Abstract: The invention relates to the field of shipbuilding and more specifically to the screw propeller for a pod drive of a vessel, particularly an ice-going vessel, providing movement both ahead and astern in icy conditions where the ice is traversable, while also providing steering for the vessel, and to a pod drive comprising said screw propeller. To reduce the weight, and consequently the cost, of the pod drive, the screw propeller comprises a propeller hub, made so that it can be rigidly attached to the conical tailpiece of the propeller shaft, and screw propeller blades, each comprising a blade foil and a blade flange made in one piece, mounted on the propeller hub. The blade foil passes into the blade flange via a fillet joint forming the weakest portion for the possible destruction of the blade in the cross section of its foil, located immediately adjacent to the fillet joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating on-command buoyancy is provided with an elastically deformable and axially elongated watertight hollow shell having a plurality of leaf springs and enveloped by a flexible skin. When flattened, the shell has a small internal volume and is negatively buoyant. The hollow shell is held in this position by a latch mechanism. When the mechanism is released, the leaf springs expand to increase the internal volume of the shell. In this state, the system is buoyant. A release mechanism for the latch bar is provided in a forward closure to permit transition from negatively buoyant to a buoyant configuration when an external signal is received.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a remote underwater location using an unmanned underwater vessel (5). The system includes an unmanned surface vessel (8), a communication unit (7) for submerged location and connected to the unmanned surface vessel (8) and in which the unmanned surface vessel has a position tracking control system for controlling the position of that vessel on a body of water and relative to the unmanned underwater vehicle (5). The communication unit (7) has a first wireless communication arrangement for communication with the unmanned underwater vehicle, a second wired communication arrangement (10) for communication with the unmanned surface vessel and the unmanned surface vessel has a third communication arrangement for communication with an operator or observer (1) remote from the unmanned surface vessel and the unmanned underwater vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a ship provided with an installation for launching and recovering floating or submersible vehicles, that includes a lifting device having a set of cables that holds a basket configured to support the vehicle during launching and recovering operations, the cables being movable vertically between two positions, a high and a low position respectively. The basket includes an upper face that bears against a surface, referred to as a “contact surface”, of the lifting device, only when the cables are in the high position.

Abstract: A flexible pipe system includes an unbonded flexible pipe connected to a floating vessel and a sensor system with an optical fibre integrated in the unbonded flexible pipe. Interrogating equipment transmits optical signals into the fibre, receives optical signals reflected from the fibre and detects a parameter of the unbonded flexible pipe. A turret connects the flexible pipe rotationally to the floating vessel via a swivel device that provides a fluid transfer passage between the turret and the vessel. The interrogating equipment is arranged on the turret and is further configured to transfer signals indicative of the detected parameter to receiving equipment on the floating vessel. In this way, optical signals reflected from the fibre can reach the interrogating equipment without distortion in the swivel, so that parameters can be detected with sufficient quality also for floating vessels equipped with a turret mooring system.

Abstract: Fin arrangement for a water sports device, having a base body (1) and a fin (3) which is detachably connected or connectable to the base body (1) via a spring element (2), whereby the base body (1) has a mounting surface (21) for resting against the sliding surface (5) of the main body (4) of the water sports device, and whereby the fin (3) has a recess (24) for receiving at least part of the base body (1). The fin arrangement may be arranged on the sliding surface (5) of the main body (4) of a water sports device.

Abstract: A watercraft mounting system that embodies a moving mounting platform and a protective hull cavity which provides protection, prevents damage and improves storage of data collection systems.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for an unmanned surface vehicle including a vehicle body and a rigid square-rig wing coupled with the primary vehicle body. The rigid square-rig wing includes a first surface configured to interact with wind to generate a force that propels the primary vehicle body in a direction of travel that is primarily composed of drag, and a second surface configured to interact with the wind to generate a force that propels the primary vehicle body in a direction of travel that is primarily composed of lift. The unmanned surface vehicle further includes a rudder and a control system comprising a controller, the control system configured to determine a rudder position and generate a signal to position the rudder to the rudder position.

Abstract: A damping system is presented for damping an oscillation of a load on a fluctuant water surface. The damping system may include four buoyancy systems, two on each side of the load. Each buoyancy system may include two buoys, a lower frame and an upper frame.

Abstract: A methane transportation system is provided. The system may include a methane source configured to dispense methane at a first location, and an underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle may include a propulsion system configured to transport the underwater vehicle underwater from the first location to a second location and a vessel defining a storage chamber configured to receive water and the methane from the methane source. The storage chamber of the vessel may have a pressure exceeding one atmosphere and a temperature during transport from the first location to the second location sufficient to form methane clathrate in the storage chamber. The system may further include a methane receiver configured to receive the methane released from the storage chamber at the second location. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A lower deck for a watercraft is attached to and supported by an amidships hull, and an actuator slides the lower deck and amidships hull between a stowed position and an extended position on guide rails that are secured to the underside frame of the upper deck that is supported by abeam hulls. When fully extended, the lower deck remains attached to the watercraft while a portion of the lower deck's aft section and the aft end of the amidships hull remains beneath the upper deck. A pair of side beams respectively connect to a port side and a starboard side of the lower deck or the amidships hull. Sliding members, such as rollers and/or guide bars respectively connect to the guide rails, and the side beams respectively engage and slide on the sliding members.

