Abstract: A tow apparatus (20) is installable in a moveable craft (11) for towing a load (18) situated behind the craft. The load (18) is connected to a selectively erectable, vertical post member (22) mountable on a floor deck (17) of the craft (11). When erected, the vertical post member (22) is further supported by two support members (26A, 26B) which are mounted on the floor deck (17) intermediate the vertical post member (20) and the stern (13) of the craft (11). The vertical post member (22) is mounted on floor deck (17) by engagement with a post anchor assembly (24). The support members (26A, 26B) are mounted on floor deck (17) by their engagement with corresponding support anchor assemblies (30A, 30B). The anchor assemblies (24,30) are installed on floor deck (17) in a manner whereby elements of the anchoring assemblies (24, 30) do not significantly protrude beyond the plane of the floor deck (17) when in a storage position (i.e.

Abstract: A readily alterable arrangement, to suit the need at sea and in coastal inlet passages for control and disposition of vessels, comprises: pulled barges outfitted with a condition responsive linkage mechanism for implementing a rudder, towlines conveying propulsive force to barges, and tugs continually employed in tow or exchange of barges being loaded/unloaded in the interim of tug port calls. The linkage mechanism, dependent upon a pivotal beam mounted forwardly of the barge mass center, imparts propulsive force on the longitudinal centerline or at either barge side as transmitted to the pivotal beam ends by a bridle leg arranged towline terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a float which is provided with at least one hoist drum for a hoisting wire from a hoist. The float is provided with at least one suspension drum for a suspension wire to a suspension body. The hoisting drum and the suspension drum are rotationally coupled to each other and the wires are arranged in such a way on the drums that the suspension wires are reeled in when the hoisting wires are reeled off the hoisting drums and vice versa.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recovering a towed body to onboard a towing ship while the towing ship is underway. A saddle is employed in cooperation with a rudder to engage one end of the towed body and, subsequent to engagement, the saddle means is slid forward to engage the opposite end of the towed body.

Abstract: A radio receiver in a boat actuates a horn and a rotary strobe light when it receives an appropriate signal from a transmitter recessed in the handle of a ski rope. The actuation of the transmitter is controlled by a trigger on the handle.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a boat, comprising an elongated bar having one end pivotally mounted on the side of the boat, the bar extending from the boat side so that a skier may grasp the opposite end of the bar or may tie his ski rope thereto. The bar is braced by means of a cable secured to an intermediate part of the bar and connected to a forward part of the boat, such as to the deck cleat. A further cable has one end connected to the bar and its other end connected to an upright mast. The pivot connection for the one end of the bar is in the form of a mounting plate which is secured to the side of the boat. The mounting plate has spaced ears between which the bar end is disposed, and a pin is disposed through holes in the ears and the bar end to provide a horizontal pivot.

Abstract: An improved fairlead reduces the problems associated with deploying and rieving a towing cable and its interconnected elongate instrumentation array. A pair of parallel rollers orthogonally disposed to a storage winch reel are spaced apart to present a smooth, protuberance-free surface to accommodate the elongate instrumentation array. A shell coaxially disposed about each of the cylinders is rotated to cover the smooth protuberance-free surfaces and present a pair of abrasion-resistant surfaces when the towing cable is reeled in or payed out. Since it is likely that the abrasion-resistant surface might be scored by the towing cable, rotating the abrasion-resistant surfaces out of the way to expose the protuberance-free accommodating surfaces when the array goes through the fairlead helps reduce the possibility of damage of the elongate instrumentation array during deployment and recovery.

Abstract: A hollow reinforced concrete sphere can be used as a container for transporting compressed gas, such as natural gas. Such containers can be interconnected and towed from one place to another by an ocean-going tugboat. Each container is formed with three band-like groups of reinforcing rings. Each group has its reinforcing rings disposed at right angles to the reinforcing rings in the other groups. The inner and outer surfaces of the container walls can be covered with a desired coating. In constructing the containers, they can be built at the water's edge and then rolled into the water.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water including, an at least partially flexible, elongated chamber having an open, at least partially submerged front for receiving water and oil thereinto during relative movement between the chamber and the body of water; at least one cable for folding the chamber, the cable being slidably connected to at least one extremity of the chamber and fixedly connected to the other extremity of the chamber; and at least two inclinable ramps for launching and retrieving the chamber with a vessel of opportunity.

