An anti-bird cover for a watercraft uses planar sheet of plastic netting with a small, but not micro, aperture to deter birds from perching. The aperture is formed by a plurality of filaments and knots. The filaments are between 0.25 and 2.00 in length, with the illustrated embodiment having filaments of 0.75. The plastic netting is formed from nylon, polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The perimeter of the netting is encircled by an elastic gather with two free ends. The two free ends of the elastic gather are captured by a bungee cord stop. The surface area of the planar sheet of plastic netting is 1.5 time the surface area of the watercraft to be covered, in order to make the present invention billow in the wind, thus deterring birds from perching.

An anti-bird cover for a watercraft uses planar sheet of plastic netting with a small, but not micro, aperture to deter birds from perching. The aperture is formed by a plurality of filaments and knots. The filaments are between 0.25 and 2.00 in length, with the illustrated embodiment having filaments of 0.75. The plastic netting is formed from nylon, polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The perimeter of the netting is encircled by an elastic gather with two free ends. The two free ends of the elastic gather are captured by a bungee cord stop. The surface area of the planar sheet of plastic netting is 1.5 time the surface area of the watercraft to be covered, in order to make the present invention billow in the wind, thus deterring birds from perching.

Modular structure for protecting an offshore vessel in a body of water from forces of ice features comprising a protective harbor wall, a flotation support, a pile, and a telescoping connection. The telescoping connection is operatively coupled to the protective harbor wall and the flotation support and constructed and arranged to axially move the protective harbor wall between a retracted position and a raised position. The protective harbor wall is constructed and arranged to enclose a harbor space and to counteract the forces of ice features. The flotation support supports the protective harbor wall and is constructed and arranged to change net buoyancy of the modular protective structure to submerge the structure such that the flotation support is positioned on a seabed. The pile is constructed and arranged to be partially disposed in the seabed to maintain the position of the flotation support on the seabed.

Modular structure for protecting an offshore vessel in a body of water from forces of ice features comprising a protective harbor wall, a flotation support, a pile, and a telescoping connection. The telescoping connection is operatively coupled to the protective harbor wall and the flotation support and constructed and arranged to axially move the protective harbor wall between a retracted position and a raised position. The protective harbor wall is constructed and arranged to enclose a harbor space and to counteract the forces of ice features. The flotation support supports the protective harbor wall and is constructed and arranged to change net buoyancy of the modular protective structure to submerge the structure such that the flotation support is positioned on a seabed. The pile is constructed and arranged to be partially disposed in the seabed to maintain the position of the flotation support on the seabed.

Modular structure for protecting an offshore vessel in a body of water from forces of ice features in the body of water is described. The modular protective structure comprising a protective harbor wall constructed and arranged to enclose a harbor space and to counteract the forces of ice features in the body of water. The modular protective structure also comprising a flotation support supporting the protective harbor wall. The flotation support having a capacity to position the modular protective structure at a raised position where the flotation support maintains at least a portion of the protective harbor wall above the water surface such that a harbor is established and the offshore vessel is protected from the forces of ice features in the body of water. Methods which utilize such a modular protective harbor structure are also described.

Modular structure for protecting an offshore vessel in a body of water from forces of ice features in the body of water is described. The modular protective structure comprising a protective harbor wall constructed and arranged to enclose a harbor space and to counteract the forces of ice features in the body of water. The modular protective structure also comprising a flotation support supporting the protective harbor wall. The flotation support having a capacity to position the modular protective structure at a raised position where the flotation support maintains at least a portion of the protective harbor wall above the water surface such that a harbor is established and the offshore vessel is protected from the forces of ice features in the body of water. Methods which utilize such a modular protective harbor structure are also described.

The invention relates to a device for the exploration of the ocean space, intended to be fixed to a boat, the exploration device comprising a support that is able to receive one or more users in a lying position, a deployment means, said deployment means making it possible to position the support in a given position under the water such that, when the support is in said given position under the water, said one or more users can lie down on the support, being partially immersed, and fixing means for maintaining the support in the given position under the water.

The invention relates to a device for the exploration of the ocean space, intended to be fixed to a boat, the exploration device comprising a support that is able to receive one or more users in a lying position, a deployment means, said deployment means making it possible to position the support in a given position under the water such that, when the support is in said given position under the water, said one or more users can lie down on the support, being partially immersed, and fixing means for maintaining the support in the given position under the water.

A system and method of reducing corrosion in the ballast tanks of a ship is comprised of a central inert gas manifold extending down into the furthest reaches of the ballast tank, a plurality of lateral gas distribution manifolds extending away from the central manifold, and a plurality of downwardly projecting diffusers connected to the lateral gas distributors that release the inert gas at multiple simultaneous points within the ballast tank space. A method is further presented for using the diffuser array to sparge the ballast water with the inert gas to inhibit microbiological induced corrosion.

An anti-bird cover for a watercraft uses planar sheet of plastic netting with a small, but not micro, aperture to deter birds from perching. The aperture is formed by a plurality of filaments and knots. The filaments are between 0.25 and 2.00 in length, with the illustrated embodiment having filaments of 0.75. The plastic netting is formed from nylon, polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The perimeter of the netting is encircled by an elastic gather with two free ends. The two free ends of the elastic gather are captured by a bungee cord stop. The surface area of the planar sheet of plastic netting is 1.5 time the surface area of the watercraft to be covered, in order to make the present invention billow in the wind, thus deterring birds from perching.