Abstract: A ship for use at high speed and/or heavy seas having a single long and slender hull, a sharp bow and the aft end of the hull has a flat or slightly V-shaped bottom with at least one aft rudder, and at least one propeller or water jet for propulsion whereby the foreship has a draught that is equal or more than the draught of the aft end. The bow has a control surface that converts the water flow along the forward moving ship into an adjustable lateral force.

Abstract: A tension leg platform includes a deck supported on the upper ends of three or more columns interconnected at the lower ends thereof by horizontally disposed pontoons. The columns are battered inwardly and upwardly from the pontoons to the deck. Tendons connected at the columns anchor the platform to the seabed. The footprints of the base of the battered columns and the tendons are larger than the footprint of the deck supported on the upper ends of the columns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating structure to receive maritime production or drilling installations that is provided with means to reduce movement caused by the action of environmental forces on it. These means confer a more stable behavior on the structure's movements.

Abstract: A watercraft is disclosed that includes a hull having port and starboard sides and a propulsion system that generates a stream of pressurized water through a nozzle. A helm operatively connects to the nozzle, whereby turning the helm turns the nozzle. At least one rudder connects to either or both of the port or starboard sides. The rudder is capable of pivoting inwardly and outwardly and can also be moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the side to which it is connected. The rudder is located a certain distance from the respective side of the hull, which allows the rudder to utilize its inner and outer surfaces to assist in steering the watercraft by deflecting water flowing thereacross. Also, a linking element can connect the nozzle to the rudder. An off-power steering system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved steering system for a water craft and an improved method of steering. The steering system includes at least two variable camber plates or rudders mounted to a hull of the water craft for imparting a steering force to the water craft. Each of the variable camber plates is preferably formed from a flexible material and has a leading edge affixed to the hull. A linkage mechanism is attached to a steering device on the water craft and causes at least one of the plates to move relative to the hull and thereby vary the camber of the at least one plate.

Abstract: A system for propelling and steering a watercraft is provided that includes a pair of electric motor propulsion units provided aft of a transverse centerline of the watercraft hull. A rudder is provided forward of the transverse centerline. The propulsion units may be driven to provide resultant thrust to navigate the watercraft in desired directions, automatically or in response to operator command inputs. The rudder, which may be extendable and retractable, may also be angularly positionable. Where angular positioning is provided, the orientation of the rudder may also be controlled in cooperation with the propulsion units to provide reactive forces by impingement of the rudder against the water, thereby enhancing the steering offered by the propulsion units.

Abstract: A stabilizer plate is provided that protrudes below the surface of the water when connected to a downwardly extending shaft and extends rearwardly from the stern of the boat. An adjustable handle/bracket connected to the downwardly extending shaft connects the stabilizer plate to the boat transom.

Abstract: A retractable rudder assembly for use in steering a personal watercraft is disclosed. The rudder assembly includes at least one planar rudder operably coupled to an elongate shaft rotatably mounted on a water jet drive nozzle. The rudder is biased into a normally extended position in which the rudder extends away from the water jet drive nozzle for use in steering the watercraft at a throttle-off position. A paddle is affixed to the shaft and is positioned within a water jet flow path defined within the water jet nozzle so that the force of a water jet passed therethrough and striking the paddle at a throttle-on position urges the rudder into a retracted position with respect to the water jet drive nozzle. When the water jet drive is moved into the throttle-off position, the rudder is biased into its extended position for use in steering the watercraft.

Abstract: A fin with trailing edge fixed flaps for ships, characterized in that it is made of a main fin (1) to which are associated one or several pairs of fixed flaps (2a and 2b) of mean camber.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the draft and increasing the load bearing area and stability of a Marine drilling barge may be temporarily or permanently mounted to the barge. The apparatus includes twin parallel hulls separated by and connected to a tension resistant truss, a support frame mounted to the twin parallel hulls, compression resistant members connected to the support frame that span between the parallel hulls, and pumps to remove water ballast from the hulls so that the apparatus can be raised and lowered in the water. The apparatus is submerged, the barge to be modified is then situated between the submerged apparatus hulls, the ballast is then removed from the submerged hulls to emerge the apparatus and lift the barge. When connected to the barge the apparatus provides a reduction in barge draft. The apparatus and barge may then be moved in combination and submerged together as a single unit. When submerged the apparatus provides additional bottom load bearing surface area and stability.

Abstract: A rudder sleeve for enlarging the surface area of a boat rudder includes first and second stainless steel plates having four side edges defining first and second opposed major hydrodynamic surfaces. The rudder sleeve has a substantially rectilinear periphery. The first and second plates are secured together around the periphery of three of the four side edges by welding to define a narrow pocket between the first and second plates enclosed on three side edges.An open side edge is provided for placing the boat rudder into the pocket. Fastening bolts are provided for being extended through the first and second plates and the boat rudder from side-to-side to fasten the rudder sleeve to the boat rudder.

Abstract: A sailing boat model adapted for exhibition and for actual sailing on water includes a hull, a keel provided on a bottom portion of a midship of the hull to extend downward from the hull, a rudder provided on a bottom portion of a stern of the hull, a mast provided on the hull to extend upward from the hull, sails connected to the mast, the hull, the keel, the rudder, the mast and the sails having relative dimensions which simulate an actual sailing boat, and a balancing weight comprising an auxiliary keel including a keel body to be detachable attached to and extend downward from the bottom of the hull and a balancing mass provided on a lower end portion of the keel body for up-and-down movement relative to the keel body.

Abstract: Apparatus for raising submerged vessels including a ship having a dual hull section. A winch attached to cables threaded through support structures are provided on the dual hull section. Vessel support bars are mounted onto each the dual hulls and are adapted to be swung under the submerged vessel when it is raised to a position between the two hulls so that the raised vessel is retained in position between the two hulls.

Abstract: Wind-Propelled craft including a transport carrying a sail and including a support vehicle pulled by the transport. The support vehicle is pivotally secured to the transport. The transport and sail turn as one unit relative to the support vehicle about an axis so that the transport can assume any number of angles relative to the support vehicle. The transport and support vehicle operate with high capsize resistance for all headings of the wind.