Abstract: This invention relates to a loading and unloading system in a ship wherein a transport car carrying weight cargo enters the ship from an opening in the gunwale via a ramp. The system comprises a lift table which permits the car to board, mechanisms for raising and lowering the lift table disposed at least at the four corners of the table, a ramp of which the near end is selectively supported on the lift table, sensors for detecting the tilt angle of the ramp and the horizontality of the lift table, and a controller for controlling the raising and lowering mechanisms so as to respectively maintain the tilt angle of the ramp and the horizontality of the lift table within set predetermined limits. The tilt of the ramp is thereby maintained within fixed limits irrespective of relative displacements of the ship's hull and the wharf so that the transport car always runs smoothly between the lift table and the wharf.

Abstract: An apparatus for stowing a pallet mounted with a cargo into a hold of a freight vessel, which comprises: two pairs of rails installed on a floor of a hold of a freight vessel in parallel with the center line of the freight vessel; at least two rows of pallet stands, for placing a pallet mounted with a cargo, provided at least outside each of the two pairs of rails; two carriages travellable on the two pairs of rails in synchronization with each other, a vertically moveble table provided each carriage; and a lifting mechanism of the table.

Abstract: The coupling mechanism comprises a pair of spaced connecting rods secured to the stern of a barge and apparatus mounted on the tug for receiving the connecting rods. The rod receiving apparatus comprises a pair of vertical circular disc members each having a diameter smaller than the spacing between the connecting rods. Contact members are secured to the peripheries of the circular disc members to form a V shaped groove therebetween for receiving the connecting rods. The circular disc members are urged toward each other by a spring, and stop members are provided to limit the rotational movement of the circular disc members. A cushion member is provided to absorb the shock created when the tug and barge are coupled together. Further, a holding device is provided for holding the coupling mechanism in an operative state or in an inoperative state.