A buoyant structure having a hull, a main deck, an upper cylindrical side section extending downwardly from the main deck, an upper frustoconical side section, a cylindrical neck, a lower ellipsoidal section that extends from the cylindrical neck, an ellipsoidal keel and a fin-shaped appendage secured to a lower and an outer portion of the exterior of the ellipsoid keel. The upper frustoconical side section located below the upper cylindrical side section and maintained to be above a water line for a transport depth and partially below the water line for an operational depth of the buoyant structure.

A buoyant structure having a hull, a main deck, an upper cylindrical side section extending downwardly from the main deck, an upper frustoconical side section, a cylindrical neck, a lower ellipsoidal section that extends from the cylindrical neck, an ellipsoidal keel and a fin-shaped appendage secured to a lower and an outer portion of the exterior of the ellipsoid keel. The upper frustoconical side section located below the upper cylindrical side section and maintained to be above a water line for a transport depth and partially below the water line for an operational depth of the buoyant structure.

A control system and a method are for maneuvering an elongated element which projects in a pivotable manner from a foundation. The landing place is provided with a camera-readable pattern. The projecting end portion is provided with at least one camera which is arranged to imagine the graphic pattern when the end portion is near the landing place. The camera is connected in a signal-communicating manner to an image processor. The image processor is arranged to determine the position of the camera relative to the pattern by an image analysis and convert the image information into control parameters for the control system to position the projecting end portion relative to the landing place.

A control system and a method are for maneuvering an elongated element which projects in a pivotable manner from a foundation. The landing place is provided with a camera-readable pattern. The projecting end portion is provided with at least one camera which is arranged to imagine the graphic pattern when the end portion is near the landing place. The camera is connected in a signal-communicating manner to an image processor. The image processor is arranged to determine the position of the camera relative to the pattern by an image analysis and convert the image information into control parameters for the control system to position the projecting end portion relative to the landing place.

A method and device to balance a tiltable arm comprising a free extremity and having a pivot point on a mounting structure which is supported by a floating object, by providing the arm with suspension and/or support means for controlling the arm's inclination with respect to the horizon, and by providing said suspension and/or support means with at least one spring, wherein the spring connects to the arm and to said mounting structure, and embodying the spring as a passive spring which is arranged to balance the arm so as to stabilize a position of a free extremity of the arm during movements of the floating object.

A walkway installation includes a base (1) intended to be fastened to a support construction, such as to the deck (5) of a ship (6), as well as a base bridge part (2) that is connected at one end so it can be rotated around an upright base axis of rotation (11) with the base. Furthermore, a main bridge part (4) is positioned on the other end of the base bridge part (1) as well as a hinge construction between the base bridge part (1) and the main bridge part (2). The hinge construction has an upright main axis of rotation (12) and an auxiliary axis of rotation (13) aligned transversely to the upright main axis of rotation and transversely to the main bridge part. By rotating the gangplank parts, the installation may be adjusted in a reliable and quick way in relation to a fixed object or another vessel.

A walkway installation includes a base (1) intended to be fastened to a support construction, such as to the deck (5) of a ship (6), as well as a base bridge part (2) that is connected at one end so it can be rotated around an upright base axis of rotation (11) with the base. Furthermore, a main bridge part (4) is positioned on the other end of the base bridge part (1) as well as a hinge construction between the base bridge part (1) and the main bridge part (2). The hinge construction has an upright main axis of rotation (12) and an auxiliary axis of rotation (13) aligned transversely to the upright main axis of rotation and transversely to the main bridge part. By rotating the gangplank parts, the installation may be adjusted in a reliable and quick way in relation to a fixed object or another vessel.

Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.

Boats can include a swim platform with an integrated system of steps that can be selectively deployed and retracted. Such platforms can be attached to a transom of a boat or can be fabricated as an extended portion of the boat's hull. In another embodiment, deployable steps can be integrated with a boat's hull as a side-entry door. In order to reconfigure the step system into a deployed configuration, a linkage is actuated that causes the step system to unfold, forming steps (or a seating configuration) at least partially below the water line. Since the steps can be deployed below the water line, a swimmer can more easily get on board the boat.

Apparatus and methods for recovering watercraft. A ramp is movable relative to a stationary carrying apparatus between a recovering position and a parked position. The ramp includes a frame and a deformable body, which is fastened to the frame. When the ramp is in the recovering position, the deformable body points toward the watercraft to be recovered and is located at least partially above the water surface. The watercraft travels onto the ramp and deforms the deformable body from above. The watercraft is pulled out of the water and moved onto the carrying apparatus.