Abstract: A foldable sink box consisting of a rigid plasticized hull and a buoyant platform having a large central aperture for engagement by the rigid hull in assembled condition. The hull defines a relatively deep well, for sitting engagement by a hunter. The platform defines two halves, interconnected by an intermediate lengthwisely-extending hinge member. Locking brackets releasably lockingly interconnect the platform to the top edge portion of the rigid hull, concurrently with releasably locking the platform halves in coplanar fashion.

Abstract: In order to reduce the economic impact of segregated ballast requirements for tanker vessels, heavy ballast, for example concrete, is placed in the segregated ballast tanks in amount to occupy 30 to 50% of the free volume of the tank. The rest of the tank may be filled with water ballast. The use of heavy ballast provides a total ballast weight equal to that obtainable with a greater number of tanks filled with water ballast only, thus increasing the available cargo space.

Abstract: A vessel includes two or more barge form hulls disposed apart vertically one above the other and multiple spaced connecting structural members rigidly inter-connecting the hulls with a gap therebetween. The upper hull provides the necessary buoyancy to support the vessel with the other hull or hulls flooded with sea water and/or other liquids. Waves acting on the vessel may cause a water flow in the space between the hulls and the wave energy may be at least partially dissipated by the action of the water flow between the hulls and on the connecting members.

Abstract: A plurality of modules (66) are connected together to define a multi-story annular building (10) of honeycomb cells (C). The cells (C) of the building are hexagonal in cross section and taper horizontally as they extend radially inwardly. A turntable/elevator (36) is located in a shaft opening at or near the center of the building (10). A tunnel (48) extends through a side of the building (10). The building includes flotation cells at its bottom, some of which are air tight. Water is pumped into and out from the others, for regulating the vertical position of the building (10) in a body of water. An annular ring (66) of flotation material extends about the building (10) immediately below the water line. Each cell (C) is reinforced by a reinforcing ring (R1) extending about the girth of the cell (C). The rings (R1) are connected together vertically and horizontally to form a wall (RW1) of rings constituting a basic skeletal part of the building (10).

Abstract: A ballast arrangement includes a number of tanks and a pump connected to a sea-chest and having a discharge conduit extending to a level above the top-most tank. A distribution conduit extends to the various tanks and an overflow pipe is connected to the discharge conduit and reaches to a further level, above the first mentioned level, where also an evacuation pipe is connected. The further level will determine the static pressure which may act in any of the associated tanks. The tanks may be connected to the suction side of the pump through by-pass conduits, and a two-way valve is designed so the pump can communicate only with either the sea-chest or with the by-pass conduits.

Abstract: A water vessel of the floating-dock type is provided with an arrangement for adapting the vessel for seismic or similar research. A platform is mounted above the cargo deck and extends between the side walls of the vessel. Research equipment including at least a measurement cable mounted on a reel is supported on the platform. The measurement cable is passed from the reel through the stern door of the vessel into the sea. Cables for transmitting impulses to be measured are situated within spaces provided within the side walls of the vessel so as to be lowerable into the sea from the stern ends of the side walls. According to one embodiment, the platform is mounted so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the vessel. By means of the invention, a vessel of the floating-dock type can be converted to a vessel suitable for research operations in an economical manner.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an arrangement for returning a small boat from an overturned position to a normal upright position. The boat comprises a substantially enclosed room and a partition provided in the room adjacent the bottom of the craft to form in the room an upper compartment and a lower compartment under the upper compartment. The lower compartment is adapted to contain water, and the partition is adapted to substantially prevent the water from entering the upper compartment when the craft is overturned.

Abstract: A recreational and therapeutic propelled pontoon chair. The invention fundamentally comprises a pair of pontoons in fixed spaced relationship with each other. A chair for maintaining a user is positioned between the pontoons with a drive and power source being maintained behind the chair. The chair is adjustable in elevation and includes an adjustable leg rest. Control cables on an arm rest regulate speed and direction. In another embodiment, such cables are attached to a headband.

