Abstract: A long, wide, and low-profile mono-hull vessel able to meet the requirements for an efficient, rapid, and reliable inland waterway container transport system. A shallow draft container carrier may comprise a self-propelled semi-monocoque mono-hull vessel having a double radius ogive bow and octet truss space frame structure. Additional features such as a forward bridge, full beam stern, and distributed electric propulsion system elements may be included. The design provides a vessel that is large, strong, ridged, and fast, able to operate in shallow water, resistant to debris accumulation, with large cargo capacity and low wind load, and potentially with zero-turn radius capability. The aspect ratio provides high capacity with high speed, low drag and fuel-efficient hull form. Integral bow and stern thrusters may provide enhanced safety, control, speed, maneuverability, and zero-turn radius capability.

Abstract: A water-buoyant structure formed from concrete is disclosed. The structure comprises an outer wall that surrounds a perimeter of the structure and an inner wall separated from the outer wall by a cavity, such that the cavity extends for the perimeter of the structure. Separating the cavity can provide sufficient buoyancy to the structure to allow 5 the structure to float. The combination of outer and inner walls may also provide increased resistance to catastrophic damage in the event of an impact (e.g. the inner wall may remain intact).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a passenger ship, such as a passenger liner, which includes a main structure bounded by a hull and its upper deck, above which arises at least one superstructure, wherein it has at least one arch which stands generally fore and aft, and which extends at least partly over the main structure, its opposite ends being firmly joined to this main structure, so that the arch carries at least part of the loads connected with its deflection.

Abstract: A supporting arrangement for a vessel for counteracting compressive loads at an operating temperature. The supporting arrangement also provides inertial stiffening of the hull of the vessel as well as acoustic and vibration damping. The supporting arrangement includes a support structure that is made from a shape memory alloy that contacts and presses against the inner walls of the vessel. The supporting arrangement utilizes the shape recovery properties and/or the internal energy properties of the shape memory alloy support structure to provide reinforcing and damping forces.

Abstract: A powerboat has a hull, keel, a transom, sidewalls, and a gunwale. The hull has at least one stringer on each side of the keel. An upwardly generally transversely oriented elongated structural member is secured to the transom. A lower generally transversely oriented structural member is secured to the transom in generally underlying relationship with respect to the upper generally transversely oriented structural member. At least one generally vertically oriented structural member is secured to the upper and lower transversely oriented structural members. The upper transversely oriented structural member serves to transfer a load from the transom to the gunwales. The lower transversely oriented structural member serves to transfer load from the transom to the keel and stringers. The powerboat may be a performance boat having the hull composed of outer and inner layers of aluminum skin with an interposed resinous foam material or a single plate.

Abstract: A method and device for constructing a auxiliary hull, exterior to the primary hull of a ship, which has the capacity to absorb impact energy preventing primary hull puncture, and can be easily retrofitted to existing ship hulls. This method and device involves the use of energy absorbing members arranged in a truss-like formation to support the auxiliary hull shell. The auxiliary hull shell can be laminated to weaken interlaminar shear strength and further increase energy absorption during impact and thus prevent auxiliary hull puncture. This method and device also allows for the void spaces created between the primary and auxiliary hull shells to be filled with material which will, distribute the impact forces to the primary hull over a wider primary hull area, serve to support the auxiliary hull shell under hydrostatic forces and provide additional buoyancy forces if the auxiliary hull shell is punctured.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a boat hull including a stringer member having an end surface including therein a cut-out, and a projection extending beyond the end surface, a bulkhead member extending transversely to the stringer member, fixed thereto, and including an end surface extending in coplanar relation to the end surface of the stringer member and including therein a cut-out, and a projection extending beyond the end surface of the bulkhead member, a deck member engaging the end surfaces of the stringer member and the bulkhead member and including cut-outs respectively receiving the projections on the stringer and bulkhead members, and a gusset member extending substantially at a right angle to the stringer and bulkhead members and including a first projection received in the cut-out in the stringer member and a second projection received in the cut-out in the bulkhead member.

Abstract: A crayfish harvester boat apparatus having a principal boat portion open ended with side walls and a bottom portion defining a container and occupant space therewithin; a pair of rear drive wheels hingedly mounted to the rear portion of the boat, and a steering wheel hingedly mounted to the front portion of the boat, the rear drive wheels in front steering wheel so mounted to the boat so that upon application of pressure, the boat can be lifted from position flat against the ground to a position substantially above the location of the rear drive wheels and front steering wheels; the power means including hydraulically controlled pistons for lowering and raising the boat between positions. There is further included a power drive system connected onto the rear drive wheels for providing a plurality of drive speeds to the apparatus as it is propelled on land or in water.

Abstract: A boat hull is constructed of a plurality of unitary plates connected together along their edges and connected to an internal frame at the edges, such that the side deck and bottom plates of the hull are connected solely at their respective edges to the internal frame, with the plates being spaced outward from the frame intermediate the connections, and with an elastomer disposed in the space between the frame members and the hull plates.

Abstract: A frame section (20, 22) and method for a high performance flexible skin hull (12) of a kayak (10) is disclosed as including a thin moment resisting web (A) having dimensional rigidity in a vertical direction to resist bending moments surrounded by foam blocks (B) to provide dimensional rigidity in a lateral direction to prevent buckling of the web under stress. The composite weight of the frame section is light enough to not alter hull performance.

Abstract: A container ship is provided with an upper structure extending aft of the stern and a cargo deck substantially at the waterline. An internal support framework of longitudinal, transverse and upright structural members, interconnected with each other, provides strength and rigidity to the ship. Vertical structural members cooperate with the support framework to define a plurality of cargo compartments. The upper structure serves as a crane support structure and is integral with the hull and extends longitudinally over the cargo compartments and aft of the stern. Travelling bridge cranes are movable along longitudinal rails forming a part of the crane support structure to enable containers to be moved into, out of and between the cargo compartments.