A support structure of a ship tank includes: a curved surface facing an outer peripheral surface of a horizontal type cylindrical tank; and a pair of support units supporting the tank on the curved surface. Each of the support units includes: a plurality of cylindrical elements arranged in a circumferential direction of the tank such that an axial direction of each of the cylindrical elements coincides with a radial direction of the tank; a plurality of inner members each holding an end portion of a corresponding one of the cylindrical elements at the tank side; and a plurality of outer members each holding an end portion of a corresponding one of the cylindrical elements at an opposite side to the tank. The inner members are fixed to the tank. The outer members of one of the support units are configured such that displacement of the outer members in an axial direction of the tank relative to the curved surface is restricted. The outer members of the other one of the support units are configured to be slidable on the curved surface in the axial direction of the tank.

An anti-piracy device for ships comprises a blocking device, such as a metal plate, to block an opening from the exterior to the interior of a ship, such as a window or porthole. The anti-piracy device also includes mounts, which are mounted permanently to the interior wall of the ship, to which the blocking device can be removably fastened, by nuts or the like. This allows the device to be installed when entering dangerous waters, but removed and stored when traversing safe waters.

Exemplary practice of the present invention provides and implements a superior small-scale test model of a full-scale vessel hull describing a smooth axisymmetric body. The boundary layer of a smooth axisymmetric body moving in water is characterized, in succession from front axial-longitudinal end to back axial-longitudinal end, by a laminar region, an unstable region, an intermittent region, and a turbulent region. The smooth axisymmetric body's intermittent region is characterized by generation of turbulent spots, which bring about the turbulent region. According to exemplary inventive practice, a turbulent spot inducer (ring-shaped structure or structural arrangement) is strategically sized and placed to increase generation of turbulent spots, thereby reducing (axially-longitudinally shortening) the intermittent region and enlarging (axially-longitudinally lengthening) the turbulent region. The turbulent spot inducer is circumferentially coupled with the smooth axisymmetric body at a location coinciding with the smooth axisymmetric body's delimitation between its unstable region and its intermittent region.

A system for monitoring a physical change of a marine structure includes a complex optical measuring instrument configured to detect a behavior and structural change of the marine structure by using at least one optical sensor by means of optical fiber Bragg grating.

An apparatus (1) for transportation, installation and retrieval of marine structures (10) is disclosed and illustrated. It comprises at least two suitably connected vessels (1,2) with adjustable buoyancy, each having a first end (5) and a second end (8). The apparatus is equipped with lifting mechanism for lifting a marine structure on and from it. The vessels (1,2) are connected to each other at each said first end (5) at an angle (4) and are free at each said second end (8), thus forming a V-shape. The invention also embraces the methodology for transportation, installation and retrieval of marine structures, using the apparatus (1).

A boat cover extension is provided. The boat cover extension includes a plurality of straps. Each strap includes a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The strap may be made of an elastic and stretchable material, such as a bungee cord material. A male connector is secured to the first end of the front surface and a female connector is secured to the second end of the rear surface so that the female connector is on opposite sides and is facing away from the male connector.

A Bi-Pod cantilever mount and method for supporting laser metrology equipment on a surface. The cantilever mount includes an adjustable mast and legs for adjustably positioning the laser metrology equipment on one or more surfaces. The adjustability of the mount optimizes the ability to utilize the laser metrology equipment at locations where it has been traditionally difficult to take readings.