Abstract: A fish hold construction for a fishing vessel, wherein the vessel is provided with a longitudinally extending water flume fish alley. Fish move with the help of gravity and water or brine into such fish alley from a plurality of fish storage holds. Water or brine is continuously recirculated through the fish alley to urge the fish along such alley into a fish elevating conveyor for removal from the vessel. A 'tween deck located in vertical alignment with, and above, the fish alley houses pipes, pumps and refrigeration components.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for handling the purse rings of a net when brought alongside a fishing vessel by the net's purse line. A power operated davit arrangement maneuvers the purse rings by the purse line adjacent the vessel sidewall. Purse ring support apparatus is mounted below the davit and moveable to engage and hold the purse rings while netted fish are removed from the net. The purse rings are thereafter easily disengaged from the purse ring support apparatus.

Abstract: Sail handling apparatus that includes a pair of aligned generally triangular panels secured along a boom and to a portion of the mast above the boom. The panels normally straddle the boom to define an open-topped, sail-receiving pocket. The sail can be lowered into the pocket and the top of the panels overlapped to cover the sail.

Abstract: An outboard thruster for use in maneuvering a marine vessel at low speeds, particularly during docking or fishing operations. The apparatus includes a motor-propeller unit which is normally stowed aboard a vessel. The motor-propeller unit is lowered into a submerged position adjacent and outboard the vessel's bow to effect slow speed maneuvering of such vessel. When submerged, the direction of thrust produced by the motor-propeller unit can be controlled.

Abstract: A fish unloading system for removing fish from the main fish hold of a fishing boat. The lower portion of the main fish hold is filled with water and sufficient salt added to cause the fish to float near the surface of the water. A power-operated self-feeding fish-impelling device having an enclosure arranged in a loop with a discharge aperture formed in its upper portion is lowered into the hold. A plurality of blades or baskets are power driven about the interior of the enclosure. A pump is arranged with its suction in communication with the fish-impelling device to continuously draw water and fish towards the blades or baskets of the impeller so as to continuously propel fish upwardly from the hold. The system is utilized to unload a plurality of auxiliary fish holds connected to the main fish hold by access hatches. Fish in the auxiliary holds are floated through the access hatches by a recirculating flow of water from the main fish hold through the auxiliary holds and back into the main hold.

Abstract: A stern fishing system utilizing a power block and purse seine net which is launched and retrieved from the stern of a fishing boat. When the net has been pursed, it may contain fish such as tuna, as well as a number of porpoises. For ecology reasons, the porpoise should be released unharmed. Such release is accomplished by driving the fishing boat forward so as to cause the edge of the net most aft of the fishing boat to be temporarily submerged permitting the trapped porpoise to leap from the confines of the net and back into the open sea.

Abstract: A stern fishing system utilizing a power block and purse seine net which is launched and retrieved from the stern of a fishing boat. When the net has been pursed, it may contain fish such as tuna, as well as a number of porpoises. For ecology reasons, the porpoise should be released unharmed. Such release is accomplished by driving the fishing boat forward so as to cause the edge of the net most aft of the fishing boat to be temporarily submerged permitting the trapped porpoise to leap from the confines of the net and back into the open sea.

Abstract: A fish unloading system for removing fish from the main fish hold of a fishing boat. The lower portion of the main fish hold is filled with water and sufficient salt added to cause the fish to float near the surface of the water. A power-operated self-feeding fish-impelling device having an enclosure arranged in a loop with a discharge aperture formed in its upper portion is lowered into the hold. A plurality of blades or baskets are power driven about the interior of the enclosure. A pump is arranged with its suction in communication with the fish-impelling device to continuously draw water and fish towards the blades or baskets of the impeller so as to continuously propel fish upwardly from the hold.The system is utilized to unload a plurality of auxiliary fish holds connected to the main fish hold by access hatches. Fish in the auxiliary holds are floated through the access hatches by a recirculating flow of water from the main fish hold through the auxiliary holds and back into the main hold.

Abstract: Fast-assembly flume apparatus for transferring fish during fish loading and unloading operations. The apparatus includes a plurality of like, generally half-hexagonal flume members. These flume members are nestable to permit compact stowing and are positionable in a longitudinal array for transferring fish along a desired path. A power-driven endless belt may be built into auxiliary units of the flume members to facilitate fish transfer.