Abstract: A water sport apparatus which can be attached to an inner tube and includes a flexible seat that can be strapped to the inner tube and a pair of extending portions that pass over the inner tube and are connected to a tow line.

Abstract: An elastic tension member comprises a jacket surrounding a core, the latter comprising a non-stretchable line in working relation with at least one elastic member. The line may comprise a cord, the terminal portions of the elastic member being fastened to the cord at spaced mounting joints. Tension forces applied to the elastic member are transferred to the non-stretchable line as soon as a predetermined maximum tension load value has been reached. This characteristic contributes to rendering the elastic tension member suited for towing purposes, or as a start-cord for surf boards, or as a tieing device for tieing up goods.

Abstract: A water ski tow bar is arranged to form a single tow bar or handle for a water skier being towed by a boat or the like and separable into two tow bars or handles which may be used by the water skier being towed by the same boat.

Abstract: A tubular float for use in a water ski tow device. The float has a hollow shaft pulley in one end thereof and a slot in the other end thereof. A hitch rope is attached to the transom of the boat at locations displaced from the central axis of the boat. The hitch rope is roved through the pulley. A tow rope is inserted through the slot and passed along the tubular body of the float through the hollow shaft of the pulley back along the hollow body of the float through the slot from an opposite direction and then tied or spliced to the main length of the tow rope to form a tow structure not susceptible to failure in the event of structural damage to the float.

Abstract: A tug and v-notched barge connection apparatus provides an elastic rope which connects the tug and the v-notched barge together, the rope stretching during operation to allow relative movement between the barge and the tug. Each end portion of the rope attaches respectively to the stern of the barge and the stern of the tug. At the stern deck portion of the tug is provided a pair of hydraulically actuated pistons and (in the preferred embodiment) a pair of movably mounted levers. Each lever provides at its outboard end portion a hook which is adapted to attach to a provided eye at the tug end portion of the elastic rope.

Abstract: A towing link consists of spaced-apart head and tailpieces. The headpiece includes a towing eye and a pair of lugs for receiving the stress members of a streamer and a lead-in cable. The tailpiece defines a pair of bores through which the stress member and electrical conductors of the two cables are inserted and sealed. A pair of mating connector plugs are provided to interconnect corresponding conductors of the two cables. The assembly is enclosed in a watertight plastic boot.

Abstract: A watersled towed behind a moving boat is steerable from side to side by a rider pulling on or releasing the handle on a single control rope which is attached to a tow rope. The handle is held at various positions by two cleats connected to a raised section of the top deck of the sled between the rider's legs to facilitate proper operation of the sled. The tow rope is attached to the rear of the sled by being passed through an opening in the hull and knotted. The tow rope is held in proximity to the bottom of the sled by passing the rope through a plastic slide configured to travel within a groove extending the width of the sled. The groove is shaped in an arc having a center at the tow rope attachment point and has end closures to prevent the slide from leaving the groove. The control rope is held forward of the tow rope attachment point by a knot in the tow rope.

Abstract: A large floating mass (10) such as an off-shore structure or an iceberg is towed using two sea anchors (20 & 30) alternately. The motive power for towing is derived from winch means (15 & 16) on the large floating mass or on a barge immediately in front of it. The cable by which the towing force is transmitted runs from one of the sea anchors to the other so that it is payed out to one while the other is being winched towards the mass. The sea anchors are arranged to offer little resistance to forward movement through the water, but to offer a large resistance to backward movement, thereby offering a purchase from which towing is effected. The advantage of using two sea anchors is that with an alternating succession of towing operations it is possible to keep a substantially continuous tractive effort acting on the mass.