Abstract: Vessels and the like require cleaning either periodically or whenever a need arises to remove various living things such as seaweeds and shells or contaminants such as oil for the sake of appearance and proper performance. Divers were conventionally employed to manually remove them one by one using a scraper as one means to remove such substances. Such manual operation is, however, extremely inefficient, involving great amounts of time and labor especially for large ships. According to the present invention, the main body of a cleaning apparatus is pressed against an underwater object to be cleaned by means of impellers which are provided substantially at the center of the main body and driven to rotate, whereby cleaning brushes which are provided at the bottom of the cleaning apparatus concentrically with the impellers are rotated to remove substances adherent to the object while the cleaning apparatus is manipulated to run on the object's surface.

Abstract: The crane load-test gauge of the instant invention includes an elongate vessel having multiple fluid containing compartments therein. Each compartment has an open top side. A fluid carrying manifold is disposed along the length of the vessel and has a valve mechanism associated with each of the compartments for introducing fluid into the compartment. The manifold has a conventional fire hose connector on the free end thereof. A level adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting the level of fluid in a compartment. The level adjusting mechanism includes a trim valve for partially emptying a single compartment and a sluice valve for transferring fluid between compartments. A sight gauge is affixed to a side of each compartment in communication with the interior thereof. The sight gauge is operable to indicate a fluid level in its associated compartment.

Abstract: The self-inflating convertible life raft may be launched from a distressed ship or a downed aircraft. Suspended from the sides of the hull are uniquely positioned anti-capsize water ballast bags which are fully retractable to allow for life raft maneuverability. In order to convert the life raft into an effective sailing boat; the mast, sails, lee board, and tiller-rudder assembly are stowed inside a standard-sized lift raft cannister or valise. This easily assembled gear allows the user to effect self-rescue by sailing the life raft to a chosen destination.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an arrangement for self-righting a water craft, such as water craft from an overturned position to a normal upright position. The craft comprises a substantially enclosed room and a reverse bilge well provided in both left and right side portions in an engine room.

Abstract: The invention is a water lifter for use on knocked down multi-hull sailboats. The water lifter comprises a water bucket attached to one or more bucket lines which in turn are attached to one or more down pulleys. The down pulleys are in turn connected by pulley ropes to one or more top pulleys to provide sufficient mechanical advantage for a small single person to lift the water bucket out of the water. The top pulleys are attached to the uppermost hull of the knocked down multi-hull craft. On small sailboats, a single small person then braces his feet against the down hull, and positions his back against the water bucket, and pushes the water bucket as far as he or she can from the down hull, using his or her strong leg and back muscles.

Abstract: A vessel with a ballast system including a plurality of ballast tanks provided with means for feeding water into the tanks and expelling water therefrom and an air bubbling system including underwater openings and means for blowing air through said openings into the water surrounding said vessel. The ballast system and the air bubbling system include a common tube system being alternatively connectable to the ballast tanks, for operating the filling and emptying of the tanks, and to the air bubbling system for conducting air to the underwater openings as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,204.

Abstract: A dry dock having flotation chambers on two opposite sides of the load-carrying platform is submerged by flooding the flotation chambers. A reversible air pump is used to raise the dry dock by first blowing water out of the chambers then sucking water from the platform into the chambers and then again blowing water out of the chambers. The structure of the dry dock allows it to be used also as a submergible barge.

Abstract: A float structure includes a flotation portion, a frame portion, a shell portion and a connector portion. The flotation portion includes a unitary porous slab member having a generally quadrangular configuration and includes upper and lower major faces and sidewalls joining same. The sidewalls taper inwardly toward the lower major face thereof. The frame portion includes a plurality of elongated interconnected strip members disposed around the periphery of the slab member adjacent the upper major face thereof. The shell portion includes a continuous waterproof covering over substantially the entire outer surface of the flotation portion. The connector portion includes a plurality of spaced fasteners extending through the shell portion into the frame portion and capable of securing bracket members to the periphery of the structure; whereby the float structure may be carried to a body of water and anchored therein at a desired location.

