Abstract: An apparatus for automated rope management on a vessel is described. The apparatus may include a first retraction unit configured to provide rotation about a first rotational axis, a second retraction unit connected to the first retraction unit and configured to provide rotation about a second rotational axis, and a mounting bracket coupled to the first retraction unit and configured for mounting the apparatus to the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrofoil for a watercraft including a fuselage and two wings arranged on either side of the fuselage and designed to provide hydrodynamic lift to the hydrofoil when it is moving through the water. According to the invention, the two wings are rotatable relative to the fuselage between a deployed position when the hydrofoil is stationary, and a retracted position towards a rear part of the fuselage by the water pressure exerted on the wings when the hydrofoil is moving through the water.

Abstract: An anti-wave floating photovoltaic device comprises a folding panel frame, an elastic support leg, a buoy and a self-locking support rod. The folding panel frame includes multiple unit frames and configured to be folded or unfolded by Miura folding. The adjacent unit frames are connected by a hinge mechanism and a photovoltaic panel is provided on the front side of the folded panel frame. The elastic support leg includes a V-shaped support rod and a U-shaped support rod with a changeable opening and providing elasticity through springs. The buoy includes a power buoy, an intermediate buoy and a driven buoy. The power buoy connects the intermediate buoy and the driven buoy through a rod.

Abstract: Provided is watercraft hull system, including a hull having a fore end, an aft end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the fore end and the aft end; a substantially V-shaped portion extending from the fore end toward the aft end along a portion of the longitudinal axis; and a substantially M-shaped portion extending from the V-shaped portion toward the aft end, wherein the V-shaped portion gradually transitions to the M-shaped portion.

Abstract: A hydrofoil watercraft system comprising: a flotation device; a downward mast extending from a bottom surface of the flotation device; a fuselage, a foil wing extending from one first end of the fuselage; and a plurality of fins independently movable independent of one another, wherein at least two of the movable fins extend in opposite directions from one second end of the fuselage, where the movable fins are used for steering the watercraft. The system further includes a controller for receiving user input, wherein the controller drives the movable fins respectively based on the user input. One of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a first axis while another of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially symmetrical with respect to the fuselage.

Abstract: A platform assembly configured to be coupled to a tower of a sea vessel. The platform assembly includes a platform, a series of brackets configured to be coupled to the platform, and a series of clamps configured to be coupled to the series of brackets. The series of clamps are configured to detachably couple the platform assembly to the tower of the sea vessel.

Abstract: An anchor rope system for an offshore device for fixing an offshore device to a subsea floor. The anchor rope system includes at least one anchor rope surrounded by at least one sheathing. The anchor rope system includes at least one condition sensor formed by at least one fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides inflatable watercraft that are light weight, easily stowed in relatively small spaces and formed from inflatable drop stitch panels. A preferred watercraft is a boat having a bow, stern, keel and an open transom for self-bailing. A deck can be provided as a separate panel that is cither permanently, or detachably, connected to freeboard sides of the watercraft. When connected, the deck provides a sitting area, and enhances the strength and rigidity of the watercraft by functioning like a deck beam. Optional features include a bucket held in place by, and fitted through, a hole in the deck panel. Preferred inflation pressures are between 2 and 25 p.s.i., and more preferably between 12 and 18 p.s.i.

Abstract: In a watersport board having a fin socket configured to receive a connector of a fin such that a blade of the fin is at a specified distance from a trailing end of the watersport board when the connector of the fin is mounted in the fin socket, the improvement may include an offset-adapted fin, the offset-adapted fin may include: a connector configured to be mounted in the fin socket of the watersport board; and a blade attached to the connector; wherein the blade is offset with respect to the connector in a longitudinal offset direction by an offset distance such that when the connector of the offset-adapted fin is mounted in the fin socket of the watersport board, the blade of the offset-adapted fin is distanced from the trailing end of the watersport board by a distance that is different from the specified distance by the offset distance.

Abstract: A robot (2) and method for underwater monitoring and maintenance of a ship's hull (1) when the ship is underway, are described. The robot (2) comprises a main body (5), a connector (21) for connecting the robot (2) to a cable (3) for towing the robot (2), a resting base (13) adopted to rest against the ship's hull (1), one or more hydrofoil(s) (6, 7) arranged perpendicular to the length axis of the main body (5), and a rudder (8) arranged at the front part of the main body (5), the main body (5) being a straight and elongated body having a length to width ratio of 5 or more, where the length of the hydrofoil(s) (6, 7) as seen perpendicular to the main body (5), is/are longer than the width of the main body (5), and where the connector (21) for the cable (3) is arranged at one end of a hydrofoil (6), or at an arm extending parallel with the one or more hydrofoil(s).

