A drilling system configured to install a tap assembly into a ship skin is disclosed. The drilling system comprises a remotely-operated underwater vehicle and a drilling assembly configured to be operated by the remotely-operated underwater vehicle. The drilling assembly comprises a frame comprising an attachment element configured to hold the drilling assembly to a surface of the ship skin. The drilling assembly further comprises a drill actuation system comprising a linear actuator attached to the frame and a rotary actuator, wherein an actuation of the linear actuator is configured to move the rotary actuator relative to the frame to install the tap assembly into the ship skin by driving the tap assembly with the rotary actuator and the linear actuator.

The present invention comprises a reusable recovery system for sport fishing rod-and-reel combinations that are dropped overboard, which floats the fishing rod-and-reel to the surface of the water. The core components of the invention are a hollow tube, a gas cartridge, an inflatable bag, configured as follows: a tube is attached to the fishing rod handle as not to interfere with normal fishing operations, a gas cartridge with the discharge side of the cartridge pointed toward the open end of the tube, an inflatable bag is folded to fit in the tube and attached to receive the gas when discharged, the open end of the tube has a cap that allows water to enter at a certain depth of water. In some embodiments the invention can be used to recover gear lost overboard on a boat, like a fishing rod and reel.

The present invention comprises a reusable recovery system for sport fishing rod-and-reel combinations that are dropped overboard, which floats the fishing rod-and-reel to the surface of the water. The core components of the invention are a hollow tube, a gas cartridge, an inflatable bag, configured as follows: a tube is attached to the fishing rod handle as not to interfere with normal fishing operations, a gas cartridge with the discharge side of the cartridge pointed toward the open end of the tube, an inflatable bag is folded to fit in the tube and attached to receive the gas when discharged, the open end of the tube has a cap that allows water to enter at a certain depth of water. In some embodiments the invention can be used to recover gear lost overboard on a boat, like a fishing rod and reel.

A flexible lifting tether system for lifting a marine vehicle or object is described which is capable of significantly improving the primary characteristics of an existing cable by enhancing load-carrying capabilities (e.g. in air), modifying the tether to have altered specific gravities in water, and relieving torsional stresses when in operation.

A retrieval system and methods of preparing and using same to retrieve underwater objects from a selected depth, including a flotation device having at least a selected amount of buoyancy, a release mechanism that is capable of releasably engaging an anchor, and a controller to actuate the release mechanism when a selected condition is achieved. The system further includes a spool assembly having a frame for carrying (i) the floatation device, (ii) the release mechanism, (iii) the controller and (iv) in combination with the flotation device, a quantity of pre-wound line having a length greater than the selected depth.

A dinghy has a hull with gunwales supporting a Bimini top. The Bimini top includes a primary bow supporting secondary and intermediate bows. A UV stabilized polyester Bimini canvas is supported on the bows by fore, aft, and intermediate sleeve portions. The underside of the Bimini canvas supports port and starboard buoyancy aid assemblies each comprising a bladder which is inflatable by an inflation mechanism and CO.sub.2 cartridge, and is maintained in its collapsed state by tape loop assemblies adjustable by hook-pile self-fastenings which are frangible on inflation. A protective cover is stitched to the Bimini canvas and is provided with hook-pile fastening means frangible on inflation. A toggle handle pulls a lanyard which passes into the primary bow to operate the mechanism to inflate the bladder.

The present invention relates to a wire cutting system and method for subsea cutting of large structures (6). The system includes two feeding towers (2) with feeding tower first ends secured into a seabed floor. A crossbeam (1) is located between the two feeding towers (2). Wire feeding trolleys (8) are connected to the feeding towers (2), whereby the wire feeding trolleys (8) are allowed to move a cutting distance along the feeding towers. A cutting wire (4) traverses between the wire feeding trolleys.

A water vessel flotation system is disclosed comprising a plurality of inflatable bladders disposed within a vessel. In the event of capsizing or hull rupture, the bladders can be automatically inflated with compressed gas. Inflation of the bladders can be performed by one or more omni directional float triggered valves coupled between the compressed gas tanks and the bladders. Each valve is operated by a lever having a flexible link (e.g. a chain) attached to its end. The flexible link extends somewhat perpendicularly away from the lever end to pass through an eyelet at distal point. A float is attached to the flexible link after exiting the eyelet allowing the buoyant action of the float in any direction to cause the flexible link to be pulled toward the eyelet and thereby pulling the lever end and opening the valve.

A drilling system configured to install a tap assembly into a ship skin is disclosed. The drilling system comprises a remotely-operated underwater vehicle and a drilling assembly configured to be operated by the remotely-operated underwater vehicle. The drilling assembly comprises a frame comprising an attachment element configured to hold the drilling assembly to a surface of the ship skin. The drilling assembly further comprises a drill actuation system comprising a linear actuator attached to the frame and a rotary actuator, wherein an actuation of the linear actuator is configured to move the rotary actuator relative to the frame to install the tap assembly into the ship skin by driving the tap assembly with the rotary actuator and the linear actuator.

A nonlimiting example of a yacht preserver includes a handle, an inflator device connected to an upper end of the handle and an inflatable bladder connected to a lower end of the handle. In this nonlimiting example, the inflator device includes a gas canister that is connected to the inflatable bladder by a tube and is configured to deliver gas to inflate the bladder upon activation. The yacht preserver may be used to seal an opening of a yacht by placing the uninflated bladder near the opening in the yacht and activating the inflator device allowing the bladder to expand to seal the opening.