Abstract: A vessel, for example a semi-submersible is provided with at least a chamber for stabilizing it against any or all of heave, roll and pitch. The chambers are mounted on or in the vessel and disposed to lie at least partly below the surface of the water. Valves are provided for controlling the buoyancy of the chambers. Each valve has a first position in which the respective chamber is connected to atmosphere to permit air to enter or leave the chamber, and a second position in which the chamber is not so connected.

Abstract: A marine observatory craft for viewing of underwater locations includes a plurality of planing type hulls with viewing ports associated with each hull. There is also provided a plurality of transverse bulkheads dividing each hull into a plurality of separate internal compartments which are sealed from each other. In each internal compartment there is provided one or more ballast tanks which function as seat supports wherein each internal compartment includes a viewing area having one or more of the seat supports. A control cabin superstructure is located above the plurality of internal compartments. There is also provided a device for selectively flooding the ballast tanks whereby the craft may move in a traveling mode wherein the viewing ports are located above the waterline and an observing mode in which the viewing ports are located below the water line. The flooding device includes a pump, a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of water through flow conduits, an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: A recreational watercraft having a housing and a structure disposed within the housing for supporting a person. The housing is adapted to be moved through the water by being towed or in other ways. Foot operated rudders are provided on the forward part of the housing and on the rearward part of the housing and are linked together whereby movement of the forward rudder in one direction causes movement of the rear rudder in an equal and opposite direction for causing rapid movement from side to side of the watercraft. Additionally, hand operated rudders are provided for causing turning of the housing about a longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A ballast exhaust pipe closing appliance for a ship is so designed that a closing stopper comprising an inflatable bag body is inserted in a ballast exhaust pipe. By supplying compressed air in the closing stopper, the closing stopper is inflated and closes the ballast exhaust pipe, thereby preventing liquid which leaked in the ballast exhaust pipe from flowing into the sea. Also, the closing stopper can be removed automatically and fluid which leaked in the ballast exhaust pipe can be drawn out by exhausting compressed air in the closing stopper and by raising the air pressure in the ballast exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A catamaran boat is provided including a pair of laterally spaced apart longitudinally extending displacement-type hollow hulls. Generally horizontal connecting deck structure extends between the hulls and includes a large plan area transparent generally horizontal viewing panel supported therefrom in an opening provided in the deck structure. The boat has a loaded operational water line which is spaced below the transparent panel and the hulls include buoyancy varying structure operative to selectively flood the hulls to reduce the buoyancy thereof and raise the water line to a level above the panel and to subsequently pump out the hulls to increase the buoyancy thereof and lower the water line to the aforementioned operational water line.

Abstract: An improved computerized moment stability system is provided which will rapidly obtain the solution to operational and post damage stability problems which may be present on an oceangoing vessel. The system includes three functional modules plus an initialization data base module. The data base modules stores the basic stability data concerning all watertight compartments and tanks onboard the vessel. An operational stability module is provided for performing the operational calculations to determine the stability parameters which exist under normal conditions. In addition, the operational module can provide reports concerning the day to day inventory of consumables as well as help in properly performing the loading and unloading of the vessel to maintain a safe, stable, condition at all times.

Abstract: A vessel with a ballast system including a plurality of ballast tanks provided with pumps for feeding water into the tanks and expelling water therefrom and an air bubbling system including underwater openings and compressors for blowing air through said openings into the water surrounding said vessel. The ballast system and the air bubbling system include a common tube system being alternatively connectable to the ballast tanks, for operating the filling and emptying of the tanks, and to the air bubbling system for conducting air to the underwater openings as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,204.

Abstract: A capsize prevention device for a multihull vessel which may be mounted to an existing vessel or be integrally manufactured therewith. The device includes first and second tubes disposed longitudinally along the lower portion of the keel of the vessel through which seawater flows during the sailing of the vessel. Each of the tubes includes forward and rearward watertight valves. When the valves are open, water is free to flow through the tubes. When the valves are closed, water will be trapped within the tubes, thus adding the mass of the trapped water to the keel. The mass of the water within the tubes serves to prevent capsize about one of the outriggers of the vessel.

