Abstract: A marine propulsion system having a steering axis that allows pivoting of propellers along a first vertical axis directly beneath a gear box located inside the hull of a boat. A lower gear box can be placed within a vented or non-vented tunnel eliminating the need for a rudder and providing directional control of the boat by the orientation of the lower gear box. Surface piercing propellers and/or counter-rotating propellers may be used with the propellers pivoted around the vertical axis of the gear box. The offset steering axis allows pivoting around the first vertical axis wherein a secondary axis is moved with minimal drag providing superior maneuverability at both high and low speeds.

Abstract: A human powered watercraft or land vehicle is described herein. A watercraft or land vehicle may have two pedals that reciprocated are in a linear or slightly curved trajectory but not a circular motion. As the two pedals are reciprocated, an output shaft is rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction when the left pedal is pushed forward or when the right pedal is pushed forward. The output shaft may be connected to a propeller of a watercraft or a land vehicle so as to propel the watercraft or land vehicle forward. The output shaft may receive rotational input through two gears mounted to the output shaft with one-way bearings that enable the output shaft to rotate in the same direction regardless of whether the left pedal or the right pedal is being pushed forward.

Abstract: A two-section kayak is disclosed where a user can create a gap between a kayak front section and a kayak back section, and use this gap to enter and exit the water. Connecting poles are preferably used to create the gap and retain structural integrity of the kayak when the two sections are separated. A variety of foot stirrups and ladders are contemplated to allow a user to more easily reenter the kayak through the gap. One or more gap alcoves are contemplated to store a stirrup or ladder and to allow the user ready access to swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving accessories while in the gap. A viewing portal, and a hanging seat/platform are contemplated for attachment in the gap, to allow users a more varied kayaking experience. An optional third kayak section is contemplated to add storage space or turn a single kayak into a double kayak.

Abstract: A life raft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the life raft includes a flotation platform, a container and a ballast bag, the ballast bag being attached to the flotation platform and to the container. The container is configured to separate upon deployment of the life raft on a surface of a body of water and draw the ballast bag down into the body of water upon separation.

Abstract: An anchor has a fluke, a shank that is connected to the fluke, a coupling to attach the fluke to an anchor line or anchor chain, and an angle adjustment provision to adjust the angle between the shank and the fluke, wherein the angle adjustment provision is a hinge between the fluke and the shank, a first positioning member connected to the shank that is provided with a series of first positioning holes at a first intermediate distance and a second positioning member connected to the fluke that is provided with a series of second positioning holes at a second intermediate distance and spaced apart from the hinge axis, and a positioning pin that is inserted in one of the aligned first and second positioning holes, wherein the second intermediate distance differs from the first intermediate distance.

Abstract: An electric actuator comprises a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing. There is a screw assembly disposed within the housing and coupled to the output shaft. The screw assembly includes a plurality of annular rollers and a central screw received by the annular rollers. The annular rollers are rotatable about the central screw. There is a motor which includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor has an inner bore which engages the annular rollers. Rotation of the rotor causes the central screw to translate axially relative to the rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing.

Abstract: A locking system for assisting and supporting actuators of a trim-tab system, including a locking rod (20), slideable within a first slotted rod sleeve (28) into a locking dock within the sliding block (24). The invention further includes a second slotted rod sleeve (30) connected to a bottom side of the first slotted rod sleeve (28), a rotating rod (32) within second slotted rod sleeve (30) rotatable towards and away from the sliding block (24). The rotating rod (32) also contains a top driving rod (36) at one end, a bottom rotating rod (38) at an opposite end, and a perpendicular center driving rod (42) at the front-center side of the rotating rod (32). The center driving rod (42) moves the locking rod through contact with a thrusting rod (48). The sliding block (24) further contains a bottom contact rod (40) and a top contact rod (38).

Abstract: A tube guide assembly for mounting in a rod holder of a vessel. The rod holder has a depth from a cross member to a top surface. The assembly secures a mooring line to the vessel. The assembly includes a tube having a longitudinal axis and a base end dimensioned to be disposed in the rod holder to engage the cross member. The tube has a second end opposite the base end. The second end has a cleat to secure the mooring line. The tube has inverted J-shaped slots opposite one another to receive the cross member therein. A spring-loaded lock assembly is disposed in the tube. The lock assembly has a plunger to press against the cross member and lock the cross member in the J-shaped slots.

Abstract: A buoyant pool lounge chair frame and buoyant pool lounge chair using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair for supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a back frame and leg frame pivotally coupled thereto. Buoyant cushions are attached to the frame members to form a chair seat, a backrest, and a leg rest. A pair of rear pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies are coupled to the seat frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of recline of the back frame relative to the seat frame. Similarly, a pair of front pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies coupled to the leg frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of extension of the leg frame relative to the seat frame.

