Abstract: The disclosure provides a semi-submersible offshore platform with columns having an enlarged base on the bottom of each column with pontoons coupled between the columns. The enlarged column base can be at least as high as a height of the pontoon and on at least embodiment can be about 50% of the draft of the platform. The enlarged base can change a current flow shape around the base and columns for lower VIM. An outside corner of the base can be trimmed at an angle. Alternatively, the lower portions of the columns can be extended horizontally outward to form an effectively enlarged base having similar characteristics. In some embodiments, the pontoon volume can be reduced inversely proportional to the base enlargement to have comparable total buoyancy.

Abstract: An attachment flange for buoys and marine fenders. The attachment flange includes an opening therethrough that includes a substantially continuously curved interior surface which engages a line to increase the surface contact area between the opening of the attachment flange and the line. The opening of the attachment flange further includes rounded edges which reduce the abrasion and localized stress applied to the line. The curved surface with the rounded edges enables the attachment flange to receive less concentrated forces applied thereto, which may extend the life of the attachment flange or may reduce the required reinforcement needed for a given application. The features disclosed herein also reduce the abrasion and concentration of force applied to the line coupled to the attachment flange which helps to prevent line wear and failure.

Abstract: A disconnectable buoyant turret mooring system for an FPSO is vulnerable to damage from collisions between the buoy and the buoy turret cage during mating and de-mating operations. It is therefore desirable that the buoy separate quickly from the turret of the FPSO vessel during a disconnect operation. A buoy turret cage is provided with a certain degree of porosity that allows a flow of seawater from the outside of the receptor to the inner surface of the receptor. Introducing water in this way relieves the suction forces and allows for a quicker separation of the buoy from the turret of the FPSO vessel, minimizing the time during which an uncontrolled collision between the buoy and the FPSO vessel is most likely. Filling a portion of the turret above the mooring buoy with water prior to releasing the buoy also decreases the separation time.

Abstract: A buoy for automated collection and transmittal of data. Select embodiments allow calculation of mass balance using data collected from an ice floe. The buoy is adapted to be inserted into the water through an opening in ice so that the buoy floats with the ice floe, the top of the buoy protruding above the surface of the ice floe. The buoy walls are constructed of white PVC. One section of the buoy incorporates closed cell foam for maintaining buoyancy and a bottom section houses a counterweight for maintaining proper orientation of the buoy in the water, the buoy requiring no support from its surrounds while minimally impacting response of the surrounding ice to it. Multiple sensors are incorporated for gathering data and a satellite transmitter transmits the data to a remote user.

Abstract: A remotely operated underwater vehicle for cleaning surfaces submerged in water, the underwater vehicle having a first side, a second side, a propulsion means, a plurality of trimming means, a first buoyancy means attached to the first side and a second buoyancy means attached to the second side. Elements of the plurality of trimming means are arranged on opposite sides of the centre of gravity of the vehicle and at least one of the plurality of trimming means has a movable mass and a displacement region into which the movable mass can move. The center of gravity of the vehicle is automatically shifted when the vehicle is accelerating or changes orientation, in which the first buoyancy means provides more buoyancy than the second buoyancy means such that the center of buoyancy is located above the center of gravity of the vehicle irrespective of the orientation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A deck arrangement for a vessel or platform (1) configured for performing subsea operations, the vessel or platform having a main deck (2) and a working station (4a) and facilities (9b, 6; 28) for supporting activities in the working station, the working station further comprising a working area (4b). One or more deck elements (14a,b, 15) are arranged at an elevation different from than of the main deck (2) and at an elevation where upper surfaces of the deck elements (14a,b, 15) and the upper surface of the working area (4b) are on the same, or substantially same, level. Preferably, the deck elements are arranged above the main deck (2) and above one or more of the facilities (9b, 6, 28). The facilities may be a riser storage compartment, a BOP area and/or a pipe deck.

Abstract: A pedal propulsion device for use on a small watercraft, having a lightweight portable frame with integral foot-engagement cranks. A propeller and rudder assembly driven by the foot cranks automatically will adjust for obstacles within and below the water, while maintaining direct drive by utilizing a depth stabilizer assembly extending from the support frame.

Abstract: A life vest with a rescue handle located on the back side thereof. The rescue handle has a flange located at the lower end thereof, the flange being attached to the back side of the life vest with the rescue handle extending substantially vertically upwards. The rescue handle is attached to the back side of the life vest in a manner adapted to support the weight of a user. The rescue handle has a non-loop shape that eliminates the potential for entanglement with objects in the water.

Abstract: Collapsible, adjustable scuba fin with a cam lock feature. The blades of the fin are set on an enclosed track in the foot plate which allows the blades to be extended to create a fin of variable surface area for different swimming conditions or retracted under the foot plate for walking. The blades can be locked in place by the cam lock which is attached to the foot plate by means of a screw and foot pocket by means of an adjustable pull lanyard. The foot pocket and heel hilt can be adjusted to accommodate feet and footwear of varying size, and style allowing a single fin to fit multiple individuals and requirements. A T-bolt slider set in the foot plate can be rotated or removed to access the space between the blades allowing for the clearing of debris.

Abstract: A monohull offshore drilling vessel includes a hull having a moonpool; a multiple firing line hoist system mounted on the hull at the moonpool and including a mast having a top side and a base connected to the hull, wherein the mast has a hollow construction with a first side and an opposed second side; a first hoisting device having load attachment means displaceable along a first firing line extending on the outside of and adjacent to the first side of the mast; a second hoisting device having load attachment means displaceable along a second firing line, which on the outside of and adjacent to the second side of the mast; wherein the first and second hoisting devices each include cable(s) and associated winch(es), the winches disposed in the hollow construction of the mast, to manipulate the position of each of the load attachment devices relative to the mast.

