Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for Insta Fill Wake System have been disclosed. By using a rotatable cylinder that can be positioned as closed, flood, and drain and deployable on a boat, controlled filling/emptying/holding of water in ballast tanks is possible without the use of pumps.

Abstract: A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.

Abstract: A craft includes a rigid hull (1) that consists of a V-shaped bottom (5) and a bridge (4) on which a load can rest. The hull includes plating consisting of compartmentalized pneumatic floats (2), the rear compartments (32) of which are combined with an inflation and deflation system so as to vary the buoyancy of the craft. The craft also includes a submergible hull (1), the central cavity (9) of which is formed between the bottom (5) and the bridge (4) and is open at the rear so as to be automatically filled or emptied, the central cavity (9) containing at least one bag (10) that is combined with an inflation and deflation system enabling the buoyancy to be varied and consequently the level of immersion of the stern (7) to be changed as needed.

Abstract: A floating offshore structure is disclosed. The floating offshore structure, which is for drilling or production, includes a semi-submerged platform body in the shape of a cylinder that is extended vertically above and below the sea level. The platform body is formed with a concave part that reduces its cross-sectional area. The concave part is discontinuously formed along an external circumferential surface of the platform body. The depth of submergence of the platform body is adjusted so that the water line is located at the concave part in an extreme marine condition.

Abstract: A craft including a body having a front end, a rear end, two sides miming between said ends, and an axis running generally from the rear end to the front end; and a water displacement system operable to displace water to propel the craft across water and to displace water to cause the craft to rotate about said axis. The craft includes a ballast tank capable of being at least partially filled with ballast to change a position of a center of gravity of the craft to assist in rotation of the craft when capsized. The craft also includes a rapid filling and emptying system for a ballast system of a craft in addition to a water displacement system, wherein the rapid filling and emptying system includes at least one ballasting intake through which water is passed from the water displacement system into said ballast system; and at least one ballasting outlet through which the water displacement system draws water from the ballast system.

Abstract: Ballast and/or cooling water biocidal treatment and disinfection systems and techniques are provided. The systems utilize oxidation reduction potential control to regulate addition, or concentration of an electrocatalytically generated biocidal agent to disinfection levels in ship buoyancy and to biofouling levels in ship cooling water systems. The disinfection and biofouling control systems provide suitable treatment while reducing the potential for corrosion of ship components and, in some cases, undesirable disinfection byproducts.

Abstract: A ballast system and method use a situational adaptive approach to measure, control and monitor the level of liquid in an onboard ballast tank. A baseline level of liquid in the tank, established while the watercraft is static, is stored in memory associated with a controller. While the watercraft is moving, the controller monitors pump conditions, e.g., run time, flow, vacuum, etc., and extrapolates the amount of water added to or drained from the tank. The baseline level and extrapolated added/drained amount are added to accurately determine the true liquid level in the tank. That information is displayed to the watercraft operator. The system can automatically adjust watercraft attitude by adding/draining water from the ballast tank based on preset values to provide a desired wake. The system can display ballast levels in volume, percentage of full, and weight; and can provide estimated times to achieve preset levels, empty or full.

Abstract: Vessel including a hull of a substantially closed surface has at deck level a lifting crane, ballast tanks within the hull and a ballast control unit for admitting water to the ballast tanks for changing the draft of the vessel. The hull has a narrow lower section having first width over a height from keel level to a widening level, and a top section having a larger width than the lower section, extending from the widening level upwards towards deck level. The control unit is adapted to ballast the vessel to have a relatively shallow draft level in a transit mode, so that the wide top section is above water level, while the vessel is traveling, and to ballast the vessel to a relatively deep draft level in a lifting mode so that the widening level is below water level, at least when the vessel is substantially stationary and the crane is in its lifting position.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to ballast systems for marine structures. The ballast system comprises a ballast tank and a pump. The pump comprises a low side and a high side and the ballast system comprises a first inlet conduit assembly adapted to provide a fluid communication between the ballast tank and the low side. The ballast system is adapted to provide a first operating condition in which first operating condition a fluid is pumped from the low side to the high side.

Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for Insta Fill Wake System have been disclosed. By using a rotatable cylinder that can be positioned as closed, flood, and drain and deployable on a boat, controlled filling/emptying/holding of water in ballast tanks is possible without the use of pumps.

Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for Insta Fill Wake System have been disclosed. By using a gate that can be positioned as closed, flood, and drain and deployable on a boat, controlled filling/emptying/holding of water in ballast tanks is possible without the use of pumps.

Abstract: A platform for offshore drilling and/or production operations comprises an equipment deck. In addition, the platform comprises a buoyant hull coupled to the equipment deck and configured to extend below the surface of the water. The hull comprises a first column having a central axis, an upper end coupled to the deck, a lower end distal the deck, and a plurality of axially stacked cells between the upper end and the lower end. Each cell defining an inner chamber within the cell and an exterior region outside the cell. The plurality of cells includes a first cell extending from the upper end of the first sub-column and a second cell axially positioned below the first cell. The first cell is water-tight. Further, the second cell includes a gas port configured to supply a buoyancy control gas to the inner chamber of the second cell.

Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for Wake Enlargement System have been disclosed. By using water pick ups that are mounted or deployable on a boat controlled filling of ballast tanks is possible without the use of pumps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ballast system for a marine structure. The ballast system comprises a ballast tank which is in fluid communication with a tank arrangement for temporarily holding bilge fluid and/or ballast fluid in a marine structure. The tank arrangement comprises a storage space defined by at least one tank wall, at least one fluid inlet for introducing the bilge fluid and/or ballast fluid in the storage space, and at least one fluid outlet permitting removal of at least parts of the bilge fluid and/or ballast fluid from the storage space. The at least one fluid outlet is at least partly formed by a caisson adapted for receiving a submersible pump at a submersible pump position in the storage space.

Abstract: An offshore structure having a hull, an upper vertical wall, an upper inwardly-tapered wall disposed below the upper vertical wall, a lower outwardly-tapered wall disposed below the upper sloped wall, and a lower vertical wall disposed below the lower sloped wall. The upper and lower sloped walls produce significant heave damping in response to heavy wave action. A heavy slurry of hematite and water ballast is added to the lower and outermost portions of the hull to lower the center of gravity below the center of buoyancy. The offshore structure provides one or more movable hawser connections that allow a tanker vessel to moor directly to the offshore structure during offloading rather than mooring to a separate buoy at some distance from the offshore storage structure. The movable hawser connection includes an arcuate rail with a movable trolley that provides a hawser connection point that allows vessel weathervaning.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient mismatch in buoyancy controlled or buoyancy-driven underwater vehicles are disclosed herein. An underwater vehicle configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, for example, can include a hull and a compartment carried by the hull and at least partially flooded with a first liquid having similar properties as a surrounding liquid into which the hull is configured to be deployed. The first liquid has a first compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient. The underwater vehicle can further include a compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient compensation system comprising a container filled or at least partially filled with a compressible liquid comprising silicone in the compartment. The compressible liquid has a second compressibility higher than the first compressibility and second thermal expansion coefficient higher than the first thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: This invention relates to a floating facility mounted with a power plant. The floating facility mounted with a power plant includes: at least one power generator room disposed in one side within a hull of the floating facility; and at least one fuel tank disposed in the other side within the hull.

Abstract: This invention relates to a floating facility mounted with a power plant. The floating facility mounted with a power plant includes: at least one power generator room disposed respectively in both ends within a hull of the floating facility; and at least one fuel tank disposed in a central portion within the hull.

Abstract: A load out and float off method for a spar type structure or another structure such as a deck. The invention enables the load out and float off of a large diameter spar using existing Heavy Lift Vessels (HLV's). A U-shaped tank (U-tank) is utilized to artificially extend the length of the HLV and provide supplemental buoyancy to help lift the spar off the land ways. The U-tank provides supplemental buoyancy and water plane area to float the spar off the HLV. After HLV departure the U-tank is moved and placed beneath an adapter frame on the spar's hard tank. The U-tank is ballasted upward to reduce the hard tank draft and have the strake tips clear the channel bottom. The spar can then be brought alongside the fabrication yard quay for additional work and then towed down the channel to the open sea.

