A maneuverable platform capable of operating on both fluid bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. in either liquid or frozen form) and land is provided. The platform has an above water portion formed of one or more sections onto discrete sections of which are positioned a number of buoyant propulsion members configured to support the above water portion and engage a fluid body or the ground to collectively provide support, propulsion and steering for the platform. The buoyant propulsion members are configured such that they provide buoyancy to the platform when the platform is at rest and lift when the platform reaches a specified hydrodynamic speed such that the platform planes atop the fluid of the fluid body during operation. The maneuverable platform, including the above water portion and the buoyant propulsion members, may be modular such that the platform may be split into sections of predetermined configuration to operate independently.

A pneumatically controlled shellfish aquaculture apparatus is provided. A frame has containers for holding shellfish secured to the top side of the frame and tanks secured to the bottom side of the frame. Each tank has an air supply line connected to the tank and an opening on the bottom side of the tank. Each air supply line is connected to a manifold for controlling airflow to the tanks. Air is used to displace water in the tanks by pushing the water out of the openings in the bottom of the tanks in order to float the frame. To submerge the frame, the tanks are depressurized to allow water to displace the air in the tanks. When floating, the tanks lift the frame and the containers out of the water to allow air desiccation in order to prevent bio-fouling of the equipment and shellfish.

Various techniques are disclosed for the detection of discrepancies between imaged maritime vessels and received identification information. In one example, a method includes capturing an image of a maritime vessel and processing the image to extract information associated with the vessel. The method also includes receiving automatic identification system (AIS) data, comparing the extracted information to the AIS data, and generating an alarm in response to a discrepancy detected by the comparing. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also provided.

A container catching system, which is sea proof, includes a frame with a base on which a container is to be positioned, hinge pins secured to the frame above the base, and arms situated around the base, each arm having an abovementioned hinge pin. Arm portions situated above the hinge pin contact, in the unfolded state, a container to be lowered to guide the container towards the base, and arm portions situated below the hinge pin move outwards when they contact the container, thereby causing at least the top arm to engage the container.

A method of monitoring tube integrity of a high-speed transportation system. The high-speed transportation system includes at least one tube structure having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube structure between a plurality of stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the structure, and a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the structure. The tube structure is maintained as a low-pressure environment. The method includes directing a vehicle having at least one sensor along a tube path; and detecting a plume of air leaked from the low-pressure environment using the at least one sensor.

A method for analyzing a fluid of a pool by a floating system. The method may include sensing, by a sensor of the floating system, at least one out of (a) a wind parameter related to a wind that impinges on the floating system and (b) a movement of the floating system; wherein the floating system further comprises a top portion comprises at least one float, a submerged portion that comprises comprises a fluid analysis instrument, a power source, a controller, and a propulsion unit; determining, by the controller, an impact of the wind on the floating system based on the at least one out of the wind parameter and the movement of the floating system; controlling, by the controller, a movement of the floating system based, at least in part, on the impact of the wind; and analyzing, by the fluid analysis instrument, at one or more analysis points, the fluid of the pool to provide one or more fluid analysis results.

An improved system and method of storing water for a closed-loop pumped storage hydroelectric system is provided. The method includes providing a floating reservoir, positioning the floating reservoir in a waterbody, loading the floating reservoir with a volume of water from a source other than the surrounding waterbody, and transferring water from within the floating reservoir to an upper or lower reservoir of a pumped storage hydroelectric system. The floating reservoir includes a flexible membrane defining one or more reservoir cells including a vertically collapsible sidewall, such that each reservoir cell defines a depth varying in proportion to its internal volume of water. Each reservoir cell is buoyed by pontoons adjacent an outer periphery of the reservoir cell and is anchored to the shore or streambed.

An off-shore port system includes a land-based port infrastructure area, an off-shore cargo ship docking area located in a body of water, and a transportation system having at least one tube connecting the land-based port infrastructure area and the off-shore cargo ship docking area.

The disclosed invention is a device for non-lethally stopping or slowing any water jet propelled craft, such as a common personal watercraft (PWC), by disrupting the water suction and thereby reducing the generated thrust. Most PWCs have an inboard engine that is coupled to a water jet pump which uses an impeller to generate thrust. This invention is ingested by the PWC intake to either clog the intake gate (or screen) or fill critical volume in any portion of the jet pump (such as the intake, impeller, stator, or pressure nozzle). In any case, water flow through the jet drive is significantly reduced which reduces the vessel's thrust. PWCs depend on adequate water flow through the jet pump to generate the thrust required for propulsion and steerage, and to provide engine cooling. Since this invention is designed to interrupt water flow, the result is reduced speed, steerage, and/or engine overheating.

A green ECO mat (GECOMAT) for aeroponics and hydroponics comprises at least one fabric green ECO mat of cultivation being woven to have arrayed multiple 3D-coniform-shaped (alike pyramid shape) chambers, and at least one floating member connects to the fabric green ECO mat. The chambers of the mat are positioned seed, and the floating member floats the mat in a space full with fluid in the nature to collect moisture in the fluid to provide for germination of the seed and growth of the plant. The harvesting means moves back the floating member and the mat when growth of the plant is completed.