Abstract: A barge with an open bottom well at the stern for receiving a tug for propelling the barge further includes a flexible seal which extends rearwardly into the open bottom of the well to engage the bottom portion of a tug propelling the barge to close the bottom of the tug recess well and reduce or eliminate hydrodynamic water resistance within the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transmittal of thrust from a powered watercraft having a ship-shaped bow to a powerless cargo-carrying watercraft having a bifurcated stern and a recessed well defined thereby may be fabricated from an elongated thrust transmitting apparatus horizontally mounted to the bow of the powered watercraft, complementary retaining apparatus mounted to the powerless watercraft within the recessed well and adjustable coupling apparatus mounted between the two watercraft in the proximity of the thrust transmitting apparatus and the complementary retaining apparatus for holding the thrust transmitting in retaining contact with the complementary retaining apparatus such that a horizontal pivotal axis, substantially transverse to the length of the two watercrafts is formed between the thrust transmitting apparatus and the complementary retaining apparatus.