Abstract: A drain system is provided for a marine vessel in which three types of drain operations can be performed at one common location near the transom of the marine vessel. A multiple conduit structure is provided with a plurality of fluid passages extending at least partially through its structure. A first fluid passage allows the bilge of the boat to be drained. A second fluid passage allows multiple locations on the engine to be drained through a common port. A second sealing plug is provided to close the second passageway that prevents fluid communication between the various fluid conduits used to drain the cooling water of the engine. A third fluid passage is provided through the multiple conduit structure to allow lubricating oil to be drained from the engine.

Abstract: A through-hull fitting for use on water-craft that allows for contained environment discharge of bilge material. The through hull fitting is a hollow tube, outwardly threaded and ribbed at the inner-hull end, and inwardly threaded at the outer hull end. A threaded lock nut is used to secure the inner-hull end against the inner hull, and the mushroom head of the outer end secures the fitting against the outer hull. The inwardly threaded portion of the fitting allows for an oppositely threaded coupling, such as that found on the male end of a standard garden hose.

Abstract: A RIB (22), rigid-hull inflatable boat, includes an inflatable tube (24) having a general U shape with a forward end (26) at the bight of the U and trailing sides (28, 30) extending rearwardly therefrom along the legs of the U, and a molded plastic hull (32) within the tube and attached thereto. The hull has a lower surface (42), an upwardly facing deck (44), a transom (38), and a drain (40) through the transom. The deck has drainage channels (48, 54, 62, 70, 72) forming gutters channeling water to the drain. A removable floor insert (92) is detachably mounted to the deck and covers the drainage channels. Transom construction (120, 122) permits flexure.

Abstract: A bilge pump for removing water from a personal watercraft such as a kayak or a decked canoe that has a hull and a deck attached to the hull forming a cockpit opening for an operator includes a pumping device secured within the hull and below the deck. A pickup is also located within the hull and is fluidly coupled to the pumping device. An operating handle is positioned proximate the cockpit opening and is coupled to the pumping device to operate the pumping device.

Abstract: Several embodiments of bilge devices for small watercraft that permit the use of small capacity bilge pumps and which ensure that the bilge pumps will not run dry during abrupt maneuvers are disclosed. This result is obtained by using a trap-like device that permits water to accumulate from the bilge but which restricts the escape of the water during abrupt maneuvers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clearing fumes from an engine compartment by providing a pressure switch which is activated when a pressure sensor responds to increased pressure when a boat is at rest or traveling at a wakeless speed in water. When the electrical system of the boat is activated and an inlet tube at the rear of the boat is below the surface of the water, water is able to rapidly enter the inlet tube. Pressure is generated by the presence of water within the inlet tube. Closing the pressure switch results in electrical energy being coupled to the bilge blower to thereby clear the fumes from the engine compartment.In contrast, when the boat increases its speed to the point where it is planing, the boat is virtually skimming along the surface of the water.

Abstract: A drip control marine fitting for passage of liquid through an opening in the hull of a marine vessel has a hollow tube extending through an opening through the hull, a flange attached to the tube and an opening through the flange to allow flow of fluid out of the vessel. The flange has a first surface abutting the outer surface of the hull and a second surface facing away from the outer surface of the hull. The first surface of the flange has a smaller surface area than the second surface of said flange. A diagonal surface interconnects the first and second surfaces, the lower part of the diagonal surface extending outwardly and downwardly from the first surface to the second surface to inhibit flow of liquid from the passage to the outer surface of the hull.

Abstract: A watersprite has a modified inner hull liner and an automatic liquid bailing system to reduce chemical deterioration of the inner hull liner and eventually other components of the watersprite. The inner hull liner provides a dam for water and/or spilled fuel so that the liquid accumulates at least temporarily at a location above the waterline for the watersprite. The accumulated liquid is immediately drained through a self-bailing pipe to the outside environment. The inlet for the self draining pipe is located in the vicinity of the bottom of the dam, which defines a low spot for the inner hull liner. In addition, the bilge volume between the inner hull liner and the outer hull assembly is completely filled with closed-cell flotation foam. The closed-cell flotation foam in the bilge volume helps to prevent water and/or spilled fuel from chemically attacking the hull and/or hull stiffeners in case the inner hull liner develops a leak.

