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 arc 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 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 arc 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 control system for a suspension system of a multi-hulled vessel, the vessel including a chassis portion, at least two hulls moveable relative to the chassis portion. The suspension system of the vessel provides support of at least a portion of the chassis above the at least two hulls, and includes adjustable supports and at least one motor to enable adjustment of a support force and/or displacement of the adjustable supports. The control system includes a fender friction force input for receiving at least one signal indicative of a friction force on a fender portion between a fixed or floating object and the vessel chassis portion, and in response to the fender friction force input, the control system is to adjust the support force and/or displacement between the chassis portion and the at least two hulls to reduce or minimize the friction force on the fender portion.

A control system for a suspension system of a multi-hulled vessel, the vessel including a chassis portion, at least two hulls moveable relative to the chassis portion. The suspension system of the vessel provides support of at least a portion of the chassis above the at least two hulls, and includes adjustable supports and at least one motor to enable adjustment of a support force and/or displacement of the adjustable supports. The control system includes a fender friction force input for receiving at least one signal indicative of a friction force on a fender portion between a fixed or floating object and the vessel chassis portion, and in response to the fender friction force input, the control system is to adjust the support force and/or displacement between the chassis portion and the at least two hulls to reduce or minimize the friction force on the fender portion.

Hull with variable geometry for a vessel (11), comprising a completely immersed part (12), configured to provide part of the buoyancy thrust and integral with an emerged part (13) of the hull by means of one or more uprights (14), and one or more immersed wing surfaces (15) which, in a situation in which the vessel travels at a sufficiently high speed, are configured to provide the remaining part of the vertical thrust required to keep the vessel (11) above the surface of the water at a predetermined height; the hull comprises one or more supports (16a, 16b, 16c) connected to the wing surfaces (15) and associated with floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) which are mobile with respect to the completely immersed part (12); the floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) are fixed to the supports (16a, 16b, 16c) or mobile with respect to the supports (16a, 16b, 16c), therefore the floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) are substantially cooperating with the completely immersed part (12) and with the wing surfaces (15); the wing surfaces (15) are configured to move with respect to the completely immersed part (12) or to remain fixed with respect thereto and the floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) are configured to increase their immersion as the speed of the vessel decreases, and therefore provide the vertical thrust to maintain or adjust the distance of the vessel from the water in a manner that is optimal and functional for the use of the vessel, even at reduced speeds or when the vessel is stationary.

Hull with variable geometry for a vessel (11), comprising a completely immersed part (12), configured to provide part of the buoyancy thrust and integral with an emerged part (13) of the hull by means of one or more uprights (14), and one or more immersed wing surfaces (15) which, in a situation in which the vessel travels at a sufficiently high speed, are configured to provide the remaining part of the vertical thrust required to keep the vessel (11) above the surface of the water at a predetermined height; the hull comprises one or more supports (16a, 16b, 16c) connected to the wing surfaces (15) and associated with floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) which are mobile with respect to the completely immersed part (12); the floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) are fixed to the supports (16a, 16b, 16c) or mobile with respect to the supports (16a, 16b, 16c), therefore the floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) are substantially cooperating with the completely immersed part (12) and with the wing surfaces (15); the wing surfaces (15) are configured to move with respect to the completely immersed part (12) or to remain fixed with respect thereto and the floating elements (17a, 17b, 17c) are configured to increase their immersion as the speed of the vessel decreases, and therefore provide the vertical thrust to maintain or adjust the distance of the vessel from the water in a manner that is optimal and functional for the use of the vessel, even at reduced speeds or when the vessel is stationary.

A vessel is provided herein which comprises a primary hull and at least two hull members capable of being deployed from or retracted into tunnels or underneath overhangs in the primary hull. In various embodiments, the vessel comprises a means for controllably deploying and retracting the hull members. These members may further comprise a propulsion means capable of propelling the vessel. In other embodiments the vessel comprises a failsafe mode allowing the hull members to fully retract into the vessel during times of destress. In various embodiments, the vessel is a landing craft capable of loading and unloading cargo without the burden of an overhang cross beam.

A vessel is provided herein which comprises a primary hull and at least two hull members capable of being deployed from or retracted into tunnels or underneath overhangs in the primary hull. In various embodiments, the vessel comprises a means for controllably deploying and retracting the hull members. These members may further comprise a propulsion means capable of propelling the vessel. In other embodiments the vessel comprises a failsafe mode allowing the hull members to fully retract into the vessel during times of destress. In various embodiments, the vessel is a landing craft capable of loading and unloading cargo without the burden of an overhang cross beam.

A ground effect craft having a ground effect wing, a plurality of sponsons, and a control system is disclosed. The ground effect wing may include a fore ground effect wing and an aft ground effect wing. The ground effect wing may generate a stabilizing moment on at least one sponson to stabilize the ground effect craft. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to the body. The plurality of sponsons may be dynamically coupled to each other. The dynamic coupling may permit the sponsons to move relatively independent of the body and each other, thereby stabilizing the ground effect craft. The ground effect craft may include a stabilizing wing.

A suspension system for a multi-hulled vessel including: a chassis and at least one left hull and at least one right hull; a front left, a back left, a front right and a back right support arrangements with respective rams; a first adjustment accumulator having a fluid chamber and a gas chamber; and a first actuator to transfer or effectively transfer fluid between the fluid chamber of the first adjustment accumulator and at least one compression chamber of a respective ram of a first support arrangement comprising one or more of the front left, front right, back left or back right support arrangements. A static pressure in the gas chamber of the first adjustment accumulator being within 25% of a static operating pressure in the at least one compression chamber of the at least one ram of the first support arrangement.