Abstract: An ocean going vessel with interchangeable superstructure and hull in which the superstructure has control units for controlling propulsion and steering, as well as components for communication and navigation. The superstructure and the hull each have an interface providing quick connect and disconnect capability between the control units of the superstructure and the components being controlled of the hull. A system for interchanging superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels is enabled in which the superstructure of an inbound vessel is removed and transferred to an outbound hull with the use of a crane at the port facility. This facilitates quick turnaround time of the superstructure and crew of the inbound vessel. This also enables inbound ship hulls to be inspected without delaying the outbound hull that has been preloaded from being shipped out of port with the transferred superstructure.

Abstract: A propeller for a boat includes a propeller shaft having a shaft hole, a shaft sleeve mounted in the shaft hole of the propeller shaft and provided with a metal core with a through hole for insertion of a driving shaft of the boat, and a shock-absorbing member covering an outer surface of the metal and having an outer surface contacted with an inner surface of the propeller shaft that surrounds the shaft hole; and a lock unit mounted on the driving shaft for fixing the driving shaft in the through hole of the shaft sleeve, so that the propeller is rotatable by the driving shaft. When the propeller bumps hard things during rotation to result in vibration to the propeller, the shock-absorbing member can absorb the vibration so as to protect the driving shaft from damage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mooring system comprising a hydrocarbon storage and/or processing unit (1) anchored to or resting on the sea bed (2) at an off shore location, and a vessel (13) moored alongside the storage and/or processing unit (1), the storage and/or processing unit (1) comprising a hull and in a front part (26) and in a rear part (25) of the unit at least one support structure (7, 7?) and with another end to a quay member (10, 10?) suspended from the suspension member with one end attached to the support structure (7, 7?) and with another end to a quay member (10, 10?) suspended from the suspension member, the quay member (10, 10?) comprising a shock-absorber contacting the vessel.

Abstract: A bowsprit or davit assembly is for raising and lowering, and for firmly securing, an anchor. The assembly includes an elongate frame member, of a substantial U-shape in cross-section, adapted to be mounted on a surface (deck of a vessel), the frame member including respective front and rear U-shaped sections, wherein the front section includes respective first and second rotatable rollers for receiving and guiding a rope or cable, the rotatable rollers being displaced from one another in both the vertical and horizontal directions. An elongate member extends between opposed wall members of the front section, at or in the vicinity of the uppermost free edges thereof. Opposed flaps extend laterally normal of the outermost free end of opposed wall members of the front section.

Abstract: An automatic speed control system that provides desired watercraft velocity over land. The coupled algorithms correct engine speed and torque using inertia based measurements, GPS, and tachometer measurements, and the corrections are augmented and enhanced by velocity/speed and torque/speed relationships that are dynamically and adaptively programmed with real-time data collected during replicated operations of the watercraft in specified conditions.

Abstract: Improved boat bumper assemblies are provided which include upright, rotatable, synthetic resin rollers rotatably mounted on stationary uprights located adjacent the sides of a boat slip. In one form, the bumper assemblies are mounted either as original equipment or as retrofits directly onto roof-supporting stanchions of a boat mooring structure; alternately, standoff bumper assemblies may be used, having rollers rotatable on uprights and supported by spring-biased, resilient connection structures.

Abstract: An adjustable surfboard fin inserted and secured into a groove-like securing member buried in a bottom of a surfboard, wherein an inserted portion is made of an elastic member and divided into two pieces in a thickness direction of the adjustable surfboard fin, thereby enabling a slit formed between the two pieces to be adjustable by a setscrew is provided.

Abstract: A floating dock for supporting a personal watercraft out of the water when not in use. The floating dock comprises an elongate platform having a recess on its upper surface. The recess is shaped to receive the hull of the personal watercraft and has a forward wall portion for engaging the bow of the hull. A rub-rail post extends upwardly from the upper surface of the platform, forward of the recess, to engage the rub-rail of the personal watercraft in the event that the personal watercraft is moved too far into the recess, thereby preventing the personal watercraft from riding up and over the floating dock. In one embodiment, the platform is a unitary structure formed in a rotational molding process and includes inserts molded therewith to facilitate securing accessories to the platform.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air scoop device for installation on a windshield header member of an open top vehicle, for example, convertible cars, water boats, water crafts and the like. The air scoop device has a scoop body configuring a hollow interior space capable of receiving air through a first area into the hollow interior space and directing the air out of the hollow interior space through a second area towards a foot-well area of the open top vehicle.