Abstract: The invention is a flush valve for a water-cooled, marine outboard engine having a flush orifice. The flush valve includes a valve body having an engine attachment end and a flush water source end. The valve body has a channel between the engine end and the source end. The engine end of the valve body can be affixed into the flush orifice of the engine. The flush valve also includes a means for obstructing a discharge flow of cooling liquid from the engine end of the hollow valve body.

Abstract: An automatic bailer is used to remove water from an open vessel such as a whitewater canoe. The bailer utilizes a submersible pump that is connected to a power supply through flexible connections. These flexible connections allow flexural movement between the pump and the power supply which may be due to flexure of the floor of the vessel to which the bailer is securely yet removably attached or which may be a result of variations in vessel floor contours or configurations.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which allows water-lift mufflers, silencers or suppressors to be fully flushed, while in or out of the water, without running the engines. The device can be mounted between a remote access panel or control panel and a conventional fresh water flush valve. Fresh water flow provides fluid power to a primary section impeller or turbine, where power is then mechanically transmitted to an evacuation or secondary section impeller or turbine through a shaft on which both impellers mount. The inlet section of the secondary section impeller connects by hose to the drain plug universally present on marine engine mufflers, silencers and suppressors. The outlet section of the secondary section impeller connects by hose to an overboard drain. Fresh water, having sufficient flow and pressure, applied to the device drives the primary section impeller, causing the impeller to rotate.

Abstract: Several embodiments of bilge devices for small watercraft that permit the use of small capacity bilge pumps and which ensure that the bilge pumps will not run dry during abrupt maneuvers are disclosed. This result is obtained by using a trap-like device that permits water to accumulate from the bilge but which restricts the escape of the water during abrupt maneuvers.

Abstract: A water-removal assembly for removing accumulated water from the bilge of a hull of a watercraft that includes a jet propulsion unit with an impeller. The water-removal assembly includes a water pickup provided in the engine compartment. A means for removing water from the engine compartment and preventing water from entering and syphoning into the engine compartment is connected to the water filter by a first conduit. The conduit connects the water removing and preventing means to a water discharge point in the jet propulsion unit so that water is pumped from the bilge. The water removing and preventing means includes a check valve that allows water to flow in one direction so that water is prevented from entering the bilge. A weep hole is provided in the water removing and preventing means to prevent syphoning from occurring in the water-removal assembly.

Abstract: A bilge pump control system for a personal watercraft which allows for the continuous pumping of the bilge whenever the vessel's engine is operating, but which also permits an operator to activate the bilge pump upon command even when the engine is not operating.

Abstract: A ship typically is constructed with an outer hull, and an inner hull which defines the usable space of the ship. Between the outer hull, and the inner hull, the ship will generally have a low point, or bilge, for collection of any water which gets onto the ship. Therefore, one of the chambers of the ship can preferably be outfitted with processing equipment for cleaning the bilge water. The apparatus and associated method for cleaning the bilge water generally involves at least a gravity separation in a gravity separation chamber to separate at least some oil from the bilge water. Since a gravity separation is generally not sufficient to produce environmentally safe water, the ship can also be equipped with a further filtering arrangement for further processing of the bilge water.

Abstract: An automatic valve is attached to the lower edge of the transom of a boat. The valve is a short tubular device that is aligned with a hole in the transom and mounted on the transom in a substantially horizontal plane, in a watertight manner. The inner end of the device may follow the slope of the transom. However, a cap, hinged at its top, covers and seals the outer end of the device, and the bottom of the outer end projects out beyond the top to provide enough slope for the cap to be held by gravity against the outer end. This closes the valve against water pressure from the outside, but allows bilge water to flow out when there is no external pressure. The valve may be, normally, under water, but can drain the bilge when the hull is out of water, or moving quickly enough through the water to clear the transom.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion unit in which water is drawn off of the jet propulsion unit through a tap for other purposes, such as pumping the bilge with a jet pump or delivering coolant to the engine. A filter element which can be easily serviced is positioned in the conduit for precluding small particles which could clog the conduit from entering the conduit.