Abstract: A craft having a stabilizing device including a triangular, substantially flat, base floor having a bottom on which the craft floats when at rest and forming the top of the stabilizing device, and a V-shaped hull with sides connected to the flat base floor and extending below the bottom of the floor to form the sides of the stabilizing device, with the flat base floor bottom extending from one side to the other side of the V-shaped hull to define a space which extends completely across the bottom of the floor and is fully open at the rear of the craft so that the space is substantially filled with water when the craft is at rest.

Abstract: A planing type boat having a water ballast chamber provided at the bottom of the boat includes a partition wall provided in the water ballast chamber to divide the chamber into front and rear compartments and formed with an opening for communicating these compartments with each other. In the initial stage of planing, the water in the rear compartment is fastly discharged due to a combined action of inertia, gravity and aspiration induced by the outside flow whereas the water in the front compartment which is restricted in its rearward flow by the partition wall structure is discharged relatively slowly as compared with the water in the rear compartment. The weight of the water therefore substantially acts on the front compartment in the initial stage of planing thereby effectively preventing the bow of the boat from being excessively lifted with the result that the time required for entering a complete planing is minimized.

Abstract: A ballast apparatus for aiding in righting a capsized boat comprises a container for holding a quantity of water as ballast and includes a support for securing the container full of water to a person outwardly of the boat for exerting a righting moment thereon. The container is formed of flexible sheet material and is changeable between an opened condition for receiving and holding a quantity of water as ballast and a relatively flat collapsed condition for stowage while not in use on the boat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drydocking method and apparatus including a moment resisting arrangement for maintaining the drydocking device in a substantially horizontal plane while raising or lowering a vessel relative to a surface of a body of water. The drydocking device includes a submersible pontoon having a first side positioned adjacent to a single fixed structure and having an arrangement for selectively introducing air or water into at least one chamber within the pontoon for raising and lowering the pontoon, respectively. The pontoon has a moment resisting arrangement which includes a cable secured to the fixed structure and extending around a first sheave positioned adjacent to the first side of the pontoon. The cable extends across the pontoon and around a second sheave positioned adjacent to a second opposite side of the pontoon to an anchoring arrangement beneath the second side of the pontoon.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of loading cargo-carrying barges into an ocean-going ship having a self-lowering capability and having facility for flooding at least one cargo-carrying space with water up to a Loading Water Line corresponding with the ballasted water line of the ship. The carrying barges are closed against entry of water, and each barge, such as B1, after being floated into the cargo-carrying space, is upended in the water and conveyed into a storage location where it is retained, for example by retaining rails 42,43. In consequence, a relatively large number of barges can be carried in the storage space.

Abstract: In order to make possible a "self-docking" of a floating dock, the dock is divided into a middle pontoon and two end pontoons, which are interconnectable in alternative positions in the vertical direction, so either the middle pontoon, or the end pontoons may be lifted out of the water. The pontoons are held together by bolts, which are accessible from cofferdam-like spaces, formed when two pontoons are fitted together, and which may be maintained watertight. Male and female coupling members are furthermore provided to secure the pontoons in their two operative positions. During a disconnecting and connecting operation the pontoons are guided by rigid link arms, chains or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially reducing the roll and pitch motions of a floating vessel in commonly occurring seas is described. The apparatus comprises a recessed cavity formed in a substantial area of the bottom of the hull of the vessel and has an airblower coupled to the cavity for introducing air into it. The apparatus may include horizontal planes for restoring the effect of the added mass of the water on the stability of the vessel.

Abstract: A heave resonant damper for semisubmersible platforms includes tanks and ducts constructed so that their resonant period approximately equals the resonant heave period of the platform, wherein the ducts have selectively varied cross-sectional area to optimize damping.

Abstract: The trimaran has a lateral hull which is fixed at the end of a beam rotatably mounted on a longitudinal axis, which itself is supported by an outrigger protruding from the central hull. A jack allows the lateral hull to rotate around the axis (arrow). Openings are provided in the lateral hull, in order to fill and flush it. The catamaran can be righted from the capsized position by a rotation of the water-filled side hulls through about 90.degree., because the side hulls then act as ballasted keels. After emptying the lateral hulls and returning the beams to their normal position, navigation may be resumed.