Abstract: A boat can have a propulsion unit connected to a rear surface of a transom plate of a hull. The propulsion unit can have a propeller for producing thrust, a power device for driving the propeller, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power from the power device to the propeller. The propulsion unit can also include a braking device configured to exert a generally vertical upward force on the propulsion unit during a braking operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel and non-obvious propulsion system for watercraft, especially, but not limited to, watercraft less than about 50 feet in length. Propulsion system of the present invention provides a system that is less prone to being impeded by debris, water plants and the like; less likely to cause motor stalling or motor over heating if said propulsion system does become clogged or impeded and is designed to provide increased thrust resulting in, for example, more efficient operation.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a cooling system for a stern drive, including: a conduit having a water outlet for discharging ambient water, which is introduced by using a water current generated by propulsion of a boat to which said stern drive is mounted, the water outlet being directed toward a side wall of a housing containing a gear and a clutch where heat is generated, at a location near the gear and the clutch; and a cover removably attachable to the housing, the conduit being contained between the cover and the housing, the cover defining a space to which water is discharged from the water outlet and a drain section for draining the water.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy comprises two floats movable relative to one another in response to passing surface waves. Both floats comprise expandable outer envelopes which have been expanded into full and firm shape. In one process, expansion is obtained by filling the floats with fluids, for example, air and water. The fluids can be pumped into the floats, or the floats can be mechanically expanded in the presence of the fluids for self filling owing to pressure differentials. In one embodiment, a float envelope can comprise of plurality of end to end connected length sections in nested or telescoped relationship. Expansion is obtained by pulling the telescoped sections out from one and other, for example, by pumping fluids into the telescoped sections.

Abstract: Device for connecting an anchor line to an anchor, which anchor has a fluke and according to a direction of penetration can penetrate into an anchoring ground by exerting a tensile force on the anchor line, wherein the device is provided with an attachment means for attachment of an anchor line to the device and at least two attachment means for attachment of two fluke-anchor line connection elements which at locations that are spaced apart in a forward direction of penetration are attached to the fluke, wherein at least one of the attachment means is adapted for release by swinging the anchor line with respect to the device.

Abstract: A watercraft propulsion system has a control lever for giving instructions regarding operating mode and output power from a source of driving force. A controller sets a propeller driving mode according to instructions given from the control lever. In an embodiment, an electric motor and an engine are included in the propulsion system, and the controller simultaneously controls both the engine and motor based on inputs from the control lever and sensed conditions.

Abstract: A Support frame for tarpaulin for use over boats in storage uses easy to assemble tube elements that are easily attached together without the use of tools in order to create a structure that allows for the laying of a tarpaulin.

Abstract: An outboard motor adapted to be mounted on a stern of a boat and having a propeller to propel the boat, a power source which produces rotational output, a drive unit including a vertical shaft which transmits the rotational output of the power source to the propeller through a gear mechanism, and an interlock unit which detachably interlocks the power source to the drive unit. The changeable power source includes one of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and a combination of the engine and the motor. The interlock unit interlocks one of the engine, the motor and the combination of the engine and the motor to the drive unit as the power source for propelling the boat, thereby enabling to freely change its power source as desired in accordance with a user's current needs and purposes.

Abstract: A shift system for outboard motors, which is reduced in size, and is capable securing compatibility with an outboard motor of a type for which the shift operation is manually performed using a shift cable. A motor-driven shift actuator is disposed at a location forward of and to the right of an engine within an engine cover covering the engine. A clutch motor is provided for the actuator and disposed at a location rearward thereof, with a motor output shaft disposed in a manner extending forward, and is operated in response to the detected vessel operator's shift. An actuator output shaft is disposed at a location forward of the clutch motor and extends downward from a front part of the actuator. The actuator output shaft rotates in accordance with rotation of the motor output shaft. A clutch shaft is disposed below the actuator and rearward of the actuator output shaft.

Abstract: A tank is provided that reduces sloshing pressures in the corner sections of a tank, such as an LNG membrane tank. The tank includes a sloshing impact reduction system placed in selected corner sections within the tank. The system serves as a slosh attenuation system, and reduces the severity of the corner geometry and improves the flow of fluids into the tank corner. In one embodiment, an impermeable structure is disposed in an internal corner section of the tank. The impermeable structure may be a triangular planar surface, or a non-planar structural surface. The non-planar structural surface may be a concave surface or other curved surface. In another arrangement, a permeable structure is placed in an internal corner section of the tank. Such a permeable structure would enable fluid to pass through the device, but would reduce the fluid velocities and accelerations via friction or eddies. The permeable structure may be either rigid or flexible.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting external devices to specified locations on a marine seismic streamer. Inner collars are clamped to the cable at specified locations along its length. Each inner collar forms a circular race encircling the cable. An outer collar attached to an external device rotatably receives the inner collar and the encircled streamer in its bore to allow the streamer to rotate freely within the outer collar relative to the external device. The outer collar has an inner face bounding and defining the shape of the bore. The inner face is tapered from an intermediate position outward toward front and rear edges of the outer collar to form a bore that is wider at the front and rear edges than at the intermediate position. This flaring out of the bore provides the streamer three degrees of angular freedom to position itself within the bore.