Abstract: Microdredging systems comprising a pumping platform and loading platform are described. In certain embodiments, system operates autonomously and is adapted to allow the loading platform undock from the pumping platform for disposal of the removed sediment.

Abstract: A petroleum well intervention winch system includes a high pressure confining housing for a drum for a rope to a tool string. The pressure confining housing has a connector with an aperture for the rope to a top of a tool string gate chamber on vertical bore BOP valves on a wellhead on the petroleum well. The rope runs through the aperture via a capstan to the drum. The capstan is driven by a first motor through a first high pressure proof magnetic coupling across a wall of the housing. The drum is driven by a second motor through a second high pressure proof magnetic coupling across the wall of the housing. The capstan is subject to a load tension from the rope and is provided with a hold tension on the rope from the drum. The second motor exerts a constant hold tension on the rope via the drum.

Abstract: A jack plate for vertically raising and lowering an outboard motor mounted on a boat. The jack plate comprises a motor lift and a jack plate mounting assembly. The jack plate mounting assembly has a transom plate and a pair of spacing brackets with jack plate rails. The motor lift has a pair of bearings that are interlocked to a lift plate. The motor lift is slidably situated within the jack plate rails. Complementary geometries of the outer side edges of the lift plate and inner edges of channels in the bearings, as well as the spacing between the jack plate rails, provide a pressure fit that secures the lift plate between the bearings once the bearings are inserted into the jack plate rails.

Abstract: A jack plate for vertically raising and lowering an outboard motor mounted on a boat. The jack plate comprises a motor lift and a jack plate mounting assembly. The jack plate mounting assembly has a transom plate and a pair of spacing brackets with jack plate rails. The motor lift has a pair of bearings that are interlocked to a lift plate. The motor lift is slidably situated within the jack plate rails. Complementary geometries of the outer side edges of the lift plate and inner edges of channels in the bearings, as well as the spacing between the jack plate rails, provide a pressure fit that secures the lift plate between the bearings once the bearings are inserted into the jack plate rails.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pontoon lift mechanism includes: a plurality of PVC tubing aligned in parallel; a portion of the plurality of PVC tubing including air filled PVC tubes; a portion of the plurality of PVC tubing including water filled PVC tubes; and an inlet valve and outlet valve provided for each PVC tube. The air filled PVC tubes and water filled PVC tubes abut each other and alternate in the parallel alignment of the tubes. The pontoon lift mechanism also includes a means to fill the air filled PVC tubes and the water filled PVC tubes, where said means to fill includes an air hose extending from an air supply valve and a water hose extending from a water supply valve.

Abstract: An electric trolling motor transom mount that (a.) allows a trolling motor to kick over logs while the boat is traveling forward without damaging the trolling motor shaft or mount, (b.) and yet secures the trolling motor propeller in the water while propelling the boat in reverse, and (c.) also allows the operator to remove moss or debris from the propeller while the operator is comfortably seated in the boat, and (d.) allows the trolling motor to be placed in a stowed position on the floor of the boat.

Abstract: A dock, for launching and recovery of a lifeboat, rescue boat or like small boat on a vessel, a floating platform or a fixed installation. The boat (14) is normally stored on the dock. The dock is provided with buoyant elements (1) fixed to a frame (3). The boat (14) is supported in a cradle (2) within the frame (3). On launching and recovery of the boat (14), the dock is lowered to a floating position on the surface of the water. In order to fix the boat (14) to the dock, a locking device (9, 15) is provided. By modifying the configuration and size of the buoyant elements, the dock is given rolling and pitching periods which coincide as closely as possible with those of the boat (14). The dock and the boat (14) will thereby behave in approximately the same manner in the water, which makes it relatively simple to run the boat (14) into the dock even in a very heavy sea.

