Cables for propulsion and/or guidance of cable ferries are disclosed which permit their use on longer ferry routes. One embodiment provides the use of cables for propulsion and/or guidance of cable ferries where the unit weight, density, specific gravity and/or diameter of the cable is variable over the length of the cable. According to one embodiment, heavier or denser cable is used adjacent to the terminals, while lighter or less dense cable is used for a middle section. Where sections have positive buoyancy, the cable may be tethered to one or more anchors. Where sections have negative buoyancy, the cable may be tethered to one or more floats.

Cables for propulsion and/or guidance of cable ferries are disclosed which permit their use on longer ferry routes. One embodiment provides the use of cables for propulsion and/or guidance of cable ferries where the unit weight, density, specific gravity and/or diameter of the cable is variable over the length of the cable. According to one embodiment, heavier or denser cable is used adjacent to the terminals, while lighter or less dense cable is used for a middle section. Where sections have positive buoyancy, the cable may be tethered to one or more anchors. Where sections have negative buoyancy, the cable may be tethered to one or more floats.

Disclosed is an underwater drop type position guiding apparatus, the apparatus including an underwater drop type body having a lower end part in a shape of a cone pointing downward. The underwater drop type body is provided with a GPS module, an underwater communication transmitter, a controller, and a battery. After being installed on the sea floor by being dropped to the water from above the surface of the water, the apparatus guides underwater coordinates to various underwater vehicles using GPS location information having received from above the surface of the water.

An improved rig is provided for sailing craft, in which two sails are provided in the general shape of tapered tubes encircling each of two adjacent masts arrayed in an A-frame configuration. In the course of a tack, the sails may be swung pendulum-like either towards or away from the bow (one in each direction). The two sails therefore effectively alternate between serving the role of a jib (with sail-area mainly forward of a mast), and the role of a mainsail (with sail-area mainly aft of a mast). The same set of sails on the same masts may also advantageously be deployed for use in high winds, running downwind, heaving-to, and running before a storm.

The invention relates to the field of methods and floating platforms for exploiting wind energy offshore. In particular, the invention provides a floating platform (1) anchored to at least one anchor point (7, 7), including a wind turbine (2), and a shift device for shifting the wind turbine (2), which device is configured to shift the wind turbine (2) as a function of a set of parameters, including wind direction (V), in order to minimize the aerodynamic wake effects, and the invention also provides a method of exploiting wind energy by means of a set of floating platforms (1), each of which includes at least one wind turbine (2) and is anchored to at least one anchor point (7,7). In this method, at least one wind turbine (2) of said set of floating platforms is shifted as a function of a set of parameters, including wind direction (V) in order to minimize the aerodynamic wake effects and in order to maximize the power generation of the set of wind turbines.