Abstract: A sea survival device (1) comprising a container (2) with several shells (3, 4) enclosing respective pneumatic liferafts (5, 6) in the deflated and folded-up state, and inflation means; one half-shell (4) enclosing a liferaft (6) is closed by a closure partition (7); the automatically triggered inflation means are operationally associated with at least the first liferaft (5) in a manner such that said first liferaft (5) is inflated first when the survival device (1) is deployed operationally; and the liferaft (6) is operationally associated with inflation trigger means suitable for trigging inflation thereof only once the first liferaft (5) is inflated.

Abstract: An outboard motor is provided that can include an exhaust guide, a shift shaft, a shift shaft rotating mechanism, and a shifting mechanism. The exhaust guide, on which an engine can be mounted, can be utilized to fix the relative positions of an axis of the shift shaft and a body of the shift shaft rotating mechanism for facilitating highly accurate and well-executed shifting of a propeller to or from one of forward and reverse rotating directions. The shift shaft can be rotatably supported by the exhaust guide, and the shift shaft rotating mechanism can be fixed to the exhaust guide. Further, the shift shaft rotating mechanism can be configured to selectively rotate the shift shaft.

Abstract: A marine outboard engine for a watercraft is disclosed. The marine outboard engine includes a starter motor operatively connected to the crankshaft of the engine and a capacitor electrically connected to the starter motor. The capacitor is powering the starter motor to initiate rotation of the crankshaft. An alternator is operatively connected to the engine and is electrically connected to the capacitor for charging the capacitor when the engine is operating. A starting system and a method for operating a starting system of a marine outboard engine are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an irregular in shape thru-hull fitting with specifically an internal seacock which is below the normal waterline of a marine vessel and this invention provides an exterior plug to stop leakage and/or allow for maintenance of the interior hull valve, piping, and/or associated tubing without necessitating the need to haul out the vessel. The seacock plug includes a flexible tubing assembly; o-ring flange assembly, flexible beveled gasket, and compression lead screw with T-handle that forms a watertight seal around the irregular interior shape hull fitting.

Abstract: Provided is a profiling float that can minutely and surely control effective buoyancy acting on the float in itself, and usage of the profiling float. The profiling float according to the present invention is equipped with a float chamber forming an airtight internal space, a fluid storage part provided in the float chamber and storing a fluid for control of buoyancy, a bladder provided at the exterior of the float chamber, in the interior of which the fluid for control of buoyancy is filled to change a volume thereof, thereby controlling buoyancy acting on the profiling float, a pump mechanism for transferring the fluid for control of buoyancy between the bladder and the fluid storage part, and a driving source for driving the pump mechanism, wherein the pump mechanism is composed of a gear pump.

Abstract: A rub rail for a boat, and methods of manufacturing and installing the rub rail on the boat are provided. The rub rail includes a base polymer and a metal trim embedded or integrated into the base. The metal trim can be made of stainless steel to maximize aesthetic appearance. The metal trim and base polymer are combined during an extrusion process such that substantially no gaps are formed between the metal trim and base. The base polymer optionally can include a non-visible body portion made of recycled material. The rub rail is formed as a single piece which can be installed easily by screws or adhesive tape to a boat.

Abstract: A tiller arm pivotably mountable to a marine outboard engine about a pivot axis is described. First and second arms extend away from the pivot axis. A middle portion has a first end attached to the first and second arms. A handle portion extends away from the second end of the middle portion in a direction away from the pivot axis. A throttle grip is rotatably mounted to the handle portion and rotatable with respect thereto about a throttle grip axis generally perpendicular to the pivot axis. The throttle grip is operatively connectable to the marine outboard engine. The width of an aperture defined by the arms and the middle section is greater than the widths of the throttle grip and the first and second arms.

Abstract: The swimmer's safety apparatus is worn around a user's waist or proximal thereto and is selectively inflated. The apparatus has a small rigid case with spaced apart rigid housings, each rigid housing holding an inflation device with compressed gas therein. Upon selection, each inflation device is separately released and inflated via a separate rotating handle for each. The compact device is provided in embodiments which can be attached to clothing, included in clothing, or worn about the waist in either attachment fashion or included with an optional belt.

Abstract: An outboard motor control system can have a first PTT switch and a second PTT switch in a first steering station and in a second steering station respectively, and a third PTT switch in a location outside of a boat hull. Operation instruction given by each PTT switch can be input to a first microcomputer of a first ECU. The first microcomputer can determine if the inputted operation instruction is to be sent to the outboard motor, based on which PTT switch the operation instruction came from, whether the main switch is ON or OFF, and which steering station has precedence in boat control.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a submersible housing and a propulsion mechanism, which is coupled to drive the housing over an interior surface of a container in which the housing is submerged. A hollow tube is fixed to the housing and is configured to be filled with a fluid having a first specific gravity. One or more objects, which have a second specific gravity that is less than the first specific gravity, are contained within and capable of moving inside the hollow tube so as to stabilize the housing in response to changes of an angle of the interior surface over which the vehicle travels.