Abstract: A device, a method, and a system for reducing the draft of large vessels to allow the successful navigation of shallow waterways which could not otherwise be traversed due to the depth of the draft of the vessel. The implementation of this system will eliminate unnecessary dredging and facilitate full utilization of the ships' cargo capacity. The system is comprised of several buoyancy modules, control tender vessels, base point grids, appropriate computers, air compressors, and all other necessary equipment. Each buoyancy module of the system consist of two inflatable/deflatable pneumatic lift cells contained by sleeves positioned one at each end, with a base webbing connecting the two ends and forming the middle supportive portion of each module. The base webbing is positioned beneath the vessel oriented so as to position one pneumatic lift cell on each side of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the depth of an object submerged in a liquid dium includes a sealed chamber means, joined to the object, which retains a working fluid and which has a variable external volume for displacing variable amounts of the medium. The apparatus further includes a heat transfer device for controlling the external volume of the chamber by heating the working fluid to increase the external volume, and by cooling the working fluid to decrease the external volume.

Abstract: Apparatus for submerging a floatation body for placement beneath a floating structure is comprised of a tank which is divided into at least two sealed compartments. The tank has a total gross weight which is greater than the buoyancy force of the floatation body and yet has a volume which will allow it to float when filled with air. In order to tailor the gross weight of the tank for use with floatation bodies having a range of buoyancies, weights are removably attachable to the tank. Fluid passageways are provided in the bottom of each compartment, and an air outlet, containing a control valve, is located near the top of each compartment to permit selective flooding of the compartment to submerge the tank. Air inlets entering the top of each compartment are provided with control valves to allow selectively refilling the respective compartments from a remote air generating system.

Abstract: A floatable apparatus provided with a lifting element for displacing it between the surface and bottom of a water basin has at least two jaws or grippers which are suitable for use as a clam-shell bucket or the like. The jaws are suspended from the lifting element and are articulated with respect to one another. The lifting element is constituted by a principal floatable buoyant caisson which permits the apparatus to be placed in a state of immersion or of floatation. At least one floatation chamber is associated with each of the jaws to achieve selectably a net density thereof equal to, less than or greater than that of water. The jaws are carried by the principal caisson.

Abstract: A power cell for lifting masses by inflation of the cell by a gaseous or liquid medium, the cell being hollow and, in the pressure-free state, substantially a single plane. The cell includes two parallel polygonal surfaces, preferably squares, invariant in shape, interconnected by wall segments which vary in shape as the cell is inflated, the side wall segments forming partial cylindrical surfaces. The side wall segments and the polygonal surfaces are joined by transition wall surfaces to form a closed body. Various embodiments of the transition wall surfaces forming corner segments, are disclosed, wherein, in the pressure-free state of the cell, the extensions of the peripheries of adjoining side wall segments may intersect substantially rectilinearly, in a convex arc, in a concave arc, or in an obtuse angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for excavating and transporting excavated material, said apparatus including a nonfloating frame structure having a pair of opposed shovels swingably supported on the opposite sides thereof. A drive mechanism is connected between the frame structure and the shovels for swingably moving the shovels relative to the frame structure. At least two buoyant bodies having a predetermined buoyancy are movably connected to the frame structure at the opposite ends thereof. An operating mechanism is connected between the frame structure and the buoyant bodies for raising and lowering the frame structure and the shovels as a unit relative to the buoyant bodies. The operating mechanism is independently operable in relationship to the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A coupling is established between a buoyant body and a submerged anchor, by drawing down an internal bush until it is aligned between the lower ends of a pair of holes through upstanding parallel cheeks secured to the anchor. The holes have larger lower ends than upper ends. A pin is then inserted through the bush; and when the buoyant body is released, its buoyancy draws the coupling up until the pin lodges in the upper ends of the holes through the cheeks attached to the anchor.

Abstract: An assembly of components that may be used in combination with a salvage vessel to raise a sunken vessel that has a steel hull from the floor of the ocean or other body of water. The sunken vessel is loosened from the ocean floor by detonating explosive charges embedded in the ocean floor by remotely operated devices while the vessel itself is fastened to hoisting cables using explosive charges to drive rivets or bolts into prepared areas of the sunken hull. The sunken vessel is drawn up towards the water's surface while two elongate propeller driven containers of variable buoyancy with a support net therebetween are provided to aid in raising the sunken vessel to a position adjacent the salvage vessel.