Abstract: An improved alerting system and method of manufacture and assembly for boats that contacts boat owners at a remote location to pending danger of water rising within the boat and permits the boat owner to contact the system to determine the rate of water rising.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of cooling systems for marine propulsion units having water cooled internal combustion engines in which the cooling jacket of the engine is at least partially positioned below the level of the water in which the watercraft is operating. The described embodiments all permit draining of the engine cooling jacket when it is not being run. In some embodiments, the drain valve also controls the communication of the coolant from the body of water in which the watercraft is operating with the engine cooling jacket. Various types of pumping arrangements are disclosed for pumping the bilge and automatic valve operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for collecting water and channelling it into a boat livewell circulation system comprising a housing which comprises a pivotal and/or extendable scoop, an intake channel, and a pressure valve, which housing is secured to a mounting device which comprises an intake port and a connection element to connect the device to a boat livewell circulation system, which device is operable when the boat is running or idle.

Abstract: A high capacity emergency bilge pump employs an inclined axial flow propeller in a tubular casing for discharging bilge water to a body of receiving water at a level submerged below the surface of the body of receiving water. The propeller of the bilge pump is driven by an outboard motor.

Abstract: A bilge pump bracket of generally an "L" shape allows the bilge pump and float switch to be mounted outside of the bilge area, usually in the workshop. The base of the bracket has a location thereon where the pump is to be mounted. In addition, the base also has a raised float switch platform which provides for assurances that the pump will shut off when bilge water is below a predetermined level. Further, the bracket, when made of plastic, can be molded to fit the hull of a vessel by slightly heating the bracket angle to conform to any angle of the vessel's transom area.

Abstract: A boat has enclosed flotation within a closed bilge or floor of the boat, which is internally raised so that the interior floor of the vessel is slightly above the normal operating water line level of the vessel. The boat has bilge drain valves of a size considerably increased over the one or two square inch drains typified in the prior art. The size of these drain valves is such that, when opened, they represent a significant portion of the transom area being opened to the sea. Spring closure or manual actuation of the valve prevents the ready passage of water into the interior of the boat during heavy waves, especially during following seas which might tend to trigger a flapper operated drain valve. In combination this provides a boat that, if swamped will, even when fully loaded, have sufficient buoyancy to raise itself so that no portion of the bilge is below the water line and with the oversized valves open will have sufficient flow rate that it will rise faster than it can be reswamped.

Abstract: The boat sinking warning device is hermetically sealed box, to be permanently installed in the bilge area of a boat, to give an audio frequency or radio frequency warning if a boat is leaking. It comprises two externally exposed conductive terminals, and an electronic circuit to sense the presence of water across these terminals and thereby continually sound an audio alarm or radiate a radio-frequency signal to a remote facility.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for a marine vessel has a housing with first, second, and third ports and a valve member within the housing. The housing is mounted to the hull of the vessel with the first port communicating with the body of water outside of the vessel. The third port is connected to the cooling system of an engine in the vessel and the second port is closed by a quick-release plug. The valve member is movable to open and close communication with the outside. During normal operation, water is drawn through the structure into the engine cooling system and is discharged overboard. In an emergency, the plug can be removed and the valve member moved to a 90.degree. position in which communication with the outside is closed, allowing the engine to draw water from within the hull and discharge it overboard. The structure can also be used with a service adapter for engine flushing and other maintenance.

Abstract: A easy open bailer attachment which provides a way of opening a bailer in one lift of the bailer lever. When lifting the lever it presses against a crossbar attachment and opens the bailer. The crossbar attachment gives the bailer lever an open and closed position feel. The crossbar attachment also give the bailer lever a specific position which verifies that the bailer opened correctly.