Abstract: A foreship arrangement for a vessel of the displacement type. The foreship consists of the part of the ship in front of the vessel's midship mark and the vessel has a transversely symmetrical hull form about its center line and a substantially conventional bow form below its design water line, characterized in that the stem line of the vessel turns substantially backwards in relation to the length direction of the ship from a transition point at or immediately above the design water line.

Abstract: Computer-implemented techniques via a computer network for allowing freight industry participants, including shippers, forwarders, carriers, and market makers to securely and conveniently trade in freight capacity, which is destined to be transported via a plurality of transportation modes, are disclosed. Trading is enhanced by providing user-appropriate forecast data and rating data to traders, while various data display restrictions are imposed to achieve security and to respect the confidentiality needs of the freight industry participants.

Abstract: A foot strap and recreational sports board that allows the user to easily tension a foot strap over the top of his or her foot. The foot strap, attached to the board, includes a strap, a cable, and a cable adjuster. The strap has separate first and second sides connected by the cable cinched and uncinched together as the cable is tightened and loosened by the cable adjuster with which it is engaged. A single cable adjuster and cable can be employed to simultaneously adjust two straps, both attached to the sports board. A pull may be included to facilitate exercise of the cable adjuster.

Abstract: A thruster unit for generating side thrust for improved maneuverability of a marine vessel employs a peripherally-driven propeller situated below the waterline and remotely powered by a motor situated above the waterline via a flexible drive member. The propeller is supported by a rolling element bearing disposed circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the propeller providing both axial and radial support. The lower portion disposed for submerged operation has a substantially thin cross section with a narrow thickness aligned transversely to the vessel to operate hydro-dynamically while the vessel is underway. This makes it possible for the present invention to remain in the operating position indefinitely even while the vessel is in motion without risking a structural damage.

Abstract: The system is an enclosed, oil filled, shaft and thrust bearing assembly which includes an oil pump to circulate the oil throughout the system. The thrust bearing assembly allows the thrust to be directed to the shafts mounting system rather than through the vessels main propulsion engines and isolators thereby reducing vibration and noise emissions. In addition the elimination of thrust loading transmitted directly to the propulsion engines reduces wear and tear on the engine mounts, isolators and engine support structures. The non rotating casing of the shaft assembly allows clean water to flow to the propeller which allows more delivered horsepower to be used by the propeller.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a boat cover to a boat is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated member defining a first leg and a second leg. A plurality of notches are defined in the first leg of the elongated member. A flexible cover is affixed to the second leg of the elongated member along at least one edge. A guide is affixable to a deck of a boat. The guide defines at least one securement groove therein. The securement groove accepts the second leg of the elongated member therein.

Abstract: A method for controlling a marine vessel having first and second steering nozzles and first and second trim deflectors comprises generating at least a first set of actuator control signals and a second set of actuator control signals. The first set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second steering nozzles, and the second set of actuator control signals is coupled to and controls the first and second trim deflectors. The acts of generating and coupling the first set of actuator control signals and the second set of actuator control signals result in inducing any of a net yawing force, a net rolling force, and a net trimming force to the marine vessel without inducing any other substantial forces to the marine vessel by controlling the first and second steering nozzles and the first and second trim deflectors. Also disclosed is a system for controlling a marine vessel.

Abstract: In a personal watercraft equipped with a multi-cylinder engine including an exhaust collecting system configured to discharge an exhaust gas from the engine, the exhaust collecting system comprising a plurality of exhaust passages respectively corresponding to a plurality of cylinders provided in the multi-cylinder engine, an exhaust collecting passage which is located downstream of the plurality of exhaust passages in a flow direction of the exhaust gas and is configured to collect the plurality of exhaust passages, a water jacket formed at an outer peripheral region of each of the plurality of exhaust passages, for cooling the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust passages, and a connecting passage configured to connect at least two of the plurality of exhaust passages.

Abstract: A device for modifying a hull of a floating body of a floating vehicle or floating bridge, having a base floating body, with an upper surface forming a principal rolling path, and first and second lateral surfaces. On each side of the base floating body, a first movable wall which is mounted so that it pivots on a lower part of the corresponding lateral surface of the base floating body, a second movable wall is mounted so that it pivots on the first movable wall, and a third movable wall is mounted so that it pivots about the second movable wall The three movable walls are arranged with respect to each other so that, in a folded position, the first movable wall is essentially parallel to the first lateral surface of the base floating body, and the second and third movable walls partially cover the upper surface of the base floating body.

Abstract: An outboard motor S has a first drive shaft 31 directly interlocked with an engine E, a second drive shaft 32, an intermediate gear mechanism 33 interlocking the first drive shaft 31 and the second drive shaft 32, an output gear mechanism 50 driven by power transmitted thereto through the second drive shaft 32, a propeller shaft 17 driven for rotation by power transmitted thereto through the output gear mechanism 50, and a gear case 13 holding the output gear mechanism 50. The second drive shaft 32 extends downward beyond a vertical position corresponding to the lower end of the first drive shaft 31. The gear case 13 is provided with water intakes 98 through which a water pump 90 sucks water in a space between the first drive shaft 31 and the output gear mechanism 50 with respect to a vertical direction on the front side of the second drive shaft 32. The space for the water intakes 98 can be easily secured because the second drive shaft 32 is disposed on the rear side of the first drive shaft 31.