Abstract: An amphibious vehicle (1), which may be a military amphibious vehicle, having a hull (2) which accommodates the crew of the vehicle, and a flow duct (10) extending through the hull (2) and having a water jet drive (12) arranged therein for driving the vehicle (1) on water, wherein at least one end (11) of the flow duct (10) can be closed off by an anti-mine element (14) when the vehicle is travelling on land. A method for operating an amphibious vehicle (1), which may be a military amphibious vehicle, having a hull (2) which accommodates the crew of the vehicle, a flow duct (10) which extends through the hull (2), and a water jet drive (12) arranged therein for driving the vehicle (1) on water, includes closing off at least one end (11) of the flow duct (10) by an anti-mine element (14) when the vehicle is travelling on land.

Abstract: A lateral thruster for a vessel with a housing (1), at least one electric motor (2, 2?) fitted in the housing (1) and at least one transverse propeller (13) acting transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis (3) of the vessel (5) is additionally provided with at least one longitudinal propeller (21) acting in a direction of the longitudinal axis (3) of the vessel (5).

Abstract: In a thruster for a vessel including a hull, the thruster comprises at least one tunnel element and at least one thruster unit. The tunnel element includes at least a part of a through tunnel in the hull when arranged in the hull. The at least one thruster unit and the at least one tunnel element include cooperating fastening devices for detachably fixing the at least one thruster unit in the at least one tunnel element such that the at least one thruster unit is configured to be passed through the tunnel and mounted to the at least one tunnel element, or demounted from the at least one tunnel element and passed out of the tunnel. A method for mounting and demounting a thruster in a tunnel element includes a tunnel element arranged in the vessel of a hull.

Abstract: A method and an assembly/disassembly arrangement for a tunnel thruster unit includes a thruster unit and a tunnel, a first attachment arrangement for fitting of said thruster unit to the tunnel and at least one further attachment arrangement for safe fitting of the thruster unit in the tunnel. A further attachment arrangement is in the form of a first interface device fixedly attached to and protruding from attached to the inside of the tunnel wall and a second interface device fixedly attached to the thruster unit.

Abstract: A propulsion and steering system for reducing water mounding along and under a bow and hull of a mono-hull ship thereby enhancing displacement of water by the hull and permitting increase of the beam to length ratio of the ship comprising two or more thrust chambers, each of the thrust chambers passing lengthwise through the hull below a waterline of the ship, each of the thrust chambers having an open bow end and an open stern end, and a bow of the ship configured to channel water into the bow ends of the thrust chambers. Preferred configurations of the bow are disclosed. A propeller or turbine thruster is preferably positioned in each of the thrust chambers for propelling water through the thrust chamber.

Abstract: A combined propulsion and steering system for motor boats with inboard engines comprises a propeller shaft projecting from the lower part of the transom of the boat and carrying a semi-submerged propeller screw which is enclosed by an arch-like deflector tunnel extending over and to the sides of the said propeller screw and turnable about a substantially vertical axis. The ratio (L/D) between the distance (L) from the rear part of the propeller screw to the lower rear part of the transom hull and the outer diameter (D) of the propeller screw lies between 0.8 and 1.8. There is also provided an engine exhaust gas duct, forwardly of said propeller screw.

Abstract: An improved boat thruster system including a pump for drawing water through an inlet in the boat hull and for discharging water through outlets on both sides of the hull. The improved system includes a plurality of substantially planar vanes mounted in the water flow path proximate to said outlets. The vanes function to reduce swirl angle components in the water flow and thus increase thrust efficiency and to prevent the ingestion of water borne debris into the outlets.