Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine vessel, with a control panel movably mounted to the vessel.

Abstract: A docking mechanism comprises first and second units, operative to firmly attach and release a watercraft such as a ferry boat to a dock. This action can be produced by actuators that may be hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, or by other means such as manually actuated levers, electric motors or solenoids. A moveable locking piston acts to push locking cylinders or other locking members such as movable links against watercraft lock channels mounted upon the watercrafts. The apparatus results in very firm coupling of a watercraft to the dock, beneficially permitting ferry boats to load and unload cargo without keeping their engines running which wastes fuel and pollutes the environment. The lock channels on the watercraft are however configured to permit relative vertical motion between the watercraft and the latching assembly to account for water level changes and yet maintain very firm coupling of the watercraft to the dock.

Abstract: A vertical damping system for a plurality of water vessels for diminishing the relative vertical movement between two or more water vessels moored in a skin-to-skin orientation. The vertical damping system may include one or more vertical damping devices, each device pivotally connected to a side portion of a first vessel and detachably connecting to a side portion of a second vessel. The vertical damping device may be a piston/cylinder arrangement and the damping system may involve more than two water vessels. The vertical damping system counteracts the effect of roll motion on water vessels, thereby enabling ship-to-ship functions such as cargo loading and the like.

Abstract: An express docking system and its method of use, wherein the system comprises: an engaging rod assembly comprising an engaging rod subassembly attachable to a boating vessel, wherein the engaging rod subassembly comprises an engaging rod in communication with a main frame; a mooring assembly comprising: a mounting subassembly attached to a dock; a carriage subassembly slidably engaged with the mounting subassembly; an actuating subassembly mounted to the carriage subassembly; and a jaw subassembly comprising a first jaw opposite to a second jaw; wherein the engaging rod is disposable between the first and second jaws.

Abstract: System for transferring fluids between a floating installation (10) and a tanker (30), wherein the floating installation is permanently moored (31, 32) to the seabed (1), and comprising a buoy (20) being moored (21A, 21B) to the seabed and connected to the installation through a first mooring line (12A) and a first fluid transfer line (12B). Buoy (20) is adapted to be connected to the tanker (30) through a second mooring line (32A) and a second fluid transfer line (32B), and the buoy (20) is immersed in the sea in its normal operative position and is provided with a swivel for the second mooring line (32A) and the second fluid transfer line (32B).

Abstract: The invention is a guide to facilitate boat docking. The guide is a plate attached to the dock, angling away from the slip opening. Attached to the plate are rails which absorb energy and minimize friction when contact occurs while docking. Structural members attached to the plate allow its attachment to the dock, and support the plate against bending when boats contact the rails. Guides are typically attached to docks on each side of the slip, to facilitate docking with minimal effort, providing a wide opening which narrows as the boat enters the slip, directing the boat into the slip.

Abstract: An interconnection apparatus between a riverboat and a shuttleboat is disclosed that provides for the equalization of the vertical distances between the deck surfaces of the riverboat and a shuttleboat docked alongside. An uppermost and a lowermost docking member functions to adhere the respective hulls in close proximity one to another while a sensor sub-assembly, `reads` the displacement of the shuttleboat hull in the water and communicates this data to an on-board control system that, in turn, actuates a number of hydraulic lifters. As the respective deck elements of the riverboat and the shuttleboat(s) are equalized, sliding doors are opened on the shuttleboat and the riverboat allowing pedestrian traffic to move, en mass from one vessel to another. Subsequent to the re-activation of the doors, as the respective doors are closed, the elevating deck descends to thereby allow passengers to move freely about the riverboat/shuttleboat vesseles, to thereby complete the transfer process.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for mooring a water-borne boat to a dock. The apparatus includes a pair of spring wires extending from the dock and over the water to brackets supporting a horizontal roller to be engaged by a boat-mounted latch.