Patent classifications
B63C1/02
FLOATING DRIVE-ON PONTOON PORT
One example provides a floating drive-on pontoon port including a plurality of floating sections pivotally coupled together in series with one another to form an articulating port track base and an articulating starboard track base extending longitudinally in parallel with one another, the port and starboard track bases each having a lower surface to be disposed in water and an opposing upper surface to face away from the water. A port transport track extends longitudinally across the upper surface of the port track base, and a starboard transport track extends longitudinally across the upper surface of the starboard track base and in parallel with the port transport track, the port and starboard transport tracks each comprising a series of spaced apart rollers configured to respectively receive, transport, and support a port pontoon and a starboard pontoon of a pontoon during loading, unloading, and storage of the pontoon boat on the pontoon port. A lateral position of the port and starboard transport tracks relative to one another is adjustable to adjust a lateral distance between the port and starboard transport tracks to accommodate pontoon boats of different widths.
BUOYANCY TANK WITH INTEGRATED CYLINDRICAL STRUCTURES
A buoyancy tank for a portable floatation apparatus which allows for the elevation of a watercraft above a water-line and which allows for the removal of the watercraft from a body of water. The buoyancy tank has at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which supports the floatation apparatus in transport and storage. The integrated cylindrical structures provide sufficient support to allow the removal of the floatation apparatus by use of a boat lift and further provide sufficient support to allow a watercraft to be stacked on top of the floating apparatus while the floating apparatus is stacked on top of the floating apparatus for the purposes of storage. A plurality of said buoyancy tanks may be connected to the portable floatation apparatus by use of connecting means. The portable floatation apparatus should have a pumping device which pumps a sufficient volume of air into a plurality of the buoyancy tank which is effective to selectively and conveniently elevate a watercraft above a water line.
Unmanned marine vehicle retrieval apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus for retrieving an unmanned marine vehicle from water are disclosed. The unmanned marine vehicle includes a float and a glider connected by a tether. The apparatus includes a buoyant frame having spaced frame arms defining a receiving bay sized to receive the float, and the buoyant frame includes a front end defining an opening of the receiving bay. A glider recovery assembly is coupled to the buoyant frame and includes a first tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, and a second tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, wherein the first tether guide and the second tether guide are cooperatively shaped to define a tether capture gap having a tether inlet adjacent the front end of the buoyant frame and a tether stop positioned rearward of the tether inlet.
Unmanned marine vehicle retrieval apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus for retrieving an unmanned marine vehicle from water are disclosed. The unmanned marine vehicle includes a float and a glider connected by a tether. The apparatus includes a buoyant frame having spaced frame arms defining a receiving bay sized to receive the float, and the buoyant frame includes a front end defining an opening of the receiving bay. A glider recovery assembly is coupled to the buoyant frame and includes a first tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, and a second tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, wherein the first tether guide and the second tether guide are cooperatively shaped to define a tether capture gap having a tether inlet adjacent the front end of the buoyant frame and a tether stop positioned rearward of the tether inlet.
BUOYANCY TANK WITH INTEGRATED CYLINDRICAL STRUCTURES
A buoyancy tank for a portable floatation apparatus which allows for the elevation of a watercraft above a water-line and which allows for the removal of the watercraft from a body of water. The buoyancy tank has at least one and/or a plurality of integrated cylindrical structures which supports the floatation apparatus in transport and storage. The integrated cylindrical structures provide sufficient support to allow the removal of the floatation apparatus by use of a boat lift and further provide sufficient support to allow a watercraft to be stacked on top of the floating apparatus while the floating apparatus is stacked on top of the floating apparatus for the purposes of storage. A plurality of said buoyancy tanks may be connected to the portable floatation apparatus by use of connecting means. The portable floatation apparatus should have a pumping device which pumps a sufficient volume of air into a plurality of the buoyancy tank which is effective to selectively and conveniently elevate a watercraft above a water line.
SEA VESSEL DOCKING STATION
A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.
SEA VESSEL DOCKING STATION
A system and method in which a buoyant central docking station captures, lifts and couples one or more other sea vessels is disclosed, wherein a flexible, modularized production system is quickly realized on a cost effective basis. The capabilities of a number of older, less expensive, readily available vessels are combined to achieve an effective FPSO substitute that allows lower producing fields to be explored and produced in a profitable manner. The time horizon between initiation and consummation of field operations is reduced, and older vessels that might otherwise be scrapped or retired are again made useful and seaworthy in a safe and profitable exploration and production environment.
Floating dock construction
A floating dock is constructed from a plurality of dock units with each unit having an interior at least partially filled of empty and recycled beverage plastic bottles. Each unit also includes a non-skid upper surface and means to interconnect adjacent units together.
Floating dock construction
A floating dock is constructed from a plurality of dock units with each unit having an interior at least partially filled of empty and recycled beverage plastic bottles. Each unit also includes a non-skid upper surface and means to interconnect adjacent units together.
Inflatable Watercraft Barrier
Disclosed herein is an inflatable watercraft barrier in one example having an inflatable perimeter tube. Also disclosed is a diaphragm sealed to the perimeter tube to form the watercraft barrier between a watercraft and the water in which the watercraft barrier and watercraft float. In one example, a portion of the perimeter tube forms a gate portion which is at least partially selectively deflated so as to be denser than water, and therefore rotates about a gate pivot such that the watercraft may enter the watercraft barrier through the gate portion. Also disclosed is a water pump in fluid communication with the watercraft barrier so as to evacuate water from between the watercraft barrier and the watercraft.