Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for lightning protection for a vessel or structure operated on a fluid such as water. In a specific embodiment, a sailboat mast or lightning rod collects the lightning charge and a flexible conductive wire is attached to the mast or lightning rod which goes over the side of the vessel. A grounding electrode has buoyancy so that the grounding electrode is substantially kept at the water surface. The grounding electrode and buoyancy may also serve to allow the grounding electrode to hydrodynamic plane at the water surface when moving through the water. The buoyancy place's portions of the grounding electrode both above or below the water line and the buoyancy keeps the electrode substantially positioned with respect to the water surface even if the vessel or structure is heeled.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for lightning protection for a vessel or structure operated on a fluid such as water. In a specific embodiment of the subject invention, a sailboat mast or lightning rod serves to collect the lightning charge and a flexible conductive wire is attached to the mast or lightning rod which goes down over the side of the vessel and to the water level. A grounding electrode is at the end of the wire and has a buoyant material on or near the grounding electrode such that the grounding electrode is substantially kept at the surface of the water. The grounding electrode and buoyancy may also serve to allow the grounding electrode to hydrodynamic plane at the water surface if the vessel or structure is moving through the water.

Abstract: An improved method for displaying digital still images on a television set. An transmit assembly interfaces with a computer where digital images are stored and a software “slide show” program is running on the computer. A second receive assembly interfaces with a television monitor and has a means to convert digital images to a format with can be displayed on the television monitor. There is a wireless data transmission path between the transmit assembly and the receive assembly. A separate remote control assembly contains a human interface and a wireless data transmission path to the transmit assembly. The system of the computer, television set, transmit assembly, receive assembly and remote control assembly allows a user to remotely and wirelessly control a slide show software program on the computer and display the images on a television screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sheeting a sail of a sailing vessel having the sail rotatably attached to a mast mounted on a vessel body. The apparatus includes a main sheet line wherein opposite ends of the main sheet line are attached to the rotating portion of the sail. The main sheet line is received around pulleys mounted on opposite sides of the vessel or on a lateral beam extending outwardly from the vessel body. One end of a secondary sheet line is attached to the main sheet line at the center of the vessel when the sail is fully sheeted in. The secondary sheet line is laterally constrained by the centering pulleys yet may freely run between the pulleys. The secondary sheet line extends from the centering pulleys and around a forward pulley to the vessel skipper. By pulling the single secondary sheet line, the skipper can operate the main sheet line and sheet the sail.