A floating boat lift having flotation tanks positioned under sides of a frame of the boat lift. Water flow is regulated so that tanks fill from near the center of the boat lift. A preferred hingeable connection of the boat lift to a bulkhead, along with lateral stabilization, participates in maintaining a generally horizontal attitude for the boat lift. Water is accepted into or pumped from the flotation tanks, allowing the frame of the boat lift to fall or rise relative to the surface of the water. One or more catwalks along the sides of the boat lift and connected to the bulkhead may float, but at a level that is independent of the boat lift frame.

A floating boat lift having flotation tanks positioned under sides of a frame of the boat lift. Water flow is regulated so that tanks fill from near the center of the boat lift. A preferred hingeable connection of the boat lift to a bulkhead, along with lateral stabilization, participates in maintaining a generally horizontal attitude for the boat lift. Water is accepted into or pumped from the flotation tanks, allowing the frame of the boat lift to fall or rise relative to the surface of the water. One or more catwalks along the sides of the boat lift and connected to the bulkhead may float, but at a level that is independent of the boat lift frame.

A stabilizer that extends from the hull of a watercraft below the waterline when needed is disclosed. The stabilizer produces added drag on the watercraft's counteracting a tendency to change bearing. Stabilization chambers of the stabilizer hold semi contained water to produce an extended drag effect by adding lateral weight due to the water that is semi contained within the chamber during use. The restricted flow of water into and out of the stabilizer and the outer dimensions of the stabilizer provides lateral drag to mute any ambient drift.

The invention generally relates to devices for stabilizing floating structures and systems and methods utilizing such stabilization devices. Some embodiments of the stabilization device include a fabric material having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expanded configuration of the fabric material may form a column of the fabric material. The column of fabric material may define an internal volume. The front end of the column of fabric material may be closed, and the back end of the column of fabric material may define an opening for receiving water for filling the internal volume. When filled with water, the stabilization device may improve roll stabilization of a floating structure. The floating structure may be a flotation device of an emergency flotation system, boat, or inflatable raft, for example. The emergency flotation system may be used with aircraft, (e.g., helicopters) to provide stabilization when the aircraft is ditched in water.

The invention generally relates to devices for stabilizing floating structures and systems and methods utilizing such stabilization devices. Some embodiments of the stabilization device include a fabric material having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expanded configuration of the fabric material may form a column of the fabric material. The column of fabric material may define an internal volume. The front end of the column of fabric material may be closed, and the back end of the column of fabric material may define an opening for receiving water for filling the internal volume. When filled with water, the stabilization device may improve roll stabilization of a floating structure. The floating structure may be a flotation device of an emergency flotation system, boat, or inflatable raft, for example. The emergency flotation system may be used with aircraft, (e.g., helicopters) to provide stabilization when the aircraft is ditched in water.

A mobile, wave motion-isolated, waterborne device having a platform with a plurality of support members extending beneath the platform configured to receive an articulated joint. The device further includes a plurality of corresponding clusters of spar buoys, wherein each spar buoy has an articulated joint at a first end of the spar buoy and a ballast operably configured at the second end. The articulated joint of each spar buoy within the cluster corresponds to a swivel footing configured to receive an articulated joint. The swivel footing itself includes an articulating joint. Each articulated joint of the swivel footing corresponds to one of the support members of the platform. The cluster of spar buoys can optionally move between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. An optional movable ballast may be used in place of a stationary ballast. The invention also includes optional thrust/propulsion, steering, and damping features.

A canopy system upon a floating structure includes a cover detachably coupled to a body of the floating structure; and a connector instantly detachable coupling the body with the cover having at least one force distribution assembly, wherein the at least one force distribution assembly moves substantially freely in respective to a connection point on the body and independent from a floating motion of the body of the floating structure so that a wind force received by the cover is reduced to be transferred to the body.

A canopy system upon a floating structure includes a cover detachably coupled to a body of the floating structure; and a connector instantly detachable coupling the body with the cover having at least one force distribution assembly, wherein the at least one force distribution assembly moves substantially freely in respective to a connection point on the body and independent from a floating motion of the body of the floating structure so that a wind force received by the cover is reduced to be transferred to the body.

A marine vessel emergency airbag float device is provided. The device is designed to prevent the sinking of a boat or other vessel by deploying inflatable airbags in emergencies. The device comprises mounting brackets made from corrosion-resistant materials which are fastened to the vessel's sidewalls and symmetrically aligned for balanced flotation. The brackets feature attachment points for support members that hold airbags in an uninflated state. The airbags connect to compressed air tanks via tubing with one-way valves. Activation of the airbags are achieved either manually through user-operated controls or automatically via sensors that detect conditions such as capsizing, submersion, or flooding. As a result, the device facilitates rapid airbag inflation to stabilize the vessel, providing essential time for rescue or repairs.

A marine vessel emergency airbag float device is provided. The device is designed to prevent the sinking of a boat or other vessel by deploying inflatable airbags in emergencies. The device comprises mounting brackets made from corrosion-resistant materials which are fastened to the vessel's sidewalls and symmetrically aligned for balanced flotation. The brackets feature attachment points for support members that hold airbags in an uninflated state. The airbags connect to compressed air tanks via tubing with one-way valves. Activation of the airbags are achieved either manually through user-operated controls or automatically via sensors that detect conditions such as capsizing, submersion, or flooding. As a result, the device facilitates rapid airbag inflation to stabilize the vessel, providing essential time for rescue or repairs.