Abstract: A robotic eel may comprise a plurality of torque reaction engines, an inertial mass, and a fin. Each of the plurality of torque reaction engines oscillates an inertial mass about an axis, producing a torque reaction on and oscillation of an external shaft. Oscillation of the external shaft bends a beam of the robotic eel. Bending the beam of the robotic eel produces at least one of a traveling or a standing wave in the beam. The traveling wave may be communicated to a second torque reaction of the plurality of torque reaction engines and to the fin, producing thrust.

Abstract: A boat includes at least three trim devices positioned aft of the boat's transom. To improve the boat's ability to get on place, each trim device is initially positioned to a deployed position. The speed of the boat is then determined as the boat gains speed. When the speed of the boat exceeds a first predetermined threshold, the first trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a second predetermined threshold, the second trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. When the speed of the boat exceeds a third predetermined threshold, the third trim device is moved from the deployed position to a non-deployed position. At least one of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds is different from the other two of the first, second, and third predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: A novel rotatable hull that generally includes a hull that is capable of rotating around an attachment point where it is connected to a vessel. In preferred embodiments, an outdoor motor mounted to the rotatable hull will turn to vector thrust and apply a moment to rotate the hull around a nominally vertical axis where the hull connects to the vessel. The invention also is directed to a vessel, which employs a plurality of rotatable hulls. A plurality of rotatable hulls can be arranged into a tripod, square or other stable geometric configuration and connected by a structure to form a vessel that can move in any direction along the plane of the surface of the water with or without changing the yaw axis orientation of the connecting structure. This may be useful in applications such as catching objects that are descending from the sky.

Abstract: Disclosed are an extendable and retractable fairing for a container ship and a control method thereof. The extendable and retractable fairing includes a controller, a support skeleton, a wind velocity detector, a first flexible deflector, second and third flexible deflectors, and accommodation mechanisms. The third flexible deflectors are sequentially arranged between the first and second flexible deflectors; the support skeleton includes guide-track grooves; the second and third flexible deflectors each are slidably provided in a corresponding guide-track groove; the accommodation mechanisms each include an accommodation winding tube and a drive motor; the accommodation winding tube is provided at one side of a deck at the bow; the drive motor is connected to the accommodation winding tube; the wind velocity detector is provided on the first flexible deflector; and the second and third flexible deflectors each are provided in the accommodation winding tube.

Abstract: A drainage device for directing fluid away from a thru-hull fitting located on a hull of a vessel includes: a channel body mountable proximate to and extendable away from the hull of the vessel; a groove formed along at least a partial length of the thru-hull body; and a lip protruding from a bottom edge of the channel body at an end of the channel body that is distal from the hull of the vessel when the drainage device is mounted thereon.

Abstract: An articulating top having a frame, a cover attached to the frame and a mounting bracket to attach the frame to a vehicle can be moved between a deployed position to provide shelter to an area below the top and a stowed position. The frame having main and secondary frame members in addition to one or more struts between a frame member and the vehicle to provide additional support to the frame such that the top can be used while the vehicle is in motion or in windy conditions. The top may also use one or more braces.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manoeuvring system comprising at least one unit comprising a channel having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one water intake opening, at least one water nozzle arranged within the channel and configured to guide a water flow through the at least one water intake opening at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis and in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the Earth's normal, at least one piping connected to the channel at a first end and connected to the at least one water nozzle at a second end, and at least one pump arranged between the first end and the second end and configured to control a water flow through the at least one water nozzle.

Abstract: An underwater watercraft including a passenger compartment and an ingress/egress port in which the watercraft has buoyancy and center of gravity adjusted to maintain a generally level or other desired attitude when submerged, and an optionally angled attitude at a water surface for ingress/egress. The attitude is also adjustable via the placement of ballast and optionally including a movable ballast that adjusts the location of the center of gravity as desired. The ingress-egress port optionally includes an entry elevated from a main passenger compartment and including a riser and optionally removable or concealable handrails. The ingress-egress port has an angled orientation in a submerged mode, and an optional orientation generally parallel to the water surface or angled but above the surface in a surface mode.

Abstract: A float (1) suitable for use as a buoy or as a component for a wave-powered vehicle. The float (1) includes an upper member (12) whose height can be changed and/or which remained substantially vertical even when the float is in wave-bearing water. A low drag cable (2) suitable for use as a tether in a wave-powered vehicle has a streamlined cross-section and includes a tensile member (21) near the front of the cross-section, at least one non-load-bearing member (22) behind the tensile member, and a polymeric jacket (23).

