Abstract: SCUBA diving equipment is composed of a heavy SCUBA pressure vessel, buoyancy compensation device and a heavy weight system. Together with a constricting exposure suit the current setup makes for a rather cumbersome system. Perfect buoyancy is a term used in SCUBA diving to describe the ability of the diver to maintain its vertical position in the water column. Doing so requires a thorough understanding of the governing physics principles as well as considerable practice time. Together, the cumbersome nature of standard SCUBA systems and the physical and mental requirements of operating said systems underwater are a commercial hurdle, preventing many individuals from entering the sport. The present invention provides systems that can significantly simplify both elements by allowing water to occupy some of the pressure vessel internal volume.

Abstract: An oar apparatus configured to remain submerged under water during the power stroke and the return stroke. The oar apparatus has a sheath and a shaft rotationally disposed within the sheath. An oar blade is affixed to the shaft, such that the oar blade is rotational relative to the sheath. The oar blade has a deployed orientation, in which the oar blade is substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the vessel, and a feathered configuration, in which the oar blade is substantially parallel to the movement direction of the vessel. The oar blade is asymmetrical relative to the center axis of the shaft, such that resistance of the water exerted onto the oar blade creates a first moment urging the oar blade into the deployed orientation during the power stroke and a second moment urging the oar blade into the feathered orientation on the return stroke.

Abstract: A method for controlling an elastic mount configured to support a propulsion device with respect to a marine vessel, wherein the elastic mount contains an electromagnetic fluid and an electromagnet and is configured such that adjusting an amount of electricity applied to the electromagnet changes the shear strength of the electromagnetic fluid and thereby controls elasticity of the elastic mount, including applying a first amount of electricity to the electromagnet to produce a first elasticity in the elastic mount, determining that a vessel speed indicator exceeds a high speed threshold, determining that a trim position for the propulsion device is greater than a threshold trim position, detecting at least a threshold decrease in throttle demand, and applying a second amount of electricity to the electromagnet wherein the second amount of electricity is greater than the first amount of electricity, so as to decrease the elasticity of the elastic mount.

Abstract: A rigging system (1) for a sailboat comprising: a mast (3) that extends substantially vertical from a hull; a boom (5) that extends substantially horizontal from the mast (3); a vang tube (7) extending between the mast and the boom to resist relative force and/or moment of the boom (5) towards the mast (3), wherein the vang tube (7) is substantially arcuate and a convex side of the actuate vang tube (7) faces an intersection (9) of the boom (5) and the mast (3) and wherein the vang tube (7) is located above the boom (5).

Abstract: Fluke drive system for a vessel (100), comprising a pivot element (114) having a forward end and an aft end, which pivot element (114) is pivotally connected at the forward end to a hull (101) of the vessel (100) and which pivot element (114) is connected at the aft end to a flexible fluke (125); a driving mechanism having a drive point (120), which driving mechanism is arranged to impart a reciprocal or rotary movement to the drive point (120); and a drive rod (121) having a first end and a second end, which drive rod (121) is connected at the first end to the drive point (120) and at the second end to the pivot element (114), which second end is connected to the pivot element (114) at a point (122) along the pivot element (114) between said forward and aft ends.

Abstract: A method is for making a marine drive for propelling a marine vessel in water. The method includes providing a gearcase; installing a propeller shaft assembly that extends forwardly from the gearcase; coupling front and rear propellers to the propeller shaft assembly, forwardly of the gearcase, such that rotation of the propeller shaft assembly causes rotation of the front and rear propellers, respectively, which thereby propels the marine vessel in the water; and reducing deleterious effects of cavitation on the gearcase by the combination of forming the gearcase with a wide trailing end portion, in particular to maintain pressure alongside the gearcase, and configuring the front and rear propellers so that the front propeller absorbs more torque/thrust load than the rear propeller during said rotation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a valve to disengage a gear in a transmission. The method includes reducing, after receiving a request to disengage the gear, a current supplied to the valve from a starting to a first current. The method further includes counting a first elapsed time since the valve was reduced to the first current, comparing the first elapsed time to a first wait time, and increasing the current supplied to the valve to a second current once the first elapsed time exceeds the first wait time. The method further includes counting a second elapsed time since the valve was increased to the second current, comparing the second elapsed time to a second wait time, and reducing the current supplied to the valve to a third current once the second elapsed exceeds the second wait time. The valve is closed when the current is the third current.

Abstract: An anchor rescue system includes an improved slider assembly 200 and retriever assembly 300 allowing for secure attachment as the retriever assembly is lowered upon an anchor line to attach to the slider assembly. Once attached, the retriever assembly pulls upon the slider assembly with the slider assembly attached to a tether chain 210 with the tether chain attached to a lower portion of the anchor, such as crown, causing the anchor to move upwardly in a relative horizontal position. The system frees trapped anchors without need for floatation devices.

Abstract: A bifurcating marine motor fresh water flush assembly comprising a wye having an inlet port and a manifold for distributing flow from the inlet port to each of a plurality of delivery ports. The wye further includes a valve for controlling flow through each delivery port. A supply line is connected to the inlet port. A delivery line connected to each delivery port. Each delivery line is connected to a flush port of a respective marine motor or an engine flusher. Flush water is provided to the inlet port, distributed to each open delivery port and forwarded to a respective marine motor to flush the motor accordingly. An engine flush intake adaptor assembly can be installed in each motor flush inlet connection, wherein a swivel connection of the adapter enables rotation when forming the union.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a vessel includes an engine propulsion unit that provides a propulsive force to a hull by using an engine as a power source, an electric propulsion unit that provides a propulsive force to the hull by using an electric motor as a power source, a storing mechanism that is displaced from an actuating position to actuate the electric propulsion unit to a storing position to store the electric propulsion unit and performs a storing operation to store the electric propulsion unit, and an interlock controller that interlocks a storing operation of the storing mechanism with generation of a propulsive force by the engine propulsion unit.

