A device for handling and towing a submersible object installed on a ship, comprises: a tilting structure supported by a support, and able to pivot with respect to the support about a first axis parallel to a plane to extend horizontally, the tilting structure equipped with a first guide device allowing the cable to be guided, a pivot connection about a second axis situated in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, arranged to allow a rotary part of the tilting structure to rotate with respect to the support, the rotary part equipped with the first guide device, a stabilizing device arranged to keep the rotary part of the tilting structure in a deployed position with respect to the support as long as a torque of the relative pivoting between the rotary part and the support about the second axis is below or equal to a predetermined threshold, and to allow the rotary part, equipped with the first guide device, to rotate with respect to the support about the second axis once a torque of relative pivoting between the rotary part and the support about the second exceeds the threshold.

A device for handling and towing a submersible object installed on a ship, comprises: a tilting structure supported by a support, and able to pivot with respect to the support about a first axis parallel to a plane to extend horizontally, the tilting structure equipped with a first guide device allowing the cable to be guided, a pivot connection about a second axis situated in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, arranged to allow a rotary part of the tilting structure to rotate with respect to the support, the rotary part equipped with the first guide device, a stabilizing device arranged to keep the rotary part of the tilting structure in a deployed position with respect to the support as long as a torque of the relative pivoting between the rotary part and the support about the second axis is below or equal to a predetermined threshold, and to allow the rotary part, equipped with the first guide device, to rotate with respect to the support about the second axis once a torque of relative pivoting between the rotary part and the support about the second exceeds the threshold.

A system for deploying and recovering an autonomous underwater device (AUD) using a surface carrier ship, includes, in addition to the carrier ship, a subaquatic vehicle (SV) guided by a connection wire connected to the carrier ship, the SV able to be positioned in a storage configuration wherein the SV is fixedly but removably joined to the carrier ship in a storage zone, or in a configuration for use, in which the SV, separated from the carrier ship, is in the water and at a distance from the carrier ship while remaining connected by the connection wire, the SV including propulsion, guiding and stabilizing systems and a station for receiving the AUD allowing it to be removably attached to the SV, the receiving station and the AUD including a complementary automated docking unit allowing the AUD to automatically dock with the receiving station during recovery and attach itself thereto.

A system for deploying and recovering an autonomous underwater device (AUD) using a surface carrier ship, includes, in addition to the carrier ship, a subaquatic vehicle (SV) guided by a connection wire connected to the carrier ship, the SV able to be positioned in a storage configuration wherein the SV is fixedly but removably joined to the carrier ship in a storage zone, or in a configuration for use, in which the SV, separated from the carrier ship, is in the water and at a distance from the carrier ship while remaining connected by the connection wire, the SV including propulsion, guiding and stabilizing systems and a station for receiving the AUD allowing it to be removably attached to the SV, the receiving station and the AUD including a complementary automated docking unit allowing the AUD to automatically dock with the receiving station during recovery and attach itself thereto.

A method and apparatus for rapid loading stacks of items aboard vessels which can include rotating palletized items to depalletize the items, and then placing the items on a lifting robot, lifting the robot and items into the hold of a vessel, removing the items from the robot using a load push lift truck, and then using the load push lift truck to stow the items in a stowage location. The empty robot can be removed from the hold of the vessel and put in a position to receive a another depalletized stack of cartons. In one option the robot has a plurality of fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck along with receiving the blades or a rotating lift truck.

A floating power-generation group comprises a floating hub such as a spar buoy that is anchored to subsea foundations by anchor lines. Floating power producer units such as wind turbines are connected electrically and mechanically to the hub. The power producer units are each moored by mooring lines. At least one mooring line extends inwardly toward the hub to effect mechanical connection to the hub and at least one other mooring line extends outwardly toward a subsea foundation. The groups are combined as a set whose hubs are connected electrically to each other via subsea energy storage units. Anchor lines of different groups can share subsea foundations. The storage units comprise pumping machinery to expel water from an elongate storage volume and generating machinery to generate electricity from a flow of water entering the storage volume. The pumping machinery may be in deeper water than the generating machinery.

An autonomous vessel and method for transporting a cargo from an origin to a destination utilizing water currents, a satellite location system, and a satellite communication system includes a hull for navigating a body of water. A communication module is adapted for wireless communication with local contacts and the satellite communication system. A propulsion module is adapted to propel the hull through the body of water and preferably includes one or more relatively low-power electric motors. A navigation module is adapted to steer the hull towards a next waypoint. The navigation module preferably includes a rudder control system and is connected with a location module that is itself adapted for communication with the satellite location system to find a current location of the hull on the body of water. A controller is adapted for controlling the modules, sending information, and for receiving commands and information.

An autonomous vessel and method for transporting a cargo from an origin to a destination utilizing water currents, a satellite location system, and a satellite communication system includes a hull for navigating a body of water. A communication module is adapted for wireless communication with local contacts and the satellite communication system. A propulsion module is adapted to propel the hull through the body of water and preferably includes one or more relatively low-power electric motors. A navigation module is adapted to steer the hull towards a next waypoint. The navigation module preferably includes a rudder control system and is connected with a location module that is itself adapted for communication with the satellite location system to find a current location of the hull on the body of water. A controller is adapted for controlling the modules, sending information, and for receiving commands and information.

A passage assist provides a temporary support to stabilize passage of a person over a surface, such as in a boat. The passage assist can be a fold down railing that in a deployed position presents a handle or railing in a location to be easily grasped by a person walking on the adjacent surface, such as the deck of a boat. In a collapsed or stowed position, the fold down railing can be positioned completely out of the way so that it provides no impediment or barrier to movement on the surface. In the case of a boat, the fold down railing does not permanently occupy precious space within the boat.

A passage assist provides a temporary support to stabilize passage of a person over a surface, such as in a boat. The passage assist can be a fold down railing that in a deployed position presents a handle or railing in a location to be easily grasped by a person walking on the adjacent surface, such as the deck of a boat. In a collapsed or stowed position, the fold down railing can be positioned completely out of the way so that it provides no impediment or barrier to movement on the surface. In the case of a boat, the fold down railing does not permanently occupy precious space within the boat.