Abstract: A semi-submerged ship having a superstructure supported on struts above a pair of submerged buoyant hulls, the structure being arranged in such a manner that cargo can be stored in or passed through the struts and submerged hulls. Internal structure is minimized by using double walled load bearing construction, with easy access through the struts between the superstructure and the submerged hulls. The arrangement is adaptable to solid or liquid cargo, with provision for circulating liquid and for thermal control when required. The structure can be applied to a wide range of design configurations to suit various size, performance, function and payload requirements.

Abstract: A floating unsinkable nautical craft comprises a hull having a keel portion below the water line and an upper portion. A longitudinally extending passenger compartment is provided at least mostly in the keel portion while a pilot's cockpit and passenger entrance are provided in the upper portion. Longitudinally extending dome-shaped observation windows are provided in the sides of the passenger compartment, the windows being of such length and height as to provide several passengers with an underwater view horizontally and downwards. A separate stabilization and bouyancy structure is connected rigidly to the upper portion of the hull and extends laterally to both sides with flotation and water ballast chambers at the ends. A pump is provided for varying the ballast to vary the draught of the craft.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially reducing the roll and pitch motions of a floating vessel in commonly occurring seas is described. The apparatus comprises a recessed cavity formed in a substantial area on the bottom of the hull of the vessel and has an airblower coupled to the cavity for introducing air into it. The apparatus may include horizontal planes for restoring the effect of the added mass of the water on the stability of the vessel.

Abstract: A system whereby use is made of a double bottom tank, in fluid communication with a bag made of reinforced elastomeric material to provide segregated ballast space in the cargo space of a ship. The double bottom space and bag are filled with ballast water when the cargo space is empty, thereby making use of the cargo space in which the bag is located to carry ballast water in space previously occupied by cargo, without having any cross-contamination of the ballast water by the cargo residues or gases. The outward and upward movement of the bag is restricted by a rigid guide cage. An open, or partially open, topped rigid container is placed around the guide cage to restrict the "free surface effect" of the ballast water in the unlikely event of failure of the ballast bag. A header tank is provided to keep a positive pressure head on the water in the bag when in the ballast condition. A semi-flexible float assists in guiding the bag during ballasting and de-ballasting operations.

Abstract: An improved tanker vessel for carrying a plurality of liquid cargoes each having a specific gravity which is less than that of sea water. The vessel includes a hull comprising a bottom and sides, a top deck, at least one cargo compartment disposed between the top deck and the hull bottom for storing the liquid cargo, and a main liquid cargo charging and discharging system coupled to the cargo compartment for charging and discharging the compartment. The improvement comprises an additional liquid cargo charging and discharging system coupled to the cargo compartment which includes a longitudinal pipe and transversely disposed branch lines coupled to the longitudinal pipe. The branch lines include a suction opening disposed in and opening into the compartment at a distance above the hull bottom which is approximately equal to H(S.sub.w /S.sub.c)-0.10H, where H represents the distance from the bottom of the vessel to its waterline, S.sub.w represents the specific gravity of sea water, and S.sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction dredge barge in which the air chambers (8,9) on either side of the hold (2) can be filled with mud via an overflow (14) at the top edge of the hold (2) said air chambers (8,9) having inclined bottoms (10,11) and discharge openings (12,13) towards the hold at the lower edge of said inclined bottoms (10,11).

Abstract: A seagoing vessel is stabilized by a passive system including tanks symmetrically disposed on the vessel below the water line. The tanks are connected by a conduit and pressurized with air to a selected pressure level. During each oscillatory roll and/or pitch cycle of the vessel, the tanks alternately fill and drain with selected volumes of water to reduce the righting moment of the vessel. The period of oscillation of the vessel is thus lengthened beyond the period of wave motion.