Abstract: The remotely operated linear actuated valve includes a sleeve open at one end with radial ports about the sleeve. A valve seat is disposed between the open end and the ports. A valve member is slidable axially in the sleeve. Slots are formed through the sleeve and valve member to receive a guide for a cam, the valve member carrying a cam follower. By linearly displacing the cam in a direction normal to the axial direction, the valve member is moved between valve closed and valve open positions. A cap is releasably secured on the sleeve whereby ready and quick disassembly and reassembly of the valve elements may be effected.

Abstract: A system for marking unauthorized discharge of bilge waste, including a supply for containing a dye tracer product within the confines of a vessel, an interface line for adding the dye product via a flow line to the overboard discharge line of a marine vessel, valve controller for valving the flow of dye product between the supply tank and the vessel overboard discharge line, an activator for activating the valve controller responsive to the sensing of a preset level of waste products being discharged via the overboard discharge line so that unauthorized discharge of waste material from the vessel's bilge via the overboard discharge line automatically activates the valve controller to mix a dye product contained within the supply tank with the unauthorized fluid discharge.

Abstract: A drain valve for a vessel having a bilge (4) which is elevated above external water level when the vessel is floating in unladen condition. The valve comprises a drain cylinder (1) located in a drain port (2) and attached at its upper end to the bilge; the cylinder axially containing a spindle bearing (14) in which is slideably located a spindle (20) of a buoyant closure member (32) engageable with the lower end of the cylinder. Opening and closing of the valve is controlled by the pressure differential existing between external and internal water levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a remotely operated valve for closing and opening a conduit in communication with the interior of a boat to preclude water from entering or leaving the boat except when desired by the operator by the boat. The valve has application either as a means for keeping fresh water in the live well of the boat or as a means for bailing unwanted water from the interior of the boat. The valve has a main housing including a tapered bore and openings in communication with an interior water retaining portion of the boat and the exterior of the boat. A spring-urged tapered valve element having a passageway therein is mounted within the tapered bore of the main housing and is rotatable between first and second positions to bring the passageway of the valve element into and out of alignment with the openings in the main housing.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of the invention wherein bilge water is discharged by means of a venturi pump and the discharge is upwardly directed externally of the watercraft to provide a spray that will indicate the watercraft location.

Abstract: A pump assembly has a housing with water admitting openings through the housing near the bottom. A pump in the housing has an intake near the bottom. A water level sensor connects the pump to a battery in the housing when the level rises above the pump intake, to operate the pump. Closed cell foam flotation floats the assembly to permit pumping from a pool of any depth greater than one third the height of the housing. Flotation also is arranged to achieve self-righting of the assembly in the event of inadvertent tipping or upset.

Abstract: An assembly for a boat having an internal combustion engine which uses sea water as its coolant and a bilge which collects sea water. The assembly comprises a Y-shaped pipe whose tail is connected to the water pump of the internal combustion engine, a first manually operable on-off valve for controlling the flow of sea water into the water pump located in one arm of the Y-shaped pipe, a second manually operable on-off valve for controlling the flow of an alternative source of water into the water pump located in the second arm of the Y-shaped pipe, and a length of flexible hose attached to the end of the second arm of the Y-shaped pipe, the free end of said hose being alternatively connectable to a source of fresh water or to the sea water in the bilge. The assembly may include a switch mounted on the Y-shaped pipe whenever the on-off valve between the engine's water pump and the hose leading to the sea is closed.

Abstract: A number of embodiments for removing bilge water from a jet powered watercraft without obstructing the flow through the jet propulsion unit. In all of the embodiments, a portion of the water pressurized by the jet propulsion unit is diverted through a venturi section and the reduced pressure at the throat of the venturi section is used for drawing the bilge water. In many of the embodiments, the bilge water discharge opening is located so that bubbles will appear to the operator when the watercraft is in an idling mode for indicating to the operator that the bilge has been cleared of water. In one embodiment, the bilge water is discharge into the exhaust system of the engine for aiding in exhaust cooling.

Abstract: A marine safety system comprising a first switch adapted to be activated by rising water in a ship's hull, and solenoid valves adapted to be operated by the switch and adapted to close sea cocks in the hull of the ship in a preferred sequence.

