Abstract: There is disclosed a modular mooring buoy system comprising: a buoyant body having an associated controller unit, the buoyant body being formed with at least one outwardly opening recess (131); and at least one modular unit (200) removably received by the at least one recess (131) in a watertight manner to enable operative communication between the controller unit and the at least one modular unit (200).

Abstract: A cover device for at least partially closing an underwater opening in a hull of a watercraft includes a variable-volume hollow-chamber lip assembly including at least two hollow-chamber lips and one buoyancy body. The at least one hollow-chamber lip is volume-variable by supplying a fluid to or removing a fluid from an interior thereof, and the at least one hollow-chamber lip assembly is shiftable between an expanded state and a contracted state by supplying or removing the fluid.

Abstract: A wearable graduated-buoyancy swimming float apparatus for use by people learning to swim.

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 marine engine comprises a powerhead having an engine block, a cylinder head and a crankcase containing a crankshaft. Operation of the marine engine causes rotation of the crankshaft. A crankcase cover encloses the crankshaft in the crankcase. A supercharger is on the crankcase cover, the supercharger being configured to provide charge air for combustion in the powerhead. The supercharger comprises a charge air outlet for conveying charge air from the supercharger for combustion in the powerhead, the charge air outlet being oriented so as to discharge the charge air towards the powerhead.

Abstract: An amphibious pumping vehicle has a floatable vehicle body, a ground engaging propulsion structure, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid nozzles comprising a first fluid nozzle connected by a fluid conduit to the fluid pump and at least one second fluid nozzle connected to the fluid conduit, a valve structure in the fluid conduit, the plurality of fluid nozzles and the valve structure co-operating to provide directional control and motive power for the vehicle when floating, and a power source configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump.

Abstract: A cruise or race boat sail able to create a straightening effect on the hull that is able to be configured, when used, to take the attitude, with at least a first portion having a first curvature, and at least a second portion having a second curvature, opposed with respect to the first one, where the second portion is the upper portion of the sail and includes at least two superimposed skins that can take different attitudes according to profiles having different curvatures.

Abstract: A liferaft system comprises a container for storing a liferaft, and at least one sheet of material for fitting over an exterior surface of the liferaft container and configured to heat an interior volume of the liferaft container.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for controlling movement of a propeller shaft on a vessel. A controller includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the controller to detect movement of the propeller shaft by determining a signature of a sustained oscillation of the propeller shaft. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the controller to control movement of the propeller shaft according to the determined signature.

Abstract: A system, methods and apparatus for powered monofin that propels a swimmer through water uses one of two modes of power: 1. An electric-assist mode, in which the propulsor responds to a swimmer's kick by multiplying the work of the swimmer; 2. Inverse mode, in which the propulsor deactivates when the swimmer is working. In this mode, propulsion is inversely related to the work of the swimmer. As the swimmer does more work, power from the monofin is reduced, to a predetermined, average level of propulsion. As the swimmer does less work propulsion increases to the predetermined level.

Abstract: A wheel suspension and retraction apparatus (2) for an amphibious vehicle comprises a suspension unit having transverse upper and lower suspension links (4, 8); spring and damper unit (12), and suspension upright (6) supporting wheel (10), and pivotally connected to outboard ends of links (4 and 8). The wheel retraction mechanism has a retraction linkage (14, 16, 18), pivotably connectable to the vehicle, and an actuator (38) for moving the wheel suspension between a protracted position for land use and a retracted position for use on water. The retraction mechanism supports the suspension unit spaced apart transversely from the vehicle. Tie bar (16) is connected to upper retraction arm (14) at an intermediate location (30) to ensure a large angle of tilt on retraction, to ensure that the wheel is retracted above hull line (156). The wheel suspension does not have to be compressed on retraction.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide cycle power generation system includes a first carbon dioxide storage configured to store a first portion of carbon dioxide and a second carbon dioxide storage configured to store a second portion of the carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide cycle power generation system also includes a generator configured to generate electrical power based on a flow of at least part of the carbon dioxide between the first and second carbon dioxide storages. The carbon dioxide cycle power generation system is configured to cycle between different underwater depths in order to employ water pressure and/or water temperature in creating the flow of the at least part of the carbon dioxide through the generator. The second carbon dioxide storage includes an annular region surrounding a central region, where the annular region has a variable internal volume configured to receive at least part of the second portion of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An inflatable water-based motorised device docking station is described. The inflatable water-based motorised device docking station includes an inflatable tube configurable to form an open ended area to receive a water-based motorised device; a floor area coupled to a portion of the inflatable tube; and a ballast bag with dump attached to the floor area and configured to stabilise the inflatable water-based motorised device docking station.

Abstract: A rope guide apparatus to assist with mooring a vessel comprises an elongate pole and a length of rope. The length of rope is slidably retained by the elongate pole at a first point of retention adjacent a first end of the pole. The rope extends from the first point of retention towards a second end of the pole where it is slidably retained by the pole at a second point of retention adjacent the second end. The rope extends from the second end of the pole back towards the first end and is slidably retained at a third point of retention, with the rope extending freely from the pole. This apparatus allows easier one-person mooring of a vessel by looping the rope over a bollard and avoids the need for the individual to lean out of a vessel when attempting to moor at a distance.

Abstract: Networkable digital life jackets and associated methods are disclosed. An example life jacket includes a state manager and a swarm manager. The state manager is configured to selectively operate the life jacket in one of multiple operational states of the life jacket based on data obtained from one or more sensors of the life jacket. The swarm manager is configured to form a swarm network including the life jacket and one or more other life jackets.

Abstract: A saddle for an aquatic board is disclosed. The saddle is equipped with a strap or straps and/or edge wise clamps, or other suitably firm fastener, to engage and maintain position on the aquatic board positioned beneath the saddle. A user can then stand on the board and squeeze the saddle between their knees and ankles and maintain an enhanced balance on the board or, if fatigued, can sit or kneel alongside or on the saddle and paddle/ride from a seated or kneeling position. The saddle may be inflatable or solid and may include an inner void for storage for personal effects or equipment. The saddle may further include a speaker, cup holder, handles, or other optional features.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: A cockpit extension that extends aft of a boat transom for increasing the afterdeck area of the boat. The cockpit extension includes a deck that can be accessed from the afterdeck of the boat and an under-face beneath the deck that can be above or below the water-line of the boat. The cockpit extension can also include one or more of a gunwale, inner bulkhead, and outer freeboard. A running surface can also be provided on the under-face that improves the backing down process of the boat. The boat has at least two outboard engines, attached on the port and starboard sides of the boat transom, respectively.

Abstract: A personal water craft includes a hull; a deck attached to, or integral with, the hull; a foot well having a foot well floor that is configured to receive a foot of a user of the personal water craft; and a drainage system configured to drain liquid from the foot well, the drainage system having a tube extending from the foot well floor to a location outside the hull.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resiliently flexible fin for a surfboard or another surface watercraft, the resiliently flexible fin comprising a titanium or titanium alloy core and an opening in the trailing edge that enables a portion of the rear of the fin to resiliently flex against the force of water as the surfboard is turned, which can generate additional forward thrust for the surfboard as the surfboard exits the turn and the fin returns to its unflexed state displacing water in its path with force.