Abstract: An electrochemical engine for buoyancy is provided with the engine having a water-tight and gas-tight chamber containing a volume of seawater. The electrochemical buoyancy engine contributes electrons for reduction of hydrogen protons in the seawater using a sufficient voltage applied to an anode and a cathode disposed in the seawater. The generated hydrogen gas is held in the chamber to provide the desired buoyancy and can be vented to adjust the buoyancy.

Abstract: The invention described herein teaches that one drilling barge can be employed in two different areas. The standard drilling practice requires two vessels to perform the same work as one drilling barge invention. Standard drilling rigs require that one unit will drill well locations in water depths of 8?-18?. A second drilling unit must be provided to drill in water depths of 18?-60?. As a result of this invention, water depths of 8?-60? can be provided by use of the one vessel employing the novel stabilization system. The service area's coverage is increased greatly by use of the invention thereby creating excellent cost reduction and improved drilling procedures in remote and harsh drilling areas. The invention's cost is slightly more than the standard drilling barge however; coverage of the service area can be 500% greater than the standard vessel's coverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mixing between a first water-type and a second water-type and for increasing the efficiency of ballast water exchange procedures on a ship. The apparatus includes a plurality of ballast water tanks, each having an arrangement to reduce water-mixing. Each arrangement includes a horizontal flow restraining box and two anti-mixing brackets. The ballast water tanks are divided into a plurality of compartments including a main compartment. The arrangement to reduce the water-mixing is provided in the main compartment of each tank.

Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.

Abstract: A floating, offshore drilling and/or production platform such as a tension leg platform, semi-submersible, spar or the like is equipped with a ballast tank system that comprises the traditional tank and a shaft that runs typically vertically from top-of-hull level to the top of the tank. This shaft is large enough to allow the ballast pipe, sounding lines, instrumentation piping, etc. to be installed within it. In certain embodiments, the shaft itself functions as a vent line.

Abstract: Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel having an operator station located generally amidships, a vertical support unit fitted across a beam of the vessel near the operator station, and adjustable ballast. An upper portion of the vertical support is at a height substantially above a level of the operator station, and a container is onboard and proximate the starboard and port sides, wherein water from a body of water within which the vessel is operating is directed into the container for weighing down a stern of the vessel to provide the ballast so as to modify a wake created for a wakeboarder or the like being towed by the vessel using a tow rope attached to the upper portion of the vertical support.

Abstract: The device comprises at least one pair of flexible ballasts which extend laterally along the length of the inflatable structure and each comprise an orifice, acting as a vent, situated at the front, and a scoop system situated at the rear. Between the ballasts, at least one pipe connects the cavities of said ballasts to equalize their level of fill and the stagnation pressure of the water obtaining in said cavities when the inflatable structure is pulled along in the inflated state. This scoop system consists of a component moulded in a rigid or semirigid thermoplastic or is made of an assembly of cutouts from a flexible material of watertight fabric. This scoop system is bonded and/or welded to the ballast.

Abstract: An offshore floating production, storage, and off-loading vessel has a hull of generally cylindrical or polygonal configuration surrounding a central double tapered conical moon pool and contains water ballast and oil and/or liquefied gas storage compartments. An adjustable water ballast system induces heave, roll, pitch and surge motions of the vessel to dynamically position and maneuver the vessel. The moon pool shape and other devices on the vessel provide added virtual mass for increasing the natural period of the roll and heave modes, reducing dynamic amplification and resonance due to waves and vessel motion, and facilitate maneuvering the vessel. A disconnectable turret buoy at the bottom of the moon pool connects risers and mooring lines.

Abstract: A multi-purpose boat has a two angle V hull with a rounded fore-aft profile and slightly convex deck. The hull has steeply angled edge portions and shallowly angled center portions. The edge portions are sufficiently sloped away from vertical to allow the boat to be lifted and not pushed by waves. The rounded fore-aft profile allows the boat to slide over waves, especially during a beach entry. The boat includes a keel having a horizontal base and separating downward from the hull at the fore and aft of the boat to resist yawing. The dry weight of the boat is about 25 pounds with a foam core with a resin coating and the keel is preferably hollow and includes ports to allow water to enter the keel to add about 25 pounds after entering the water. Approximately four inches of freeboard is provided separating riders from cold water and predators.

