A connecting base for connecting an accessory to a vehicle includes: an attachment portion configured to be connected to the vehicle; and at least one post-receiving portion connected to the attachment portion. Each of the at least one post-receiving portion defines an opening configured to receive a post connected to the accessory. The opening is defined in an upper surface of the connecting base. Each of the at least one post-receiving portion includes: an inner peripheral surface defining the opening, the inner peripheral surface being shaped to be at least partially mated with an outer peripheral surface of the post; and a rib protruding from the inner peripheral surface, the rib being configured to engage a groove defined by the outer peripheral surface of the post. An accessory connector and an accessory system including the connecting base and the accessory connector are also contemplated.

A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point.

A twistlock for securing a structure to a corner fitting having an ISO aperture. The twistlock includes a main body, a first clamping cam toggle pivotally mounted within the main body and a second clamping cam toggle pivotally mounted within the main body. The twistlock also includes a T-clamp screw having a body portion, a threaded end portion and a clamping portion, where the body portion extends through an opening in the main body and between the first and second cam toggles so that the clamping portion is positioned adjacent to an outside of a bottom wall of the main body. The T-clamp screw is rotatable to engage an underside of a wall in the corner fitting and the first and second cam toggles are pivotable to engage edges of the aperture in the fitting.

An inflatable drop stitch panel and method of use is provided with a plurality of rigid embedded fasteners inserted in apertures in the panel. In the method of use for the inflatable panel, the uninflated panel with embedded fasteners is placed on the deck of a surface ship and secured to deck fittings by tensioned lines. The panel is then inflated to operational pressure and equipment is secured to the panel using the embedded fasteners. The inflatable panel is a temporary structure and requires no permanent changes to the deck surface, such as drilling holes and welding fasteners.

An apparatus for attaching a lashing to a container in a stack includes a lashing having a loop at one end and attached to a tensioner at the other end. The apparatus also includes an elongated body to which the loop is attached by winding. The elongated body has at each of its ends a mechanism capable of interfacing with an interlocking system of a shipping container. In use, the loop of the lashing is located in front of the shipping container and does not interfere with the stack. Two or more apparatus can be used to pre-load a layer of containers from both the starboard and the port sides.

In order to stabilize the shipping containers that are stored on a cargo ship between a first column of shipping containers stacked at the starboard side of the cargo ship and a second column of shipping containers stacked at the port side of the cargo ship, supports are coupled to the tops of the first and second columns and foundations are coupled to the lashing bridge. Lashing are installed diagonally between the supports and the foundations using motorized pull-in winches. Tension is applied to the lashings spanning between the supports and the foundations using tensioning winches attached to the foundations.

In order to stabilize the shipping containers that are stored on a cargo ship between a first column of shipping containers stacked at the starboard side of the cargo ship and a second column of shipping containers stacked at the port side of the cargo ship, supports are coupled to the tops of the first and second columns and foundations are coupled to the lashing bridge. Lashing are installed diagonally between the supports and the foundations using motorized pull-in winches. Tension is applied to the lashings spanning between the supports and the foundations using tensioning winches attached to the foundations.

In order to stabilize the shipping containers that are stored on a cargo ship between a first column of shipping containers stacked at the starboard side of the cargo ship and a second column of shipping containers stacked at the port side of the cargo ship, supports are coupled to the tops of the first and second columns and foundations are coupled to the lashing bridge. Lashing are installed diagonally between the supports and the foundations using motorized pull-in winches. Tension is applied to the lashings spanning between the supports and the foundations using tensioning winches attached to the foundations.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a low-profile cargo vessel includes a cargo bed that is open to the stern, an engine compartment forward of the cargo bed, a fairing, and buoyancy volume. The cargo bed includes a cargo bed floor and first and second cargo bed walls on opposite sides of cargo bed floor. The cargo bed, interior portions of the first and second cargo bed walls, and interior portions of cargo bed floor are free-flooding to sea water. The fairing is configured to provide a hydrodynamic bow structure ahead of the engine compartment. The buoyancy volume is inside upper portions of the first and second cargo bed walls spaced apart from cargo bed floor so that the low-profile cargo vessel floats with a waterline above the cargo bed floor and more than half way up the first and second cargo bed walls.

A personal watercraft is provided that comprises a hull, a deck, a handlebar, a steering column and a frame. The deck is provided to the hull. The handlebar has a steering shaft. The steering column rotatably supports the steering shaft. The frame is disposed between the hull and the deck and supports the steering column.