The present invention provides a board mountable system for filming underwater video. The inventive board mountable system can be mounted to the underside of water vehicles for incorporating a camera for filming from an underwater perspective. The inventive board mountable system is shaped to minimize drag as a result of the mounted camera or camera system. Embodiments of the inventive system includes a fin shaped housing for holding a camera or camera system. In certain embodiments, the fin is removably attached to the water vehicle, such as a surf board, where the fin housing can be swapped with other fins being used with the water vehicle for controlling the direction of a watersports board in motion. These embodiments of the inventive system further include a connection means for connecting the fin to the underside of a water vessel.

A system for monitoring a remote underwater location using an unmanned underwater vessel (5). The system includes an unmanned surface vessel (8), a communication unit (7) for submerged location and connected to the unmanned surface vessel (8) and in which the unmanned surface vessel has a position tracking control system for controlling the position of that vessel on a body of water and relative to the unmanned underwater vehicle (5). The communication unit (7) has a first wireless communication arrangement for communication with the unmanned underwater vehicle, a second wired communication arrangement (10) for communication with the unmanned surface vessel and the unmanned surface vessel has a third communication arrangement for communication with an operator or observer (1) remote from the unmanned surface vessel and the unmanned underwater vehicle. The three communication arrangements are arranged in series such that, in use, the operator or observer may communication with the unmanned/autonomous underwater vehicle via the unmanned surface vessel, the wired connection between the unmanned surface vessel and the communication unit, and the wireless connection between the communication unit and the unmanned underwater vehicle.

Techniques are provided for an unmanned surface vehicle including a vehicle body and a rigid square-rig wing coupled with the primary vehicle body. The rigid square-rig wing includes a first surface configured to interact with wind to generate a force that propels the primary vehicle body in a direction of travel that is primarily composed of drag, and a second surface configured to interact with the wind to generate a force that propels the primary vehicle body in a direction of travel that is primarily composed of lift. The unmanned surface vehicle further includes a rudder and a control system comprising a controller, the control system configured to determine a rudder position and generate a signal to position the rudder to the rudder position.

A vessel docking system has a vessel such as a scow and/or a tugboat, a platform such as a barge and/or a dredger, an optical distance measuring means, a vessel display unit, and a control means. The vessel display unit is configured to display a position and a location of the vessel and/or the platform. The optical distance measuring means is in communication with the vessel display unit. The optical distance measuring means includes a sensor, a laser, and lens. The optical distance measuring means is configured to determine a distance and a pathway between the platform and the vessel.

A system for power and data transmission in a body of water to unmanned underwater vehicles comprises a floating surface station for generating electric energy and receiving and transmitting data; an underwater station connectable to at least one unmanned underwater vehicle; at least one submerged depth buoy; and an umbilical, which comprises a power transmission line and a data transmission line, is mechanically and electrically connected to the surface station and to the underwater station, and is mechanically coupled to the depth buoy so that the umbilical comprises a first umbilical section that is stretched between the underwater station and the depth buoy and a second umbilical section that extends loose between the depth buoy and the surface station.

Provided are various devices, systems and methods for observing pumps and the like.

Provided is an industrial endoscope including an imaging device, a flexible holding member configured to hold the imaging device, and one or a plurality of nozzles fixed to the holding member and which injects a fluid.

Method performed by a first communication device (101) operating in a wireless communications network (100). The first communication device (101) obtains (201) a first set of one or more values indicating an observed speed of a boat (151) relative to a power of an engine (161) of the boat (151). The speed and the first indication are obtained by from sensors (171, 172) in the boat (151). The first communication device (101) then obtains (205) a second indication of an external factor on the hull of the boat (151) causing friction against water. The obtaining (205) of the second indication is based at least on: the obtained first set, and a reference. The reference is based on one of: a) a threshold, and b) a mathematical model. The first communication device (101) also initiates providing (206) a third indication of the external factor to a device (103), based on the obtained second indication.

Systems and methods for high bandwidth optical communications using a swarm of optically linked autonomous underwater vehicles and support vehicles that allow communications over long-distances between two points and over a wide area. At least one of the linked autonomous underwater vehicles transmit the optical communications to a control station and can receive control communications from the station. Communication pathways and networks between vehicles in the swarm are dynamic and may be redundant.

One or more specific embodiments herein includes a personal flotation device, comprising a vest capable of floating in water and having front panels; a power source; a light source; at least two support straps; a first electrical cable; and a second electrical cable. Further, the first electrical cable and the second electrical cable are capable of being connected to one another to form a connector assembly through which electrical current is capable of flowing, and the connector assembly includes a housing for preventing water from contacting the electrical current when the connector assembly is formed.

An underwater data capture and transmission system has a base configured to sink in water, at least one sensor configured to capture data while submerged in water, a processing unit configured to receive data collected by the sensor, and a variable buoy. The variable buoy has a ballast system configured to adjust a depth of the variable buoy in the water, and a communication device configured to transmit data to a remote communications device. The system further has at least one tether connecting at least the base, the processing unit, and the variable buoy.