Abstract: A design and construction method reduces the amount of structural material (e.g., steel) required when applying the corrosion allowance to the design of floating offshore structures. The (hull) structural elements involved are typically flat or curved panels where at least one side is wet, e.g.; inside a ballast tank or exposed to seawater. The method minimizes the area to which the largest corrosion allowance is applied. One principle of this method is to have a maximum of one wet side for each hull watertight plating element. The stiffening of this hull structural element is applied to the dry side, i.e., the side that requires the lesser amount of corrosion allowance. Practice of the method typically results in a hull design wherein ballast tanks do not share a common structural element with either another ballast tank or the hull external shell.

Abstract: System for the active and passive stabilization of a vessel (10), such as ships, boats, rigs, barges, platforms and cranes operating in a maritime environment, which vessel (10) is provided with tanks (Ha-d) to provide buoyancy and/or ballast, which tanks (11a-d) are provided with openings (12a-d) in the bottom, which openings (12a-d) are facing the medium in which the vessel (10) is floating. The tanks (11a-d) are independent of each other and the openings (12a-d) are so large that a sufficient volume of fluid can pass without cavitation or other resistance, and the system includes means (13a-d) for supplying fluid to the tanks (11a-d), controlled to counteract the effects of external forces on the movements of the vessel (11). The invention further includes methods for the passive and active stabilization of the vessel by use of the system.

Abstract: A working system includes a floating type floating structure, and a working ship configured to perform at least installation or maintenance of the floating structure. The floating structure has a column section whose peripheral surface is located at a waterline when the floating structure is floating, a ballast section arranged below the column section and a flange section arranged at an intermediate portion of the column section. The working ship has a gripping section capable of engaging with the flange section, and a raising/lowering device configured to raise and lower the floating structure.

Abstract: A system of floating and weight-stabilized wind turbine towers with separately floodable compartments and aerodynamic overwater encasement and the appertaining semisubmersible mooring structures including anchorage on the seabed, a horizontally floating underwater mooring meshwork and an actinomorphic buoy-cable-mooring to the wind turbine towers. Also, a method to transport wind turbine towers from the manufacturing plants on-shore to the final off-shore destination by towing the vented towers in a horizontal position with towboats. Further, a method to erect the wind turbine towers at the final destination, including the assembly of the wind turbines. The worldwide potentials of off-shore wind farming in deep waters to produce electricity in an ecologically and economically sound way in order both to satisfy men's requirements and to help to reduce the need to rely on critical fossil and nuclear resources being immense.

Abstract: The float structure is constructed with a bottom structure providing buoyancy to the float structure, an upper deck and a number of support columns that connect the bottom structure and the equipment deck which is to be positioned above the surface of the water in which the float is arranged to operate. The float structure is characterized in that at least one of said support columns comprises a liquid storage column which is placed in the middle section of the float structure with the remaining support columns are positioned in the outer sections of the float structure. Active ballast tanks are disposed in the middle section of the bottom structure adjacent the liquid storage column and secondary ballast tanks are disposed in the outer part of the bottom structure.

Abstract: A semi-submersible floating platform for use in offshore applications having a semi-submersible hull structure including motion damping support columns, a pontoon structure adjoined to the motion damping support columns at a lower end thereof, and a deck structure supported at an upper end of thereof for supporting equipment mounted thereon above the water surface. Each motion damping support column has an inner water trapping damper chamber of closed base or open base construction that allows natural flooding of said inner water trapping damper chamber during installation and before reaching an operating draft of the platform, and which when flooded provides hydrodynamic mass, damping, and in-water weight to said platform during operation. A plurality of smaller columns are disposed on the perimeter of the upper portion of each support column and surround the upper portion of the inner water trapping damper chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient mismatch in buoyancy controlled or buoyancy-driven underwater vehicles are disclosed herein. An underwater vehicle configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, for example, can include a hull and a compartment carried by the hull and at least partially flooded with a first liquid having similar properties as a surrounding liquid into which the hull is configured to be deployed. The first liquid has a first compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient. The underwater vehicle can further include a compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient compensation system comprising a container filled or at least partially filled with a compressible liquid comprising silicone in the compartment. The compressible liquid has a second compressibility higher than the first compressibility and second thermal expansion coefficient higher than the first thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: The disclosure describes, in part, apparatuses and methods for shaping a wake of a water ski boat. Embodiments of wake shaping systems fixed to portions of a ski boat configured to heel a ski boat towards a starboard side and/or a port side of the ski boat. The wake shaping system comprising a ballast selectively positioned a distance above a waterline of a ski boat, and a distance from a pylon removeably fixed to a portion of the ski boat.

