Abstract: The invention concerns a propulsion unit for a multihull such as a catamaran, comprising at least one turbine, seawater suction means and seawater backflow means. The invention is characterized in that said device comprises a seawater turbine directly driven by a motor inside each of the hulls (1), the seawater suction means being positioned at the front, outside each hull (1) in an overpressure zone generated by the bow wave and the seawater backflow means being positioned inside each hull (11), on the rear of the boat pitch pivot pin, said backflow means having an outlet (5) capable of being pivoted and emerging inside the channel defined between two hulls (1).

Abstract: This invention relates to a boat designed as a self-hoisting unit for the vertical and horizontal transfer of persons and/or equipment from a ship to an offshore platform and vice versa. The boat carries a hollow mast forming a guide for a cable, the upper end of which will be attached to a carrier structure extending outwardly from a platform or ship. The mast is held by shrouds so as to withstand large flexural strains. For compensating sea-swell, the lower end of the cable passes over a damper unit comprising an hydraulic cylinder associated with pulleys of two opposed tackle-blocks. The cable is driven by a winch so that the boat can autonomously hoist itself to the platform deck level, or lower itself down to the sea or onto the deck of a ship. The mast height is sufficient for generating an uprighting torque ensuring horizontal stability of the boat during its ascent and descent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light towable vehicle (1) designed for maneuvering a detachable container (22), such as a skip. This vehicle comprises a support frame (4) and a platform (7) hinged together. It is provided with two wheels (5) on an axle (6) and with a coupling member (3) for being hitched to a towing vehicle (2); it carries a slender mast (8), the lower end (10) of which is pivotally linked to the front end of said frame (4). The mast top carries a pulley (12) for a cable (20) attached by one end to the front end (11) of the platform and by its other end to a winch (21) on the platform (7) for raising the front end (11) of the platform.The frame (4) carries two pivots (14) forming an axis (15) for the pivoting of the platform. This axis (15) is preferbaly near the vertical plane of the center of gravity of the platform.