropriate mooring post. The post-engaging devices are mechanically movable so as to engage the adjacent post and the engagement will prevent horizontal movement of the ship, but will permit vertical movement in accord with the tides.