Abstract: A craft including a body having a front end, a rear end, two sides miming between said ends, and an axis running generally from the rear end to the front end; and a water displacement system operable to displace water to propel the craft across water and to displace water to cause the craft to rotate about said axis. The craft includes a ballast tank capable of being at least partially filled with ballast to change a position of a centre of gravity of the craft to assist in rotation of the craft when capsized. The craft also includes a rapid filling and emptying system for a ballast system of a craft in addition to a water displacement system, wherein the rapid filling and emptying system includes at least one ballasting intake through which water is passed from the water displacement system into said ballast system; and at least one ballasting outlet through which the water displacement system draws water from the ballast system.

Abstract: The present invention reduces loads and saves steel on topsides and grillage of a catamaran system by creating a lifting force from a barge to the topsides to offset a sagging bending moment of the self-weight on the topsides during transportation. The present invention can reduce the span of the supports on the topsides on the catamaran float-over barges and move the reaction forces toward inner edges of the float-over barges. The lifting force can cause a reduction of stress on the topsides' and grillage's members caused during the topside offloading and transportation. The stress reduction can result in the members withstanding the additional dynamic load caused by a catamaran system without increasing member sizes adequate for an offloading operation. The reduction results in a significant savings, given the size of a typical topsides for a Spar hull or other offshore structure.

Abstract: A sea water system comprises, an inlet conduit assembly, a ballast tank and an overflow arrangement arranged in fluid communication with the inlet conduit assembly. The inlet conduit assembly provides a fluid communication between ambient environment and the ballast tank. A first pump assembly is arranged in the inlet conduit assembly for pumping sea water through at least a first conduit portion towards the ballast tank. A second pump assembly is arranged in fluid communication with the ballast tank and is arranged for pumping sea water from the ballast tank through an outlet conduit assembly arranged after the second pump assembly. The second pump assembly and the outlet conduit assembly are separate from the inlet conduit assembly. The sea water system may be arranged on a floating vessel.

Abstract: A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel is presented, comprising a moonpool in the vessel, a turret structure mounted for a rotation in said moonpool and a buoy member having a plurality of passages each adapted to receive a riser. The turret structure has a lower end comprising a buoy receptacle for detachably receiving the buoy member, wherein the mooring system further comprises a plurality of mooring lines for transmitting mooring forces and each have a lower end and an upper end connected to the seabed and the buoy member, respectively. The mooring lines each comprise a first section which in a disconnectable manner is connected to the turret structure and a second section connected to the first section at a coupling point and connected to the buoy member. Also methods for disconnecting and reconnecting such a mooring system are presented.

Abstract: A pontoon-type floating structure comprising an upper deck that is to be maintained above water level and that is to receive and support a load by the load resting thereon; and a horizontal array of chambers disposed underneath the upper deck, with the chambers providing a first set of chambers that provide the structure with buoyancy, and a second set of chambers with water having access thereto so that the second set of chambers, under steady state conditions, do not provide buoyancy.

Abstract: A towable buoy having a tow point for connection to a tow cable of a vessel, wherein the position of the tow point is translationally moveable with respect to the remainder of the buoy. Also, a method of operating the towable buoy.

Abstract: A buoyant submersible structure floating above the sea floor includes a support portion to support a load, and a gas-filled tank. The tank has an opening, and a connected tube. The tube is partially filled with seawater defining a water-gas interface at a first level. In operation, the structure is fully submerged below the water surface to a first depth. The second chamber is partially filled with seawater defining a water-gas interface at a first position inside the second chamber. Then, the buoyancy structure is moved to a second, greater depth. Water enters the second chamber to raise the water-gas interface to a second, higher level and without entering the first chamber. Subsequently, the buoyancy of the structure is adjusted to tension the cable, a support structure to support a load is attached to the structure, and then the buoyancy of the structure is readjusted.