Abstract: A quick drain device for an inboard boat engine, especially an engine of the type having a water jacket to which a plurality of drain cocks are connected through which the engine coolant must be drained after each use of the engine. The quick drain device is in the form of a barrel having a plurality of lateral tube radiating therefrom. An expandable stopper is received within the barrel and covers the ends of the tubes and thereby prevents flow therethrough. The other ends of the lateral tubes are connected to the drain cocks or drain plugs located on the engine block. Removal to the expandable stopper simultaneously drains all of the drain plugs.

Abstract: A system for employing the propulsion system of a boat for bilge pumping. A tube surrounds the submerged propeller of the boat and extends forwardly to an inlet beneath the boat. An opening through the hull of the boat is provided in communication with the tube. A door controls communication between the hull and tube and alternatively between the inlet and the tube. A float within the hull controls the door depending on the level of water within the hull. A flow sensor locks the door in the closed position when flow is not experienced through the tube to the propeller.

Abstract: An automatic boat drain for siphoning water from the interior of a boat, the drain including a flow tube secured to the exterior of the boat transom with the inlet end of the flow tube being below the water surface and oriented so that water is forced to flow through the flow tube as the boat moves forward above a minimum speed, the outlet end of the flow tube being above the water surface, an entraining tube having the inlet end adjacent the interior bottom of the boat, and a venturi forming connection positioned above the water surface connecting the entraining tube outlet end to the flow tube adjacent to and spaced from the flow tube outlet end whereby as the boat moves through water the flow of water forced through the flow tube will produce a venturi effect to drain water from the boat interior while the venturi positioned above the water surface prevents the possibility of water being siphoning into the boat.

Abstract: A stream of water is caused to move through a duct carried within the hull of a water craft and is discharged as a jet in a direction which is non-directional to the craft. The jet is redirected, as by a plate or nozzle, to impart movement to the craft in a selected direction.

Abstract: In a sea vessel having a bilge pump energized in response to bilge water level, an operating parameter of the bilge pump, such as on-time or water output, is monitored and compared with a normal or expected reference value of the parameter to indirectly detect leakage into the bilge. The reference value may be manually set by the operator or may be automatically set in response to circuitry for obtaining the running average of the parameter previously monitored. In one embodiment, an alarm is triggered if the reference is exceeded by the monitored parameter indicative of excessive leakage. In a second embodiment, the monitored parameter is compared with two references. A first alarm at the vessel is triggered if the monitored bilge pump parameter is above the first reference indicating slightly excessive leakage into the bilge whereas a second alarm, which may be remote, is triggered if the monitored parameter is above the second, higher reference indicating grossly excessive leakage.

Abstract: A semi-automatic boiler plug assembly having a mounting plate with a central hole aligned with a bailer hole on a boat transom is described. Attached to the mounting plate is a cylinder and piston therein made of a resilient material which seats in the central hole of the mounting plate in a closed position. Two arms extending to either side of the piston, and through slots on opposite sides of the cylinder, guide the piston in its travel back and forward in the cylinder. Immediately behind the piston is a spring to bias the piston forward in the cylinder toward the closed position. On the outside of the cylinder are two hinge plates attached to the piston by guide arms and by hinge pins that pass through a hole in the hinge plates and into the piston guide arms. Formed onto the outboard side of the hinge plates are hollow chambers which form floats.

Abstract: A catamaran boat having hollow mast and hulls is provided with a system comprising a manually operable pneumatic pump and flexible conduits communicating between the pump and the interiors of the hollow mast and hulls, whereby the interiors can be pressurized to drive water therefrom through an ejection device provided with check valves. The removal of water not only lightens the weight of the boat for securement of greater speed, but enables the boat to be righted if capsized in a turtle position.