Abstract: A decoupling apparatus for isolating a towed marine streamer from noise transmitted from the tow vessel. The decoupling device comprises a fluid spring positioned in the tow cable with changes in the spring constant being minimized by controlling the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A handle for a water ski towline comprises two shell-like halves with engagement and disengagement mechanism for detachably securing a pull strap that is secured to a connecting strap of a safety belt for water skiers secures the pull strap by means of an engagement finger that is engageable in a cut-out of the pull strap, the engagement finger being spring biased into a position engaged within the cut-out. According to a feature of the preferred embodiment, the entire engagement and disengagement mechanism is accommodatable within the shell-like halves, and the handle is inclined forwardly from its center at an angle of approximately 8.degree. to 12.degree. with respect to a line normal to a center line directed in the towing direction.

Abstract: A readily alterable arrangement, to suit the need at sea and in coastal inlet passages for control and disposition of vessels, comprises: pulled barges outfitted with a condition responsive linkage mechanism for implementing a rudder, towlines conveying propulsive force to barges, and tugs continually employed in tow or exchange of barges being loaded/unloaded in the interim of tug port calls. The linkage mechanism, dependent upon a pivotal beam mounted forwardly of the barge mass center, imparts propulsive force on the longitudinal centerline or at either barge side as transmitted to the pivotal beam ends by a bridle leg arranged towline terminal.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a water ski towline having a handle and mechanism for engagement and disengagement of a safety belt for water skiers. The handle is joined with the engagement and disengagement mechanism and has a device for retaining a pull strap of a safety belt connecting strap by engagement with one hand of the user during the starting process and during skiing, whereby the entire tensile forces exerted by the towline are transmitted to the safety belt and thus to the body of the water skier.

Abstract: The method is applicable for retrieving an anchor having an anchor buoy holding an anchor pendant line. A trailer buoy is connected to the anchor pendant line via a floatable line. A work vessel is fitted with a boom having a catch hook so positioned that the hook is several feet abeam of the vessel and at or below the waterline. Capture is achieved by sailing the vessel so as to cause the trailer buoy to pass between the vessel and the boom hook so that the boom hook snags the floatable line. The boom is swung out of the water and sternward so that the trailer buoy and a section of the floatable line are brought aboard the vessel, the floatable line then being used to retrieve the anchor pendant line. The floatable line may be in two sections to facilitate attachment to winches, cranes or other retrieval equipment.

Abstract: A hook assembly for retrieving the chain bridle component of a broken marine barge towing line. The assembly comprises a sinking hook dimensioned to receive the bridle, a float connected to the hook for maintaining it a predetermined distance below the surface of the water, and a hook towing line connected to the hook for deploying it into position for intercepting and engaging the bridle. Hook positioning means locates the hook in bridle-engaging position.

Abstract: A traction arrangement for use by a sail surfer or water skier who is pulled along by holding onto a bar-shaped member connected to pulling apparatus, has two pulling elements which are arranged to be worn by a user and each having a leading end, and two connecting elements for detachably connecting the pulling elements to the bar-shaped member. Each of the connecting elements is provided at the leading end of a respective one of the pulling elements and is flexible so as to be deformable about the bar-shaped member by a pressure of the user's hands to thereby engage the bar-shaped member in frictional connection with the latter. In the event of a fall or when the user wishes to disengage the bar-shaped member, cessation of pressure by the user's hands suffices to terminate the frictional connection. The connecting elements may be formed by inner portions of gloves which are connected to the pulling elements.

Abstract: A safety release for water skiing tow lines comprising a U-shaped body having a rearwardly facing slot therein, a mounting bracket for securing the device to a ski pylon, a bolt arm pivotally secured to the body which extends across the slot when the arm is in a vertical position so as to engage the terminal loop of the ski rope. The loop retaining bolt arm is pivotally mounted on the body and is pivotable rearwardly from a first position substantially normal to the plane of the slot opening to a second position substantially free of the slot opening. A manually operable extension is affixed to the bolt arm to move the arm in a forward direction from the second position to the first position. A lever is pivotally mounted on the body to engage the bolt arm to form a bar-like assembly which extends transversely of said opening.