Abstract: In a sea chest defining a hull opening and an interior, a sea chest cover for covering the hull opening and allowing water to flow in and out of the sea chest interior is combined with a sea chest liner for lining the sea chest interior, wherein the sea chest cover and the sea chest liner are made of a non-metallic material. In one aspect of the invention, the sea chest cover has one or more apertures formed therein for allowing water to flow in and out of the sea chest interior, and the one or more apertures are configured to prevent or reduce cavitations. In another aspect of the invention, the sea chest liner is a coating of a non-metallic material applied to the sea chest interior. In yet another aspect of the invention, the sea chest liner being designed to have adjustable lateral dimensions.

Abstract: An automatic reversing-reposition rocker arm includes a rocker arm body, and the rocker arm body is a steel box beam. A rocker arm pivoting shaft is attached on a middle of the body. The rocker arm body has a ballast tank, a water inlet, and a water outlet. The ballast tank is located in a back end of the rocker arm body. The water inlet is located in an upper edge of the ballast tank. The water outlet is located in a lower edge of the ballast tank. A left side and a right side of a lengthwise forth end of the rocker arm pivoting shaft match each other, and a plurality of connecting devices are attached on the forth end of the rocker arm body. A plurality of gas-liquid buffers connects with the rocker arm body via the connecting devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide liquid pump apparatus. The apparatus may comprise an immersion assembly comprising at least one immersion member having a liquid conduit provided therein along at least a portion of a length thereof, the immersion assembly being arranged whereby in use at least a portion of the immersion assembly is immersed in liquid to be pumped, the apparatus being arranged to provide a supply of gaseous fluid to liquid in the tank through the at least one immersion member at one of a plurality of vertically spaced apart locations of the assembly thereby to cause passage of liquid through the assembly from a liquid inlet aperture to a liquid outlet aperture of the assembly, the apparatus being configured whereby a location at which gaseous fluid is supplied to the immersion assembly is selected to be a location at which a head of pressure of liquid in the tank is within a prescribed range of values.

Abstract: An engine for reducing the temperature at the surface of a body of water during a storm includes at least one floatation member for supporting the engine, an elongate tube mounted on the floatation member configured to receive a stream of air therethrough, the elongate tube having first and second ends, a constricted center section therebetween and means for distributing water into the tube adjacent the constricted center section, a wind turbine having at least one rotor, a differential and a shaft connecting the rotor to the differential, a pump operatively connected to the wind turbine and extending into the body of water to a depth where the temperature of the water is less the water temperature at the surface and wherein water from beneath the surface of the body of water is pumped into the manifold and distributed into the elongate tube to cool the stream of air.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides mold modules for constructing boat hulls, methods of constructing boat hulls using the mold modules, and hulls constructed using the mold modules. The modules may be adjustable, and may be included in a kit for building the hull of many boats of different dimensions but generally the same shape. Each mold module generally comprises a mold in a shape complementary to that of a portion of a boat hull, and an edge mold to form the edge of the hull part formed by that mold module. A mold module according to the present invention may also comprise one or more mold adjustment areas, and calibrators for selecting the boat hull dimensions. Methods for using the aforementioned mold modules generally comprise steps of molding hull parts, removing them from the mold modules, aligning them and finally attaching them together.

Abstract: A vessel (2) comprises a first stabilizer assembly (14) and a second stabilizer assembly, each stabilizer assembly comprising at least one submergible at least partially hollow body; and suspending means (16) for suspending the or each body from the vessel, the first and second stabilizer assemblies being suspended from substantially opposite sides of the vessel. Fins (22) are provided on the stabilizer assembly.

Abstract: For protecting surface floating wave energy converters (WEC's) against surface turbulence, the WEC's are removed from the water surface. For reducing the force required, the WEC's include a hollow member having an apertured outer wall. In the case where the WEC is to be lifted out of the water, the hollow member is normally submerged and full of water, and, during its lifting, water drains through the wall apertures thereby reducing the weight of the member and reducing the force required to lift it. In the case where the WEC is to be submerged, the hollow member is normally empty of water but fills with water through the wall apertures as the member is pulled beneath the surface. The weight of the water reduces the force required to submerge the member.