Abstract: An accessory mounting track provides quick and easy removable attachment and positioning of various devices. The method of attachment of devices to the accessory mounting track may be compatible with the attachment of these devices to other mounting systems, allowing the accessory mounting track to be used interchangeably with those systems.

Abstract: A water safety garment and apparatus configured to avoid drowning can be configured to permit submergence for a predetermined period of time without inflation. After the predetermined time has passed, the garment or other apparatus can be configured to inflate to help a person wearing the garment float on top of the water to avoid drowning or other potentially harmful condition that may result from being underwater for too long. In some embodiments, a circuit may be utilized to detect the submergence condition of a person wearing the apparatus or garment. Upon a determination that the detected submergence condition has occurred continuously for a pre-determined period of time, an inflation mechanism can be actuated to force the person wearing the apparatus or garment to float to the top of the water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nose cone system that comprises an inflatable body, a plurality of retainer ribs, a retainer trough positioned below the inflatable body, a plurality of winches attached along the outer surface of the retainer trough, and a plurality of winch straps with which to pull in the inflatable body as it is deflated while holding it in place, in coordination with the winch.

Abstract: A pedestal for mounting a downrigger fishing device to the deck of a watercraft, with the pedestal having a support post, a base plate, a mounting plate, one or more reinforcing members, and one or more securing plates.

Abstract: A rigid-inflatable boat (RIB) includes a solid hull and an inflatable tube, forming a part of a gunwale. The boat includes a tube air filling system with an air conduit arranged to communicate with air pumping system and a tube, where the air conduit extends along at least a portion of the tube. The solid hull includes a gunwale portion, forming a part of the gunwale, where the air conduit is enclosed in the gunwale portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a pop-up vest, illustratively implemented as a flotation apparel item comprising a water sport apparel item, an inflatable Personal Flotation Device (PFD) configured in the water sport apparel item, and an inflation trigger configured to inflate the PFD. The water sport apparel item may comprise a shirt, t-shirt, wetsuit or rash guard. The water sport apparel item may be adapted to retain the PFD between an outer apparel item layer and a base apparel item layer sewn together. The inflation trigger may be a pull tab configured to inflate the PFD when desired. The inflation trigger may be a sensor configured to automatically inflate the PFD when the sensor is wet. An exemplary pop-up vest implementation may be configured with a water activated light to improve visibility. Some pop-up vest designs may comprise a whistle permitting the user to raise awareness of their location.

Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.

Abstract: A waterboard assembly (such as a surfboard assembly) may include a first body portion, a second body portion, and a joining mechanism positioned to releasably attach the first body portion to the second body portion. In some embodiments, the joining mechanism may include a first interlocking portion and a second interlocking portion. The first interlocking portion may be attached to, integral with, or part of, the first body portion. The second interlocking portion may be attached to, integral with, or part of, the second body portion. The first interlocking portion may releasably interlock with the second interlocking portion. In some embodiments, the joining mechanism may include one or more fasteners for holding the interlocking portions together.

Abstract: A system and method for sending instrument data from a sub-surface activity, such as data collection by one or more sensors, to another location, e.g., a satellite, a ground-based location, a vessel, etc., with minimal time exposure and minimal visibility of any system components at the water surface. Exemplary embodiments include a motorized payout-and-retrieval system or device, an air injection device, and a water-level sensor with automation control that together can be used to move a vessel, connected to an antenna, from a position in the water column in which the antenna is below the surface to a higher position in which the antenna is at or above the surface for data transmission.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a houseboat assembly formed from a cabin assembly secured to a hull assembly. In some version of the houseboat assembly, one or both of the cabin assembly and the hull assembly may be formed in accordance with a boat type and/or a floor plan. The boat type and/or floor plan may be selected by a customer. The cabin assembly may be formed at a first location and the hull assembly may be formed at a second location. The cabin assembly and hull assembly may then be transported to a third location. At the third location, the cabin assembly may be secured to the hull assembly to form the cabin assembly at the third location. The third location may be requested or specified by the customer.