Disclosed is a boarding apparatus for boarding animals onto a boat or other above-water surface, and methods of using the apparatus. The apparatus has a boarding step assembly, a mounting assembly attached to the boarding step assembly for connecting the step assembly to a boat hull gunwale or transom lip, and a strut assembly for supporting the engagement of the boarding step assembly to the boat hull.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

A fishing rod shield for use on a fishing vessel. The fishing rod shield protects fishing rods while also providing improved safety to the fishing vessel. The fishing rod shield includes a rod protector and a cover positioned over the rod protector. The rod protector includes a plurality of openings through which a fishing rod may be at least partially inserted and easily removed. The shield includes an anti-slip or other safety surface to provide improved safety on the fishing vessel.

A marine deck member with enhanced surface traction and the process for forming the same. The marine deck member comprises a sandwich-type composite panel made by a compression molding process. In such a process, the panel is made by subjecting a heated stack of layers of material to cold-pressing in a mold. The cellular core has a 2-D array of cells, each of the cells having an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surfaces, and extending in the space between the layers or skins, with end faces open to the respective layers or skins. The surface traction of this type of composite panel can be enhanced for marine deck applications by controlled debossing, or embossing, of the first skin while it cools in the compression mold. The debossing effect can be effected by applying pressurized gas, e.g., pressurized air, onto the outer surface of the first skin while in the compression mold. The embossing can be effected by applying vacuum pressure on the outer surface of the first skin while in the compression mold.

A system and method for deterring theft of a marine vehicles is provided. The system is designed to collect barometric pressure data and analyze it to determine whether there has been a sudden change in elevation that may be indicative of a theft. The system is also designed to collect environmental data pertaining to a marine vehicle's normal environment and compare it to a normal environmental state of the marine vehicle in order to detect changes that may be indicative of a theft. Additionally, the system is designed to monitor equipment of the marine vehicle and alert a user if the equipment has been moved in a way that may be indicative of a theft. When the system determines an event has occurred that may be indicative of a theft, the system may alert the user by triggering an alarm via a computer readable signal.

A system and method for deterring theft of a marine vehicles is provided. The system is designed to collect barometric pressure data and analyze it to determine whether there has been a sudden change in elevation that may be indicative of a theft. The system is also designed to collect environmental data pertaining to a marine vehicle's normal environment and compare it to a normal environmental state of the marine vehicle in order to detect changes that may be indicative of a theft. Additionally, the system is designed to monitor equipment of the marine vehicle and alert a user if the equipment has been moved in a way that may be indicative of a theft. When the system determines an event has occurred that may be indicative of a theft, the system may alert the user by triggering an alarm via a computer readable signal.

In one implementation, an accessory mount system for a watersport tow boat includes a boat mount that is configured to be attached to a boat mounting surface that is adjacent to or part of a swim platform that extends from a rear of the watersport tow boat. The accessory mount system can further include an accessory arm that includes a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to be fixedly attached to the accessory arm mounting surface of the boat mount and the second end is configured to be positioned above a top surface of the swim platform when the accessory arm is attached to the watersport tow boat via the boat mount. The accessory mount system can further include an accessory adapter positioned at the second end of the accessory arm.

In one implementation, an accessory mount system for a watersport tow boat includes a boat mount that is configured to be attached to a boat mounting surface that is adjacent to or part of a swim platform that extends from a rear of the watersport tow boat. The accessory mount system can further include an accessory arm that includes a first end and a second end, where the first end is configured to be fixedly attached to the accessory arm mounting surface of the boat mount and the second end is configured to be positioned above a top surface of the swim platform when the accessory arm is attached to the watersport tow boat via the boat mount. The accessory mount system can further include an accessory adapter positioned at the second end of the accessory arm.

An apparatus (1800), including: a center section (1814); a first support (1802) secured to a first end of the center section, the first support including a first telescoping assembly (1804); and a second support (1808) secured to a second end of the center section, the second support including a second telescoping assembly (1810). The first telescoping assembly and the second telescoping assembly cooperate to raise and lower the center section between a first position and a second position. The center section includes an integrated sun lounge platform (1820) configured as a cockpit cover for a boat, the sun lounge platform including a seating arrangement (1822).

An apparatus (1800), including: a center section (1814); a first support (1802) secured to a first end of the center section, the first support including a first telescoping assembly (1804); and a second support (1808) secured to a second end of the center section, the second support including a second telescoping assembly (1810). The first telescoping assembly and the second telescoping assembly cooperate to raise and lower the center section between a first position and a second position. The center section includes an integrated sun lounge platform (1820) configured as a cockpit cover for a boat, the sun lounge platform including a seating arrangement (1822).