Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

A launch and recovery apparatus is for a surface vessel, a surface vessel is for use on water, and related methods are for launching or recovering an underwater unit. The unmanned surface vessel may have a ramp member for providing a ramp structure under the water for facilitating launch or recovery of the underwater unit, the ramp structure having an incline for the underwater unit and an aperture or gap penetrating through the ramp structure for communicating a flow of water in the aperture or gap relative to the vessel. The surface vessel is advanced across the water, obtaining a flow of water relative to the vessel in the aperture or gap through the underwater ramp structure, the underwater unit is supported on the incline of the ramp structure, and the underwater unit is moved up or down the incline to facilitate the launch or recovery of the underwater unit.

A telescopic gangway, comprising a main gangway part and a telescoping gangway part that is telescopable with respect to the main gangway in a longitudinal direction. The gangway comprises a hoisting mechanism provided with a telescoping decoupling mechanism for compensating a variation of the wire end portion length caused by a telescoping movement of the telescoping gangway.

A telescopic gangway, comprising a main gangway part and a telescoping gangway part that is telescopable with respect to the main gangway in a longitudinal direction. The gangway comprises a hoisting mechanism provided with a telescoping decoupling mechanism for compensating a variation of the wire end portion length caused by a telescoping movement of the telescoping gangway.

Vessel (60), comprising a transverse bow (62) with an elongated bow fender (10) protruding with respect to the bow (62), which bow fender (10) is designed to be pushed against a stationary object (50), said vessel 60) further comprises at least two engagement arms (20) with telescopic parts (22,24), said engagements arms (20) are mounted in a position above the bow fender (10) and facing each other, and each engagement arm (20) is pivotable against each other for engagement with the stationary object (50) from opposite directions. Each engagement arm (20) comprises a tiltable engagement pad (26) with a contacting surface (26a) creating stabilizing contact between the contacting surfaces (26a) of the engagement pads (26) and at least a part of the stationary object (50), said engagement pads (26) being tiltable about an axis running in same longitudinal direction as the engagement arms (20).

Passenger bridge (100), comprising a proximal end (110), comprising a passenger passage opening (111); a distal end (120), comprising a bridge head (121); at least one first bridge segments (130), a proximal one (131) of which comprises, at the said proximal end (110), said passenger passage opening (111); at least one second segments (140), a distal one (142) of which comprises, at said distal end (120), the bridge head (121); a first support structure (150), arranged to support said first (130) and second (140) bridge segments so that at least one of said first segments (130) and at least one of said second segments (140) can be individually tilted; whereby the said first (130) and second (140) bridge segments together form a connected passage way for passengers between the proximal (110) and distal (120) ends, allowing the bridge head (121) to move vertically in relation the proximal end (110) by said bridge segments (130,140) tilting; characterised in that the length of the distal second bridge segment (142) can be telescopably adjusted, thereby moving the bridge head (121) horizontally in relation to the proximal end (110), and in that the passenger bridge (100) further comprises a second support structure (160), supporting the distal end (120) and being individually horizontally movable in relation to the first support structure (150).

Passenger bridge (100), comprising a proximal end (110), comprising a passenger passage opening (111); a distal end (120), comprising a bridge head (121); at least one first bridge segments (130), a proximal one (131) of which comprises, at the said proximal end (110), said passenger passage opening (111); at least one second segments (140), a distal one (142) of which comprises, at said distal end (120), the bridge head (121); a first support structure (150), arranged to support said first (130) and second (140) bridge segments so that at least one of said first segments (130) and at least one of said second segments (140) can be individually tilted; whereby the said first (130) and second (140) bridge segments together form a connected passage way for passengers between the proximal (110) and distal (120) ends, allowing the bridge head (121) to move vertically in relation the proximal end (110) by said bridge segments (130,140) tilting; characterised in that the length of the distal second bridge segment (142) can be telescopably adjusted, thereby moving the bridge head (121) horizontally in relation to the proximal end (110), and in that the passenger bridge (100) further comprises a second support structure (160), supporting the distal end (120) and being individually horizontally movable in relation to the first support structure (150).

The present disclosure includes recreational watercraft including a drop down boarding point. One example includes a hull, an open platform passenger deck, and a plurality of sides, continuous from the hull. The watercraft includes a panel drop down boarding point, hingedly attached horizontally to the hull, for ingress and egress of persons to the watercraft. The panel drop down boarding point includes a first surface interior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, a second surface, opposite to the first surface and exterior to the watercraft when the panel drop down boarding point is closed, and an aperture formed between the first surface and the second surface and having an opening in an end surface of the panel drop down boarding point. The aperture is sized and shaped to house a retractable ladder and for the ladder to extend out through the opening.

A boat, having a transom, includes one or more aft-facing seats. Each aft-facing seat is positioned proximate to the transom and includes a seat bottom that is inclined at a downward angle in a direction extending from aft to fore, a seatback, a headrest, a seat support structure having at least one hidden compartment therein, and at least one pivot mechanism attached to the seatback and the headrest and configured to allow the seatback to move between a first position in which the seatback is capable of supporting the back of a person seated in the seat and a second position in which the seatback is pivoted upwardly to allow access to the compartment and the headrest to move between an upright position and a folded position. A plurality of handles may be provided for each aft-facing seat, with one at an outboard side and another at an inboard side.