Abstract: A passive near neutral buoyancy platform includes a structure housing a series of gas-filled cells, restrained in their maximum volume regardless of the internal charge pressure, and collapsible in character when external pressure exceeds the charge pressure. With this structure, once a cell having a predetermined initial internal charge pressure reaches a depth where the external pressure exceeds this initial value, that cell contracts, resulting in a net buoyancy change for the structure. Where this series of cells is attached integrally to a single structure, the cells form a pre-loaded compressibility compensation device which is matched to the external environment.

Abstract: Apparatus for warning of the increase in draught of a floating article, especially a small boat, in a surrounding liquid. The apparatus includes a signal emitter and a source of current which are connected, via a relay and a switch, to a release unit. The release unit includes a chamber fixedly arranged relative to the article which communicates with the surrounding liquid. The chamber holds a contact device which is adapted to close an electrical circuit when the liquid has risen to a certain level in the chamber.

Abstract: An adjustable buoyancy apparatus comprises a frame and at least two floating members of variable buoyancy which are pivotally coupled to the frame for pivotable motion in a substantially vertical plane between horizontal positions and maximum elevated positions. In the maximum elevated positions, the angle between the longitudinal axes of the floatable members and the horizontal is less than 90 degrees and the floating members are inclined upwardly toward each other. Locking mechanisms hold the floatable members in the horizontal and maximum elevated positions. This floatable member arrangement compensates for the rolling tendencies of the apparatus and stabilizes the apparatus when the apparatus is partially or completely submerged.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing a liquid additive to the surface of a receding liquid in a pressurized vessel, particularly for automatically dispensing a liquid oil spreading agent to the surface of ballast water contained in a pressurized tank of a cargo carrier having oil based material at least partially floating on the surface thereof.

Abstract: A small watercraft including a hull of longitudinally elongated shape having a deck in its upper part, and an engine for thrusting the watercraft forwardly. The hull is formed in the forward and rearward portions of its lower part with water accommodation compartments formed with a plurality of openings for water to flow therethrough into and out of the compartments. When the watercraft is at rest, water flows into the water accommodation compartments through the openings to stabilize the hull. When the watercraft is cruising, the water in the water accommodation compartments is released therefrom through the openings, so that the watercraft lightly cruises.

Abstract: In order to transfer a fluid from a station on the sea bed for a vessel or vice versa, a discharging/loading buoy comprising coupling apparatus for fluid flow is placed in a submerged state and fixed in this state with anchoring apparatus. A vessel is brought and held in position above the buoy by means of dynamic positioning. Then the coupling apparatus for the fluid flow is connected to a coupling section on the vessel.

Abstract: A ballast pumping system for pumping water ballast to or from a plurality of ship ballast tanks, having a submerged pump located in one of the ballast tanks and a sea chest provided in the ballast tank together with the pump. Piping interconnects the pump and the sea chest, and also connects the pump to each of the bottoms of the ballast tanks.

Abstract: A tanker having a bow part, a stern part, and a midship tank part between them with a inner bottom therein. The midship tank part is divided by bulkheads into cargo tanks above the inner bottom, segregated deep ballast tanks at the same level as the cargo tanks, and segregated double bottom ballast tanks under the inner bottom.

Abstract: A stabilized life raft utilizing a fluid filled depending buoy chamber for overall stabilization and including as improved features thereon a peripheral skirt chamber which fills with the raft supporting fluid upon deployment of the raft and serves as a temporary stabilizer while the buoy chamber becomes filled. The buoy chamber includes baffles to impede the flow of the stabilizing fluid from one portion of the chamber to another in the event of a sudden weight shift within the raft. An improved valve permits a more rapid inward flow of fluid upon deployment of the raft and yet prevents outward flow in instances where the buoyant raft is suddenly thrust upwardly by elements such as waves. The raft, because of the particular placement of the various structural elements in conjunction with the placement of the survival gear and inflation system, is automatically self-righting.

Abstract: A semi-submersible vessel is disclosed in which a side wall which is continuous in the horizontal direction connects an underwater buoyant pontoon hull to an operating deck located above the water surface. In operation the side wall is subject to moderate cyclic fatigue stresses only, thereby increasing the useful life of the vessel.