Abstract: A marine cable location system includes a plurality of magnetic compasses located at known spaced intervals along a cable being towed by a marine vessel. These compass readings are recorded along with an onboard magnetic compass reading, an onboard gyrocompass reading, and satellite navigational information. From these recordings, the X-Y coordinates of cable compasses with respect to vessel heading are determined. These X-Y coordinates are recorded along with the vessel's position and heading on magnetic tape and a cathode-ray tube so as to provide a visual display of the cable position with respect to the vessel.

Abstract: 4. A towable sea-going vehicle for carrying communications equipment for in conjunctive cooperation with communications equipment of another vessel comprising:an essentially hollow body having openings in its walls for free flooding and self-bailing of said body;said body having an essentially rounded, gently pointed nose section and a V-bottom portion, said V-bottom portion providing a surface for the planing of said body on the surface of water and providing a face portion for contributing to the hydrodynamic lifting of said body when in an underwater position;buoyancy producing means located in said body to the extent that the weight of said body in air is substantially less than the excess buoyancy of said body when immersed in water;and said body having an upper cambered portion for producing lift when said body is in an underwater position;whereby said communications-carrying vehicle may be towed either submerged or on the water surface at speeds up to and in excess of 35 knots.

Abstract: A water ski tow assembly consisting of a semi-circular rail connected at its ends to a boat and extending rearwardly therefrom at variable angles of inclination from horizontal, a rolling carriage movable along the track, and a special rope hitch mounted on the carriage, the hitch permitting the attachment thereto of a plurality of tow ropes, and having provisions permitting quick attachment and detachment of ropes, locking the ropes against accidental detachment, and preventing entanglement of the ropes. The rail encircles the motor of the boat to prevent the ropes from becoming fouled in the propellor, protects the propellor from growing brush in the water, and insures the most desirable line of pull of the ropes relative to the boat.

Abstract: Minesweep gear is suspended from an aircraft to be a selected height above the surface of the water for deployment and the sweep gear is selectively stowed within the container so that the sweep gear is selectively sequentially deployed with the sweep equipment which is to assume a position farthest from the towing aircraft being deployed first and the sweep equipment which is to assume a position closest to the towing aircraft being deployed last. The sweep lead wire is connected to the aircraft towing cable and, by remote control from the aircraft, the sweep gear can be so selectively deployed and thereafter towed by the aircraft, the container being jettisoned once the gear is deployed and the sweeping gear being jettisoned at the end of the sweeping operation.

Abstract: 1. In a mechanism for sweeping a pressure controlled mine arranged within a ody of water comprising a plurality of water entraining devices, each of said devices comprising a pair of pressure plates, a plurality of bracing members for maintaining the pressure plates of each pair in predetermined fixed space relation with respect to each other, a plurality of flexible tension members interconnecting said pairs of pressure plates whereby the plates are adapted to cause the water entrained between said plates to be moved sufficiently to reduce the pressure of the water adjacent the mine to a predetermined value as the mechanism travels over the mine, and means for causing movement of said mechanism above the mine.

Abstract: Preconditioning of towable, flexible electrodes having a conductive layer nsisting wires helically laid on a bouyant core, to preclude later birdnesting, is accomplished using a flange device having cylindrical mounting portions fixed to the aft end of the core and radially extending flange portions having a circular pattern of guide holes through which aft end portions of the wires pass loosely. The guide holes have their axes disposed at predetermined pitch and convergence angles.

Abstract: 1. A towed decoy system adapted to be towed from a towing vessel, an electrically powered noisemaker, an electrical tow cable attached to said noisemaker, a depressor vane, a depresser cable connected to said depressor vane and to the towing vessel, and means interconnecting said depressor cable and said electrical tow cable at a point near said depressor vane, said interconnecting means comprising a pair of cable grips respectively attached at one end to adjacent sections of said electrical tow cable and at their other ends to a snatch block movably mounted on said depressor cable thereby providing slack in said electrical tow cable, whereby said noisemaker is towed at a depth not less than that of the point of attachment of said snatch block to said depressor cable.

