An assembly for a retractable thruster suitable for attachment to the hull of a maritime vessel. The assembly comprises a thruster accommodating structure from which the thruster may be deployed into and retracted from the water. The thruster accommodating structure is provided with a drive assembly that suspends the thruster and further comprises a thruster deploying and retracting device, a thruster rotating device, a motor assembly, and a switching device. The same drive assembly is used for deploying, retracting, and rotating the thruster.

An assembly for a retractable thruster suitable for attachment to the hull of a maritime vessel. The assembly comprises a thruster accommodating structure from which the thruster may be deployed into and retracted from the water. The thruster accommodating structure is provided with a drive assembly that suspends the thruster and further comprises a thruster deploying and retracting device, a thruster rotating device, a motor assembly, and a switching device. The same drive assembly is used for deploying, retracting, and rotating the thruster.

A propulsion unit is disclosed with a hollow strut having an upper portion with an upper end portion passing through a passage (P1) formed between a first outer bottom and a second inner bottom in a vessel. The upper end portion is rotatably supported with a slewing bearing and sealed with a slewing seal towards the vessel. A cooling arrangement includes a cooling air duct system, at least one fan and at least one cooling unit. The slewing seal can include an upper slewing seal and a lower slewing seal at a vertical distance (H1) from each other with a space formed between the slewing seals. The upper end portion has openings (O1) into the space between the slewing seals. A first cooling air duct is directed to this space, whereby cooling air (L1) can be circulated through the first cooling air duct (400) into the space and through the openings (O1) in the upper end portion to the interior of the strut, or return air (L2) can be circulated from the strut in an opposite direction.

A propulsion unit is disclosed with a hollow strut having an upper portion with an upper end portion passing through a passage (P1) formed between a first outer bottom and a second inner bottom in a vessel. The upper end portion is rotatably supported with a slewing bearing and sealed with a slewing seal towards the vessel. A cooling arrangement includes a cooling air duct system, at least one fan and at least one cooling unit. The slewing seal can include an upper slewing seal and a lower slewing seal at a vertical distance (H1) from each other with a space formed between the slewing seals. The upper end portion has openings (O1) into the space between the slewing seals. A first cooling air duct is directed to this space, whereby cooling air (L1) can be circulated through the first cooling air duct (400) into the space and through the openings (O1) in the upper end portion to the interior of the strut, or return air (L2) can be circulated from the strut in an opposite direction.

A control system of a marine vessel includes a vessel control unit that controls the rotational position of at least one rotatable device on the marine vessel, and a head-mounted display in data communication with the vessel control unit. The head-mounted display has a sensor system that detects a facing direction and a display positioned in the operator's field of view that displays an indicator of the facing direction. The head-mounted display also includes an interface element that allows the operator to select the facing direction. The control system operates such that the vessel control unit adjusts the rotational position of the rotatable device based on the facing direction.

A control system of a marine vessel includes a vessel control unit that controls the rotational position of at least one rotatable device on the marine vessel, and a head-mounted display in data communication with the vessel control unit. The head-mounted display has a sensor system that detects a facing direction and a display positioned in the operator's field of view that displays an indicator of the facing direction. The head-mounted display also includes an interface element that allows the operator to select the facing direction. The control system operates such that the vessel control unit adjusts the rotational position of the rotatable device based on the facing direction.

An improved amphibious vehicle comprising: a drive train; a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a cooling system; a water propulsion system; and a hull which defines a passenger compartment, wherein the form/shape of the hull below the waterline is substantially defined by a plurality of buoyancy modules that are demountably mountable to the amphibious vehicle.

An improved amphibious vehicle comprising: a drive train; a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a cooling system; a water propulsion system; and a hull which defines a passenger compartment, wherein the form/shape of the hull below the waterline is substantially defined by a plurality of buoyancy modules that are demountably mountable to the amphibious vehicle.

A lifting spindle arrangement is disclosed for a retractable thruster unit of a marine vessel, the lifting spindle having a lower end and an upper end and being supported at its lower end to a lower support structure by a lower support assembly and at its upper end to an upper support structure by an upper support assembly. The lifting spindle is provided at its both ends with a locking member for such a connection to the support structures such that each end of the lifting spindle may freely move in an axial direction away from the opposite end of the lifting spindle.

A lifting spindle arrangement is disclosed for a retractable thruster unit of a marine vessel, the lifting spindle having a lower end and an upper end and being supported at its lower end to a lower support structure by a lower support assembly and at its upper end to an upper support structure by an upper support assembly. The lifting spindle is provided at its both ends with a locking member for such a connection to the support structures such that each end of the lifting spindle may freely move in an axial direction away from the opposite end of the lifting spindle.