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing coverings and related support structures are provided. In various embodiments, methods and systems of the disclosure are suitable for and well adapted for use with small watercraft such as rafts. Methods and systems of the present disclosure provide a means for quick and easy assembly and disassembly of shadings and coverings as well as convenient storage.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a deck, a hull supporting the deck, and a barrier structure. The barrier structure includes: a frame connected to at least one of the deck and the hull and at least partially surrounding a portion of the deck; and a pliable sheet wall connected to the frame. The frame includes an upper portion including a rail for grabbing by a user's hand; and a lower portion connected to the at least one of the deck and the hull. The lower portion and the upper portion are connected to one another. The pliable sheet wall is stretched across at least a portion of the frame so as to extend between the upper and lower portions of the frame. A barrier structure is also contemplated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices adapted to enhance propulsion (i.e., propulsion enhancing devices) of watercraft such as, for example, personal watercraft and the like. To this end, a propulsion enhancing device in accordance with the disclosures made herein may be attached to or integral with (e.g., formed unitarily with a housing thereof) a propulsion unit of a watercraft. The propulsion unit generates a stream of water that provides for propulsion of the watercraft. A propulsion enhancing device in accordance with the disclosures made herein includes internal structures that enhance velocity and/or volumetric attributes of a stream of water generated by the propulsion unit by transforming non rotational flow at the inlet of the propulsion enhancing device to rotational flow at the outlet of the propulsion enhancing device.

Abstract: A marine vessel maneuvering system includes a propulsion device, a steering device, a forward/reverse drive switch, a steering wheel, a forward drive operator, a reverse drive operator, and a controller. The forward drive operator and the reverse drive operator are respectively located on one and the other sides of a pivot axis of the steering wheel, and are pivotable together with the steering wheel. The controller performs a forward drive propulsion control and a reverse drive propulsion control to set the propulsive force direction and control a magnitude of the propulsive force according to the operation of the forward drive operator and the reverse drive operator. The controller enables the forward drive propulsion control in a forward drive operation valid range. The controller enables the reverse drive propulsion control in a reverse drive operation valid range.

Abstract: Boat hunting blind for use on hunting boat for water-based waterfowl hunting including blind side panel and blind top panel. Blind side panel includes front panel, end panel mounted to front panel and rear panel mounted to end panel. Front panel and rear panel include legs having blind collapsing mechanism having spring mounted to corner bracket connecting the front panel, end panel and rear panel for allowing legs to collapse and stand in collapsed position and upright position. Blind top panel includes front top panel and rear top panel pivotally mounted to center brackets mounted to end panel. Boat hunting blind includes skirt suspended from blind side panel enveloping the blind side panel for camouflaging hunter, and blind top mounted over blind top panel for concealing hunter from above. Front top panel or rear top panel including blind top is thrown back providing open top for hunter to shoot waterfowl.

Abstract: Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to permit the accurate reproduction of a wake behind a wakeboat. The onboard wake control system receives data from a draft measuring system. Incorporation of the data from the draft measuring system permits accurate reproduction of a wake behind the wakeboat after a change in an onboard variable such as the number, weight or position of passengers, the weight or position of cargo and the position of trim tabs or amount/location of ballast.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a monocoque body for an unmanned underwater vehicle (“UUV”) comprising a nose portion, a tail portion, a body interior surface, a body exterior surface. The monocoque body can be a one-piece structural shell made of fiber reinforced polymer. The UUV may further include transverse structural members.

Abstract: A boat wind and spray protection device which includes at least one panel joined to a coupler-hinge-actuator that is capable of being fixed in relation to a boat. For center console boats, a set of two panels, located on either side of the console of the boat, are designed to open from a position generally parallel and adjacent to the console sides, to an angle and distance sufficient to provide improved passenger protection from wind and spray. The panels may be powered electronically by control buttons that operate electronic actuators, that in turn power the movement of the panels between generally closed to generally open positions, as well as intermediate positions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inflatable watercraft barrier in one example having an inflatable perimeter tube. Also disclosed is a diaphragm sealed to the perimeter tube to form the watercraft barrier between a watercraft and the water in which the watercraft barrier and watercraft float. In one example, a portion of the perimeter tube forms a gate portion which is at least partially selectively deflated so as to be denser than water, and therefore rotates about a gate pivot such that the watercraft may enter the watercraft barrier through the gate portion. Also disclosed is a water pump in fluid communication with the watercraft barrier so as to evacuate water from between the watercraft barrier and the watercraft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for underwater exploration using a submerged device towed by a surface vessel, the submerged device being connected to the vessel by a towing line and including equipment supplied by the electricity, characterized in that the submerged device includes at least one device for the local production of electrical energy, the device being an electric hydrogenerator and in that the towing line has no electrical supply cable connecting the vessel to the submerged device.

Abstract: A method of controlling attitude of a marine vessel includes identifying a natural roll frequency of the marine vessel, measuring a roll motion of the marine vessel with an attitude sensor, and then determining that the roll motion exceeds the threshold roll where no corresponding steering input is present. The method further includes determining a counteracting drive movement for at least one propulsion device based on the measured roll motion and the natural roll frequency of the marine vessel. A steering actuator is then controlled to move the at least one propulsion device to effectuate the counteracting drive movement so as to counteract an environmentally-induced roll motion of the marine vessel.