Abstract: A safety release for water skiing tow lines comprising a U-shaped body having a rearwardly facing slot therein, a mounting bracket for securing the device to a ski pylon, a release arm pivotally secured to the body and including a bolt which extends across the slot when the arm is in a vertical position so as to engage the terminal loop of the ski rope. When the arm is pulled forwardly by means of a trip line operated from within the boat, the bolt is retracted out of the slot thereby releasing the tow line. Adjustable spring biased detents are provided for locking the release handle in the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A water walker for enabling an individual to walk upon water including a pair of elongated buoyant water walker assemblies which can be attached to the feet of the user. Each assembly includes a buoyant flotation member which has a runner longitudinally extending along a substantial portion of the bottom of the buoyant member. The runner has a hollow section which is open at both longitudinal ends and is closed at the bottom by a cover member, thereby forming an effective jet water chamber through the hollow chamber. A control mechanism is arranged within this hollow section of the runner and is movable between a first position allowing water to pass through the hollow section when the assembly is moved in a forward direction and a second position blocking the passage of water through the hollow chamber and hence preventing slippage of the assembly in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A towable cable type electrode has a bouyant core covered by a layer of hcally laid wire strands and is characterized by a slide member near the aft end of the electrode to which the aft ends of the wire strands are secured. The slide member is constrained by guides to axial movement along the core so as to accommodate excess length in the wire strands that works its way aft along the electrode during use.

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic device secures and releases a mooring or towing hawser to a vessel. A carriage reciprocates on a frame on the vessel and moves a bollard between one position securing a hawser to the towing or moored vessel and another position releasing the hawser. Movement of the carriage on the frame is accompanied by movement of a piston in a cylinder on the frame, the piston being connected to the carriage by a chain trained around a sprocket on the piston rod. A combination of liquid and gaseous fluid systems with various manual and automatic controls is connected to the cylinder and normally allows the piston to oscillate about a chosen average position. The fluid system by manual or automatic control lets the carriage move to a predetermined, extreme position on the frame. In such position the carriage actuates the bollard to release position, freeing the line. The carriage can be locked to the frame in the extreme position.

Abstract: An improved water skiing tow device is provided, wherein a rigid tubular member is employed to keep the two trace-reins apart, near the bight of the device. The device includes a cross rope arcuate portion and the arcuate portion is intended to be in engagement with a triangular block on each water ski prior to planing and to be released therefrom when the skier is planing in the water.

Abstract: For laying a submarine pipeline, hauling of the same is exerted by means of a force distribution cable which extends over the full length of the submerged part of the pipeline and which is attached to it by hangers, preferably in conjunction with heavy chains acting as guide ropes and anchoring blocks. A further cable attached to the head of the pipeline transmits directly thereto a part of the haulage force.

Abstract: For laying a submarine pipeline, hauling of the same is exerted by means of a force distribution cable which extends over the full length of the submerged part of the pipeline and which is attached to it by hangers, preferably in conjunction with heavy chains acting as guide ropes and anchoring blocks.

Abstract: This disclosure deals with novel underwater vehicle towing and recovery apparatus, as for recovering sonar or other underwater apparatus in the event of cable severance and for preventing the sinking of apparatus on the stoppage of towing, through the combination of water-foil depressor mechanisms and buoyant recovery chambers provided with signalling apparatus.

Abstract: A helicopter carried, towline recovery buoy system including a package coining a retrieval line, inflatable buoys, and buoy inflating devices. A support and release mechanism releases the package response to dropping of the towline. The buoys and retrieval line are automatically deployed to permit recovery of the towline by grappling from a helicopter.

Abstract: The recovery of buoys by a helicopter or a ship is accomplished by sweeping a grapnel therefrom underwater until it engages a suitable receptacle attached to the buoy mooring cable. Once engaged, the buoy is then winched aboard the helicopter or ship.

Abstract: A barrier for water carried pollutants consists of a series of end to end connected boom sections with each boom section including a tubular sleeve portion containing flotation means and a depending skirt. The entire series of boom sections are connected to one or a pair of flexible draft members which are connected to the booms at spaced points by connector assemblies comprising this invention.