This invention relates to a winch and to a method of using the winch. The winch is ideally adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle such as a mini-excavator, and is likely to find its greatest utility in relation to the removal of underground pipes, electricity conduits, fibre optic cables and the like, as well as in the bursting of pipes. The invention provides a winch comprising a support column, a base, a magazine, a drive mechanism and a mounting structure. The drive mechanism is connected to the magazine and is adapted to rotate the magazine in use. The support column connects the magazine to the base. The mounting structure is adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle. The winch has a rotatable connection between the base and the mounting structure which is securable in a chosen rotational position, so that the base of the winch can be correctly aligned regardless of the orientation of the vehicle.

This invention relates to a winch and to a method of using the winch. The winch is ideally adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle such as a mini-excavator, and is likely to find its greatest utility in relation to the removal of underground pipes, electricity conduits, fibre optic cables and the like, as well as in the bursting of pipes. The invention provides a winch comprising a support column, a base, a magazine, a drive mechanism and a mounting structure. The drive mechanism is connected to the magazine and is adapted to rotate the magazine in use. The support column connects the magazine to the base. The mounting structure is adapted for mounting to the boom of a vehicle. The winch has a rotatable connection between the base and the mounting structure which is securable in a chosen rotational position, so that the base of the winch can be correctly aligned regardless of the orientation of the vehicle.

An underwater detection device includes a surface drive boat and an unmanned underwater vehicle. The surface drive boat includes: a hull; transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and orbit vectored thrusters arranged at the bottom of the hull; a control box arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and the orbit vectored thrusters; a cable and a cable winding assembly arranged on the hull, the control box being connected with the unmanned underwater vehicle by the cable, the cable winding assembly being electrically connected with the control box; and a positioning assembly arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the control box.

An underwater detection device includes a surface drive boat and an unmanned underwater vehicle. The surface drive boat includes: a hull; transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and orbit vectored thrusters arranged at the bottom of the hull; a control box arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and the orbit vectored thrusters; a cable and a cable winding assembly arranged on the hull, the control box being connected with the unmanned underwater vehicle by the cable, the cable winding assembly being electrically connected with the control box; and a positioning assembly arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the control box.

An underwater object retrieval device for selective deployment to retrieve underwater objects includes an inflation unit that is configured to inflate upon command. A coupler is configured for coupling to an object to be placed underwater. A tether line has a first end, which is coupled to the inflation unit, and a second end, which is coupled to the coupler. A line storage unit is coupled to the tether line proximate to the second end. The line storage unit is positioned to house the tether line, such that the tether line is extensible from the line storage unit. The inflation unit is positioned to inflate upon user directed command, such that the inflation unit is buoyant. The tether line is extended from the line storage unit, such that the inflation unit reaches the water surface. The tether line is configured for retrieving the object to the surface.

An underwater object retrieval device for selective deployment to retrieve underwater objects includes an inflation unit that is configured to inflate upon command. A coupler is configured for coupling to an object to be placed underwater. A tether line has a first end, which is coupled to the inflation unit, and a second end, which is coupled to the coupler. A line storage unit is coupled to the tether line proximate to the second end. The line storage unit is positioned to house the tether line, such that the tether line is extensible from the line storage unit. The inflation unit is positioned to inflate upon user directed command, such that the inflation unit is buoyant. The tether line is extended from the line storage unit, such that the inflation unit reaches the water surface. The tether line is configured for retrieving the object to the surface.

A method and structure for mooring seaworthy craft against boat landings is disclosed. The structure comprises a fender (4) with a layer of compressible material having an exposed surface, mounted on the craft. Anchor points (12) are secured at laterally spaced locations on the craft, as are two draw mechanisms (14), one associated with each anchor point (12). A tie (10) is provided for extending from each anchor point (12) to its associated draw mechanism (14), and each mechanism is operable to draw its respective tie from an anchor point around a pylon thereby urging the fender (4) against both pylons. In the mooring process, the craft is first steered to the boat landing to engage the fender (4) against the pylons (6), and the ties (10) are withdrawn from each draw mechanism (14) and taken around one of the pylons. Each tie is then attached to an anchor point (12) on the craft, and the mechanisms (14) are activated to draw the ties (10) around the pylons to urge the fender (4) against them. A control system maintains the required tension in the ties to secure the mooring.

A method and structure for mooring seaworthy craft against boat landings is disclosed. The structure comprises a fender (4) with a layer of compressible material having an exposed surface, mounted on the craft. Anchor points (12) are secured at laterally spaced locations on the craft, as are two draw mechanisms (14), one associated with each anchor point (12). A tie (10) is provided for extending from each anchor point (12) to its associated draw mechanism (14), and each mechanism is operable to draw its respective tie from an anchor point around a pylon thereby urging the fender (4) against both pylons. In the mooring process, the craft is first steered to the boat landing to engage the fender (4) against the pylons (6), and the ties (10) are withdrawn from each draw mechanism (14) and taken around one of the pylons. Each tie is then attached to an anchor point (12) on the craft, and the mechanisms (14) are activated to draw the ties (10) around the pylons to urge the fender (4) against them. A control system maintains the required tension in the ties to secure the mooring.

Disclosed is a system and method for static and dynamic positioning or motion control of a marine structure by using real-time monitoring of at least one of a mooring line, marine environments, 6-dof movement of a marine structure, a tank state, a ship topside, the seabed, or their combinations. The static and dynamic real-time monitoring data of the mooring line is obtained and processed for positioning the marine structure or controlling and managing a motion thereof. Here, 1) a tension of a mooring line is measured by means of real-time monitoring of the mooring line, 2) various marine environment elements such as wind direction, wind speed, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, atmosphere temperature, cloud height, visibility, ocean wave, wave height, sea current speed, sea current direction, rain or the like are measured by means of real-time monitoring of the marine environments, 3) 6-dof movement of the marine structure is measured by means of real-time monitoring of the marine structure, 4) ullage and sloshing data of various tanks in the marine structure are measured by means of real-time monitoring of tank states, 5) damage and life of pipes, facilities or the like located at a ship topside of the marine structure are measured by means of real-time monitoring of the ship topside, 6) damage and life of umbilical cables, pipes, pumps and valves located on the seabed are measured by means of real-time monitoring of the seabed, and suitable static and dynamic positioning or motion control and management may be automatically performed based thereon.

A sea vessel (1), such as a tugboat or a fishing vessel, including a hydraulic winch (10) connected to a hydraulic system (100), and at least one main engine with a main engine crankshaft (22) connected to a propeller or a thruster. The hydraulic system (100) comprising: a first, hydraulically powered genset (106) including a hydraulic motor and a generator, at least one hydraulic pump (105) connected to said crankshaft (22). The hydraulic pump (105) is configured for driving said first genset (106) to generate electricity, and the hydraulic pump (105) is configured for driving said hydraulic winch (10), and first valve element (102) are used for selectively directing hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic winch (10) or to said first genset (106) of said hydraulic system.