An assembly (3) comprising at least a first module (1) and a second module (2) with respective longitudinal axes (5) is described. Each one of the modules (1, 2) comprises a connection side (6, 7, 8, 9) which is facing the other module (1, 2) and is arranged between the upper side (6, 7, 8, 9) and the underside (20, 42), and at least two elongated bendable members (12) which connects the first module (1) with the second module (2). The first module (1) comprises at least a first connection side (6) which comprises a first recess (13) which is a part of a rotationally symmetrical form with a symmetry axis (43) which is parallel with the connection side (6). The assembly (3) comprises at least a first connection member (17), which comprises an inelastic member (22) and a longitudinal axis (35) which is parallel with the symmetry axis (43), and which is in engagement with and rotatable around the symmetry axis (43) in relation to the first recess (13).

Ships for navigating in icy waters are provided. Such ships include in the stern area a wedge which extends from bottom of the ship downwards transversely to the ship. The wedge may have a first surface inclined towards the bow and a second surface inclined towards stern with respect to a horizontal plane. These two surfaces can be connected to each other forming a lower edge of wedge. The wedge is at least partially arranged below waterline of the ship. The first inclined surface is dimensioned in such a way that in the case of forward motion, the first surface contacting the flow of water, generates a lift force in order to modify the longitudinal trim of the ship acting as a trim wedge. The second inclined surface also is shaped advantageously in the case of reverse motion in icy waters.

Ships for navigating in icy waters are provided. Such ships include in the stern area a wedge which extends from bottom of the ship downwards transversely to the ship. The wedge may have a first surface inclined towards the bow and a second surface inclined towards stern with respect to a horizontal plane. These two surfaces can be connected to each other forming a lower edge of wedge. The wedge is at least partially arranged below waterline of the ship. The first inclined surface is dimensioned in such a way that in the case of forward motion, the first surface contacting the flow of water, generates a lift force in order to modify the longitudinal trim of the ship acting as a trim wedge. The second inclined surface also is shaped advantageously in the case of reverse motion in icy waters.

A skeg mounts from the stern of a towing vessel and extends below the waterline. A channel in the skeg protects cables for steamers and a source (e.g., air gun array) of a seismic system deployed from the vessel. Tow points on the skeg lie below the water's surface and connect to towlines to support the steamers and the source. A floatation device supports the source and tows below the water's surface to avoid ice floes or other issues encountered at the water's surface. Seismic streamers have head floats supporting the streamers. Each of the floats has adjustable buoyancy preconfigured to counterbalance the weight in water of the towed component that the float supports. Acoustic signals from a transceiver at the vessel find locations of the towed components. A towed fish at a lower level than the towed components also uses acoustic signals with a transceiver to further refine the locations of the towed components.

A device for ice-breaking with a vessel has two functionally separate upper and lower elements of different widths. The upper, wider element is situated next to the water line for breaking unbroken ice, and the lower, narrower element is situated below the upper element and for transporting broken ice sideways and under the unbroken ice. The upper wider element has a flat lower portion abaft an inclining front part with a small frame angle and breaks ice downward when moving ahead, and a flat stern part with a small frame angle and breaks ice downward when moving astern. The lower element has vertical side portions which in the forebody and the afterbody have a marked wedge-shape and shove broken ice sideways. Transport of broken ice sideways and astern can be augmented by bow propellers and wing propellers.

A device for ice-breaking with a vessel has two functionally separate upper and lower elements of different widths. The upper, wider element is situated next to the water line for breaking unbroken ice, and the lower, narrower element is situated below the upper element and for transporting broken ice sideways and under the unbroken ice. The upper wider element has a flat lower portion abaft an inclining front part with a small frame angle and breaks ice downward when moving ahead, and a flat stern part with a small frame angle and breaks ice downward when moving astern. The lower element has vertical side portions which in the forebody and the afterbody have a marked wedge-shape and shove broken ice sideways. Transport of broken ice sideways and astern can be augmented by bow propellers and wing propellers.

This naval platform (1) of the type including at least one hull (2) equipped with steerable thrusters (3, 4, 5, 6) distributed on the latter and means (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for controlling the orientation and the actuation of the latter, is characterized in that the control means comprise means (12) for illustrating at least one portion of the surface of the water around the naval platform (13) in proximity to the latter, associated with the means (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) for controlling at least one portion of the steerable thrusters (3, 4, 5, 6) for generating and directing a waterflow towards this portion of the surface.

This naval platform (1) of the type including at least one hull (2) equipped with steerable thrusters (3, 4, 5, 6) distributed on the latter and means (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for controlling the orientation and the actuation of the latter, is characterized in that the control means comprise means (12) for illustrating at least one portion of the surface of the water around the naval platform (13) in proximity to the latter, associated with the means (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) for controlling at least one portion of the steerable thrusters (3, 4, 5, 6) for generating and directing a waterflow towards this portion of the surface.

A wide beam, multi-hull icebreaker and method of operation thereof for opening a wide track through which large commercial vessels may traverse is disclosed. The icebreaker includes a plurality of hulls spaced apart and arranged generally in parallel to one another, with each of the hulls including a bow thereon configured to break through a sheet of ice through which the icebreaker traverses. The spaced apart hulls define at least one channel therebetween into which ice broken by the hulls is routed, and the hulls are spaced apart a distance such that a beam of the icebreaker is as wide as a beam of a commercial vessel it is servicing. A conveyor system may be included on the icebreaker that removes broken ice from the channel(s) between the hulls and casts it to the side of the track to leave a less dense track of broken ice.

A wide beam, multi-hull icebreaker and method of operation thereof for opening a wide track through which large commercial vessels may traverse is disclosed. The icebreaker includes a plurality of hulls spaced apart and arranged generally in parallel to one another, with each of the hulls including a bow thereon configured to break through a sheet of ice through which the icebreaker traverses. The spaced apart hulls define at least one channel therebetween into which ice broken by the hulls is routed, and the hulls are spaced apart a distance such that a beam of the icebreaker is as wide as a beam of a commercial vessel it is servicing. A conveyor system may be included on the icebreaker that removes broken ice from the channel(s) between the hulls and casts it to the side of the track to leave a less dense track of broken ice.