Abstract: A vessel propulsion apparatus includes an engine, an electric motor located farther forward than a propeller, a propeller shaft, a first transmission that defines a first transmission path extending from the engine to the propeller shaft to transmit power of the engine to the propeller shaft along the first transmission path, and a second transmission that defines a second transmission path, different from the first transmission path, extending from the electric motor to the propeller shaft to transmit power of the electric motor to the propeller shaft along the second transmission path.

Abstract: A submersible device (2) for deploying or retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the submersible device comprising: two or more platforms (130) arranged in a stack (3a, 3b), wherein each platform is configured to carry two or more of the AUVs; a port (300, 310); and a transfer mechanism (200) comprising a transfer device (210) arranged to load or unload the AUVs onto or from the platforms, and an actuator arranged to move the transfer device between the platforms and the port in order to transfer the AUVs between the platforms and the port.

Abstract: An outboard marine propulsion system with a closed loop lower unit heat exchanger is described. The closed loop lower unit heat exchanger provides improved cooling to outboard marine propulsion units and increases engine life compared with traditional open loop cooling systems, particularly in harsh environments such as salt water, brackish water, swamp, shallow or sediment and debris rich water. The closed loop lower unit heat exchanger also provides improved performance to the outboard marine propulsion system when mounted to an appropriate portion of the lower unit of the outboard marine engine such as the anti-cavitation plate.

Abstract: A drive for a boat, in particular a sailing boat, comprising an electric motor configured for the operation in the first quadrant and in the fourth quadrant, a propeller connected to the electric motor, and a control device. The control device is configured to operate the electric motor in the fourth quadrant in such a way that flow energy transmitted via the propeller to the electric motor is regenerated into electrical power. The control device is further configured to operate the electric motor such that a product of the propeller's pitch and rotational speed is smaller than a relative flow speed between the water and the drive.

Abstract: The invention has for object a system and a method for the realization of floating platforms formed by the aggregation of floating forms in reinforced concrete, the union set of the modules is made integral forming a single plate inserting and pulling special steel cables that cross the entire platform in sheaths arranged in the walls of the modules themselves, the pulled cables, locked in this position, compress the plate to increase resistance, the present method and system are also characterized by the fact that the quota of the platform does not vary with the tides and the loads to which it is subjected.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a personal flotation device that can be worn by a user includes an inflation system including an inflatable bladder and a gas-generating component, the gas-generating component being configured to generate gas using a chemical reaction and inject the generated gas into the bladder to inflate it, and an inflation control system configured to control activation of the gas-generating component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drilling tender unit. In particular, the invention relates to a drilling tender unit having a hull of trimaran or catamaran configuration.

Abstract: A vessel has a compartment (34) for containing water, which compartment (34) has at least one opening (31) in a wall (30) thereof for allowing water to pass therethrough. The compartment (34) comprises an assembly (1) of a grating (10) and at least one anti-biofouling source (20), the grating (10) being positioned in the opening (31) for blocking items from passing through the opening (31) along with the water, and comprising a number of elements and spaces between the elements, and the anti-biofouling source (20) being configured to emit ultraviolet light during operation thereof for realizing anti-biofouling of at least a portion of the grating (10). At least one of the elements of the grating (10) is at least partially transparent to the ultraviolet light, enabling a design of the assembly (1) in which anti-biofouling of the entire grating (10) may be guaranteed.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle according to some embodiments includes a vehicle body, a plurality of wheels disposed on each of both sides of the vehicle body, a crawler disposed on each of both sides of the vehicle body so as to surround the plurality of wheels, and one or more wheel covers mounted to an outer side or an inner side of at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels so as to cover a side surface of the wheel.

Abstract: A packaged inflatable life raft includes a non-inflated life raft and an enclosure around the non-inflated life raft. The enclosure includes a film with a first layer that is innermost toward the non-inflated life raft, a second layer outer from the first layer, a third layer outer from the second layer, and a fourth layer that is outermost from the non-inflated life raft. Additionally, the first layer includes a heat-sealable polymer selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, or a halogenated polymer. At least one of the second and third layers includes a metal foil or a polymer vapor barrier. At least one of the second, third, and fourth layers includes a polyester or polyamide. At least one of the first, second, third, and fourth layers includes a halogenated polymer, or a polymer composition comprising a halogenated or non-halogenated polymer and a fire retardant.

Abstract: An automatic wing control mechanism for sailing vessels is described. The automatic wing control mechanism adjusts a wing orientation with respect to the apparent wind to optimize its efficiency.