Abstract: A docketing device includes a docking station able to be hauled by a carrying vessel at a tow point (T), the docking station comprising a body comprising a beam extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (x) of the body and a stop allowing a movement of an underwater vehicle with respect to the body along the longitudinal axis (x) to be blocked, the dorsal beam extending longitudinally above the underwater vehicle in abutment against the stop, a center of gravity of the docking station and a center of buoyancy of the docking station being positioned, and the tow point (T) being able to occupy a docking position that is such that the docking station exhibits a predetermined docking negative pitch when it is fully submerged and hauled by the carrying vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A compliant net support system for supporting a net of a marine barrier is provided. Embodiments include a floating marine barrier module comprising a flotation device; a supporting framework attached to the flotation device; a plurality of impact net support posts; and an impact net attached to each of the support posts and extending between the plurality of support posts along a longitudinal axis of the barrier module. At least one of the impact net support posts is a compliant net support post having a unidirectionally elastic spring element attached between a bottom of the support post and the supporting framework; and the spring element is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier module, and substantially inflexible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrier module.

Abstract: A furling and adjustment assembly for boat sails, includes a hooking device, configured to be mated to a coupling for the sail and to a tack sheet. The assembly also includes an actuation pulley assembly, configured to be actuated by an actuation rope and functionally associated with the hooking device in order to transmit, by way of the latter, a furling/unfurling movement to the sail. The hooking device and the actuation pulley assembly can be mutually moved between a condition of mutual engagement and a condition of mutual disengagement, so as to allow the adjustment of the tack point of the sail while a fixed spatial position of the actuation pulley assembly remains constant.

Abstract: A jet propulsion watercraft includes a vessel body, a jet pump that is disposed at the vessel body and that includes a water jet opening, and a first guide that is attached to the vessel body. The jet pump generates a thrust by sucking in water existing around the vessel body and jetting the water from the water jet opening. The first guide receives water flowing on a lateral side of the vessel body and generates a downforce that generates a wake behind the vessel body.

Abstract: Summary, the system is a 3D pop-up or pop-out survival system. The system sometimes involves a device that is worn on a person. The device potentially includes an activation button that, when pressed, releases an inflatable or memory spring pop-up/pop-out.

Abstract: A buoyancy generator for a vehicle may include a housing detachably mounted on a vehicle, a buoyancy generating unit mounted in the housing and including a tube configured to be inflated and deployed to an outside of the housing and a gas supply connected to the tube and configured to supply inflation gas to the tube during operation, and a handle unit provided in the housing and having a handle to be operated to deploy the tube so that the tube floats to a water surface due to buoyancy of the tube to allow an occupant gripping the handle to float to the water surface together with the tube.

Abstract: A buoyancy tank for a portable floatation apparatus which allows for the elevation of a watercraft above a water-line and which allows for the removal of the watercraft from a body of water. The buoyancy tank has at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which supports the floatation apparatus in transport and storage. The integrated cylindrical structures provide sufficient support to allow the removal of the floatation apparatus by use of a boat lift and further provide sufficient support to allow a watercraft to be stacked on top of the floating apparatus while the floating apparatus is stacked on top of the floating apparatus for the purposes of storage. A plurality of said buoyancy tanks may be connected to the portable floatation apparatus by use of connecting means.

Abstract: A modular system, which may include a modular ramp for a landing craft, is described. For example, a ramp module according to some embodiments includes an enclosure defining a cavity, wherein the enclosure is configured to be removably received in a watertight recess formed in the hull of the landing craft. The ramp module also includes an extendible ramp operatively coupled to the enclosure and configured to be extended from the enclosure such that the ramp extends from the deck of the landing craft toward a shore to provide a support surface for unloading cargo onto or in close proximity to the shore. The extendible ramp is configured to be substantially fully retracted within the cavity, in some cases the enclosure forming an water tight seal with the recess in the hull and/or sealing the ramp, when retracted, in a water tight manner within its cavity.

Abstract: A saildrive arrangement (1) which comprises an upper unit (13) to be positioned inside a hull (5) of a sailboat (7) and a lower unit (14) which is arranged to protrude from the bottom (6) of the hull (5). The upper unit (13) comprises an input shaft (4) to be connected to an engine (2) and the lower unit (14) comprises a propeller shaft (9). A brake (15), for locking the rotational movement of the propeller shaft (9), is located in the upper unit (13). The saildrive arrangement (1) is incorporated into a sailboat (7) with a hull (5) and an engine (2).

Abstract: A nonlimiting example of a yacht preserver includes a handle, an inflator device connected to an upper end of the handle and an inflatable bladder connected to a lower end of the handle. In this nonlimiting example, the inflator device includes a gas canister that is connected to the inflatable bladder by a tube and is configured to deliver gas to inflate the bladder upon activation. The yacht preserver may be used to seal an opening of a yacht by placing the uninflated bladder near the opening in the yacht and activating the inflator device allowing the bladder to expand to seal the opening.