A watercraft includes at least one floating member, a central frame supported thereon, first and second foot platforms, and first and second handlebars. The first and second handlebars define elongated configurations and include grasping end portions, intermediate portions pivotably coupled to the central frame, and base end portions pivotably coupled to first end portions of the respective first and second foot platforms. A propulsion system includes an axle assembly, first and second rotating arms, and first and second oars. The rotating arms are fixed relative to one another, pivotably coupled about the axle assembly at first ends, and pivotably coupled to second end portions of the foot platforms at second ends. The oars are engaged with and extend from the foot platforms. The propulsion system cycles the oars approximately 180 degrees out of phase to propel the watercraft while maintaining substantially perpendicular orientation of the oars.

A pontoon boat includes port and starboard pontoons and cross members connecting the pontoons. A shock absorber may be installed at each point of connection of the pontoons to the cross members. A cross member may be embodied as a double-webbed beam having first and second parallel flanges and first and second webs disposed between and connected to the flanges. Each pontoon may include a two-stage lifting strake having a first surface and a second surface inclined from the first surface.

A marine deck member and the process for forming the same are provided. The marine deck member comprises a sandwich-type composite panel made by a compression molding process. In such a process, the panel is made by subjecting a heated stack of layers of material to cold pressing in a mold. The cellular core has a 2-D array of cells, with end faces open to the respective layers or skins. The surface traction of this type of composite panel can be enhanced for marine deck applications by controlled debossing, or embossing, of the first skin while it cools in the compression mold. The debossing effect can be affected by applying pressurized gas, e.g., pressurized air, onto the outer surface of the first skin while in the compression mold. The embossing can be affected by applying vacuum pressure on the outer surface of the first skin while in the compression mold.

A stowable propulsion system for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft has a proximal end and a distal end with a length axis defined therebetween, where the shaft is pivotably coupled to the base and pivotable about a transverse axis between a stowed position and a deployed position, and where the distal end is closer to the marine vessel when in the stowed position than in the deployed position. A gearset is engaged between the shaft and the base, where the gearset rotates the shaft about the length axis when the shaft is pivoted between the stowed position and the deployed position. A propulsion device is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The propulsion device is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when the shaft is in the deployed position.

Disclosed herein is a buoyant structure for offshore deployment. The buoyant structure comprises a first deck having a first channel through the first deck; a second deck having a second channel through the second deck, wherein the first deck and second deck are coupled to each other and arranged spaced apart from each other; and a plurality of floatable substructures coupled to and around at least one of the first deck and the second deck, the plurality of floatable substructures arranged spaced apart from one another, wherein the first channel and the second channel are aligned to receive at least a portion of a tower of a wind turbine.

The present invention provides a hull-conversion device and method for modifying the underside of a watercraft, more specifically a multihull watercraft. The hull-conversion device comprising a water diverting surface, a kinematic assemblage, and a frame. The hull-conversion device may be operable to adjust the watercraft's characteristics in displacement mode and planing mode. The hull-conversion device may function to provide a more stable, controllable, and efficient platform for operating a multihull watercraft, and provide a suitable wake for towable water sports.

A thruster system for a marine vessel includes an electric motor having an output shaft. The thruster system also includes a housing having a first housing opening and a second housing opening, the first housing opening defining a water intake, the second housing opening defining a water discharge. The thruster system further includes a rotatable member operatively coupled to, and driven by, the output shaft of the electric motor, wherein rotation of the rotatable member results in water brought into the housing through the first housing opening and expelled through the second housing opening to generate a thrust force in a direction that is greater than 45 degrees relative to a propeller direction of the marine vessel.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

A floating metal platform for supporting an offshore installation includes three elongated elements. Each elongated element includes a first elongated member; a second elongated member parallel to the first elongated member; and at least a first buoyancy element connected to the first elongated member and the second elongated member. Each elongated element has a first end and an opposite second end. One of the first end or the second end of each of the elongated elements is connected to one of the first end or the second end of at least one of the other elongated elements. A floating wind turbine includes the floating metal platform; a tower connected to the platform; and a horizontal axis wind turbine connected to the tower.

A trash skimmer boat including a hull, a connection member, a transmission, a grille assembly, and a measuring member. The hull includes two pontoons and a gap between the two pontoons, and the two pontoons are symmetrical with respect to the gap. Each pontoon includes a deck, a bottom plate, a first side plate, a second side plate, a first sealing plate, a second sealing plate, and a third sealing plate. The connection member includes two longitudinal bars and two transverse bars connecting to one another to form an octothorpe-shaped frame. The transmission comprising a motor, a drive wheel, a driven wheel, a connection plate, and a conveyor belt. The grille assembly including a plurality of flat grilles and a curved grille. The measuring member including a T-shaped frame and a probe. The gap is disposed between two second side plates.