Abstract: A method and system for dispersing oil in the event of an oil leak into a body of water from an oil tanker or an oil drilling platform. There is provided structure for detecting the existence of a leak from a container of oil generally surrounded by a body of water into which the oil is leaking; structure for storing an oil dispersant at the site of the leak; and structure responsive to the occurrence of the leak, for automatically causing the dispersant to be released from the containment structure into the leaking oil. In an oil tanker, the system and method may be implemented by providing structure for detecting a leak in the oil tank wall, suspending a container of dispersant inside the oil tank, and providing structure for rupturing the dispersant container in response to the detection of a leak so that dispersant is caused to mix with the oil in the tank before the oil leaks therefrom.

Abstract: When loading a loading space 2 of a dredging vessel 1 with sand the head er 5 is removed from the loading space 2 by means of more than one siphon 12 and is conducted away into the water stream 26 moving around the vessel 1. This head water can be polluted with much sludge or another pollutant.In order to reduce pollution of the environment with the aid of effluent means which are not very expensive and which can be easily adjusted, said effluent means comprises in accordance with the invention a tubular sheath 24, inside which is telescopically arranged a level-adjustable common outlet conduit 21 which can be withdrawn into said tubular sheath and be brought out thereof to a considerable distance below the vessel 1 respectively, and which is connected with coupled conduits 16, 19, 18 of more than one siphon 12.

Abstract: A semi-automatic bailer plug assembly for attachment to the transom of a boat having a bail hole therein for receiving the bailer plug assembly is described. The bailer plug is normally spring biased into a closed position to plug the bail hole until it is manually retracted by a plunger disposed in opposition to the spring. When the plunger is pulled back and the boat transom is out of the water, a pair of stop members engage the plug and hold the plug in an open position permitting the boat to be drained of water. The stop members are coupled to a pair of float members. When the transom of the boat is placed in the water a buoyant force acting against the floats releases the spring biased plunger from engagement with the stop members and permits the bailer plug to automatically close the bail hole in the boat transom.

Abstract: A control device for automatically operating a bilge pump is located in a receptacle having, in its side wall, holes at a level below the predetermined level of liquid at which the control device is designed to start the pump automatically, and having an inlet through which liquid can be introduced into the receptacle at a greater rate than it can flow out through the holes, so that the liquid can rise to said predetermined level to effect testing of the control device and the pump.

Abstract: A craft, especially an inflatable dinghy, having a manually operable baler ystem comprising a flexible tube passing through the floor of the craft, a funnel mouth to the free end of the tube, and a non-return valve disposed to prevent water entering the craft by the tube, the tube being long enough to permit the funnel to be raised above the normal outside water level when the craft is floating loaded.

Abstract: A pair of generally cylindrical inflatable bodies are provided for transverse disposition beneath the bow and stern bottom portions of a boat equipped with a transom drain opening and internal flotation. Straps are attached to the ends of the inflatable bodies and extend upwardly along the corresponding sides of the boat and across the upper surfaces thereof and are joined together in order to strap the inflatable bodies in position beneath the bow and stern bottom portions of the boat. The bodies may be inflated after being secured in position in order to buoy the boat to an elevated position above its normal floating position and the transom drain opening may be thereafter opened to allow any rain water or wave spray entering the boat to automatically drain therefrom through the transom drain opening.

Abstract: A forced aerating apparatus for an inboard live well positioned within a fishing boat. The apparatus includes a water pipe having an intake end positioned outwardly of the boat below the water line. The water pipe has a discharge end positioned within the boat adjacent the well for supplying water thereto. A water aerator is provided on the discharge end of the water pipe. A water pump is mounted exteriorly of the well and is connected to the water pipe for selectively pumping water from outside the boat through the water aerator during the periods that the boat is not traveling through the water. Water is automatically supplied to the live well when the boat is traveling through the water. The apparatus also includes means for powering the pump.

Abstract: The portable water bailing device of the present invention includes a housing having a plurality of openings therein adjacent the lower end thereof. Within the housing is a water pump connected to a tube for directing the water from the bottom of the boat outwardly over the edges thereof. The water pump is driven by a direct current motor which is connected in series with a battery. Also in series with the battery and motor is a limit switch which is actuated by a float within the housing. As the water rises within the housing, the float actuates the switch which in turn actuates the pump.