Abstract: The invention relates to boat building and can be used in the building and modification of sea-going high-speed keeled monohull sailboats or sail and motor boats with a high sail power to weight ratio, where a single, narrow, wave-penetrating displacement hull is used. To provide for the stable controlled movement of a keeled monohull sailboat or sail and motor boat in wave penetration mode, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rig (2) for a nautical means comprising: —a reference plane intended to coincide with a symmetry plane extending in longitudinal and vertical direction of the hull of the nautical means; —at least one wing; —at least one rigid support capable of supporting said wing and transmitting a propulsive thrust to the hull of the nautical means given by the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing when it takes wind; —the wing comprising a first and a second main face opposite to each other, —the rigid support being capable of supporting the wing at least in a first operating configuration in which at least a main portion of the first or second face is facing a first side of the reference plane and in a second operating configuration in which said main portion is facing the opposite side of the reference plane; —the rigid support comprising a wing sliding path for switching from the first to the second operating position and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marine structure comprising an external surface (50), a load (2, 20, 21, 22, 25) comprising a light source, said load having a first load terminal (2a) and a second load terminal (2b) adapted to be powered by an AC power source (1), said AC power source (1) having a first AC terminal (1a) electrically connectable to the surface (50) and a second AC terminal (1b), a first electrode (3) electrically connected to the first load terminal (2a), and a dielectric layer (4). The first electrode (3) and the dielectric layer (4) are arranged to form, in combination with the surface (50), a capacitor (6) for capacitive transmission of electrical power between the first electrode (3) and the surface (50). The second AC terminal (1b) and the second load terminal (2b) are arranged to be electrically connected to an external electrically conductive element (10, 11) insulated from the surface (50). The first load terminal (2a) is electrically insulated from the second load terminal (2b).

Abstract: An inflatable ride-on water toy comprising a stylized body that is connected to a separately inflated safety ring using a variety of configurations.

Abstract: A therapeutic flotation device and a therapeutic method of use thereof is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of buoyant float elements and a member (an elongated web strap) that couples each of the buoyant float elements such that the buoyant float elements are serially aligned along the member. A first end of the member is secured to a second end of the member. A mating mechanism, such as a buckle, secures the first end of the member to the second end of the member, or the two ends of the member may be permanently secured to each other using an adhesive or by being sewn together. Each of the buoyant float elements has a center aperture aligned along the center of a cross-section thereof. The member is preferably coupled to each of the buoyant float elements by being sequentially passed through the center apertures of each buoyant float element.

Abstract: An amphibious motorcycle with a hull that provides desirable buoyancy for the vehicle to float while in the water and yet allows the vehicle to lean/turn during use on land is provided. The amphibious motorcycle has a front wheel with a front suspension system and a rear wheel with a rear suspension system. Also included can be at least one wheel retraction system that is operable to move the front wheel and/or the rear wheel between a deployed position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on or in the water. The amphibious motorcycle also has a hull that can have a center portion with a center bow and two oppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions each with a side bow.

Abstract: An underarm float for infants, comprising a main body, the main body is composed of a front part and rear parts, which are connected to each other, wherein rear parts are connected to both ends of the front part, and rear parts at the two ends of front part are oppositely arranged; a first arc groove and second arc grooves are formed at the joint between front part and a rear part, first arc groove is downwards recessed along the upper surface of the front part and the rear part, and the second arc grooves are inwards recessed along the side surface of the front part and the rear part; a shoulder strap is arranged at the joint between the front part and the rear part, and the shoulder strap is located above the first arc groove; and the oppositely arranged rear parts are provided with an elastic cord.

Abstract: A surfboard fin assembly for the flush incorporation into a surfboard body that allows for adjusting the depth the fin extends below the surfboard. It has a biasing means that maintains the fin in the down position yet allows upward movement upon the application of upward force such as when the fin is struck from below. The fin is perpendicularly affixed to a hinge body that is pivotally housed in an open ended fin box that is integrated into the volume of the surfboard body. A means for tensioning is releasably attached at a distal end to the hinge body and at a proximal end to the surfer's ankle. The height of the fin is adjustable through the means for tensioning and sets the performance of the surfboard to the surfer's desired level of directional control depending on their type of surfing. The fin or fin and hinge body are interchangeable with other design of fins.

Abstract: A system for operating a boat equipped with an electric drive includes a component controller. The component controller includes a component interface for connecting a system component of the electric drive, and a communication interface for connecting the component controller to a system bus of the drive control.