Abstract: A watersports boat includes a hull having an underside defining a running surface that contacts water when the hull moves therein. An aft running surface section of the hull has (a) a trailing edge forming an aft-most point of the contact with water along any given buttock line of the hull when the hull is moving forward, (b) a non-repositionable aft running surface section forming a first portion of the trailing edge, and (c) a re-positionable aft running surface section forming a second portion of the trailing edge. The first portion of the trailing edge and second portion of the trailing edge meet substantially tangent to one another.

Abstract: A hull mounted, steerable marine drive system having trim actuation is both steerable through 360 degrees and is trimmable in a range of from approximately +3 degrees to approximately ?15 degrees. The marine drive system includes a watertight enclosure assembly for sealing the hull, which is adapted for keeping much of the marine drive system from being exposed to water. The enclosure includes a gasket flange plate, a retention plate and a folded gasket. The gasket flange plate closely follows the contour of the hull and enhances the hydrodynamic and wake performance of the present marine drive system. Further, marine drive system includes a forward-neutral-reverse (FNR) transmission assembly, a drive unit assembly having a trimmable upper unit and a steerable lower unit, a steering actuator assembly, a trim actuator assembly, and, preferably, trim foils for enhancing lift to assist in getting the boat up on plane.

Abstract: An underwater man-powered mechanical propeller includes a screw propeller arranged on a screw propeller shaft and encircled by a concentric protective ring. One side of the protective ring is provided with a supporting plate on which a first gear and a second gear mesh with each other, and a transitional gear and the second ear form a meshing pair. The drive shaft of the transitional gear passes through the supporting plate and has a second bevel gear, which meshes with a first bevel gear provided on the screw propeller shaft. The first gear is connected to a first connecting rod and the second gear is connected to a second connecting rod.

Abstract: A buoyancy-based lifting system can be dynamically controlled to lift, move, or hold a load an object of arbitrary size at a fixed depth. The control system can control the trajectory of a flexible gas-filled lift bag and attached load by opening or closing inflation and deflation valves based on ambient pressure readings obtained during a lift. Stable control can be achieved and maintained without having to directly measure the actual volume of gas in the lift bag, and without having to accumulate measurements of gas flows into and out of the bag. A controller can pre-determine limits of instability and lift control parameters, then use this information in conjunction with ambient pressure readings to prevent the system from becoming unstable during a lift. User intervention is generally unnecessary to maintain the system's instability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mounting and controlling a motor on a kayak are disclosed. A motor may be mounted to a kayak by a single interface on the kayak and rotated using foot pegs. The control system provides for responsive input and automatic directional stabilization of the motor.

Abstract: A paddle device. First and second paddle assemblies each have a paddle blade extending from a paddle end of a paddle arm so that the paddle structures each have a paddle blade end and a paddle arm end. A hand crankable crank shaft arrangement have a center and first and second ends and having handle segments. The paddle arm end of the first paddle structure is coupled to the first end of the crank shaft arrangement and the paddle arm end of the second paddle structure is coupled to the second end of the crank shaft arrangement. First and second handle grips are rotatably coupled to the crank shaft arrangement so as to permit the crank shaft arrangement to rotate with respect to the first and second handle grips when the crankshaft arrangement is cranked. This abstract is not to be considered limiting.

Abstract: A floatation survival pod includes an elongate floatation body (1) having sufficient buoyancy to remain afloat when holding a plurality of persons, handles (4) formed on the sides (5) thereof for grasping by the persons, one or more ports (6) formed in the top and bottom of said body for receiving and mounting a flare or the like and two or more compartments (7) formed either side of the longitudinal axis of said body for storing survival tools wherein the compartments provide access to the survival tools when the pod is floating in any orientation without compromising the floatation of the pod or comprising the security of persons using the pod.

Abstract: A vessel has a hull, a contact area at the hull near keel level for attaching to a structure, a lifting device and a lifting cable attached thereto and extending along a heave compensating member. The lifting cable extends along a substantially vertical lifting trajectory to a connect position below keel level. The heave compensating member includes a guide element for guiding the lifting cable and which is connected to a displacement device. The heave compensating member includes a compensator arm with a pivot end pivotally connected to a pivot point on the vessel at a predetermined transverse distance from the lifting trajectory, the cable guide element being attached to a free end of the compensator arm at or near the lifting trajectory, guiding the lifting cable in the direction of the pivot point, the arm being at or near the free end connected to the displacement device.

Abstract: A pontoon boat includes a cover assembly. A front cover section has a front cover area defined by a perimeter thereof and is slidable relative to the central cover section between a retracted position and an extended position. An aft cover section has an aft cover area defined by a perimeter thereof and is slidable relative to the central cover section between a retracted position and an extended position. When in the extended position, the cover assembly defines a perimeter having a length dimension and a width dimension generally matching the length and width dimensions of the perimeter defined by the pontoon's sidewalls. The cover assembly is vertically movable between an up position where the cover assembly is elevated above head level, and a down position where the cover assembly is positioned on the sidewalls to cover an area inside the perimeter defined by the sidewalls.

Abstract: A propulsor and control system for an underwater vehicle having annular fore and aft circumferential shrouds surrounding the hull. The fore and aft circumferential shrouds form respective fore and aft circumferential shroud gaps between the fore and aft circumferential shrouds and the hull. Fore and aft propulsor blades are situated substantially or completely within the fore and aft circumferential shroud gaps; the blades counter-rotate in one preferred embodiment. The fore or aft circumferential ring propulsors can have front control vanes located in front of the respective propulsors blade sets, and back control vanes located behind the respective propulsors to control the direction of the flow of water in order to maneuver the underwater vehicle.