A marine vessel (100) comprising: propulsion means (118, 134); a hull section (102); a body section (104) connected to said hull section via at least one stanchion (106, 108, 110, 112); and the body section and the hull section being movable relative to each other via said at least one stanchion.

An electric current supply system (20) is designed to be at least partially submerged in an electrically conductive liquid during operation thereof, and comprises at least one electrically conductive component (21, 22, 23, 24) enveloped in liquid-tight material (40). The component (21, 22, 23, 24) comprises sacrificial material that is capable of reacting electrochemically with the liquid. Further, the component (21, 22, 23, 24) comprises at least one gas trap portion (50) at which the sacrificial material occupies a space in the liquid-tight material (40) that is thereby defined with a gas trapping shape. If, in case of damage to the system (20) in an actual submerged state thereof, the component (21, 22, 23, 24) gets exposed to the liquid, it is achieved that an electrochemical reaction occurring at the exposed area of the component (21, 22, 23, 24) and an outflow of electric current to the liquid are stopped.

A viscous-drag-reducing cladding for a ship's hull whereby the wetted area of the hull is reduced by interspersing air between the hull surface and the water. A substantial portion of the submerged area of the ship's hull comprises densely packed air pockets. The dimension of the air pocket is less than twice the capillary length of water. Each air pocket is supplied with pressurised gas by means of a restrictor. The pressurised air is supplied to each air pocket by means of a network of corrugated channels.

Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided for the reduction of hydrodynamic frictional drag. These systems, methods and apparatuses can include a vessel surface having an external layer and a plurality of dimples, wherein the external layer comprises a hydrophilic material, and wherein each of the dimples includes an inner surface having a superhydrophobic coating. The dimples can be configured to maintain an air-water interface as one or more fluids flow over the vessel surface. In some embodiments, a pressure reservoir can be coupled with the dimples, and can include an acoustic speaker to vibrate the air-water interface.

Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided for the reduction of hydrodynamic frictional drag. These systems, methods and apparatuses can include a vessel surface having an external layer and a plurality of dimples, wherein the external layer comprises a hydrophilic material, and wherein each of the dimples includes an inner surface having a superhydrophobic coating. The dimples can be configured to maintain an air-water interface as one or more fluids flow over the vessel surface. In some embodiments, a pressure reservoir can be coupled with the dimples, and can include an acoustic speaker to vibrate the air-water interface.

Disclosed is a system for providing an air lubricating layer between the hull of a vessel and the water flowing under the hull as the vessel is moving through the water, including an air cavity and a wave deflector having a planar bottom surface which faces the interface plane and extends parallel thereto and is arranged in an air cavity of the air lubrication system at a distance of 2-15 cm from the interface plane, wherein the bottom surface has a peripheral edge that is spaced apart from the sidewalls by a gap having a width of 0.5-15 cm, wherein, when viewed in projection onto a plane wherein the planar bottom surface extends, at least 85% of the area of the opening is covered by the wave deflector and/or the planar bottom surface thereof, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%.

Disclosed is a system for providing an air lubricating layer between the hull of a vessel and the water flowing under the hull as the vessel is moving through the water, including an air cavity and a wave deflector having a planar bottom surface which faces the interface plane and extends parallel thereto and is arranged in an air cavity of the air lubrication system at a distance of 2-15 cm from the interface plane, wherein the bottom surface has a peripheral edge that is spaced apart from the sidewalls by a gap having a width of 0.5-15 cm, wherein, when viewed in projection onto a plane wherein the planar bottom surface extends, at least 85% of the area of the opening is covered by the wave deflector and/or the planar bottom surface thereof, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%.

A marine thru-hull fitting drainage device for directing fluid away from a thru-hull fitting installed through a bore in a hull of a vessel includes: an elongate thru-hull body forming a channel and having a flange formed on an end thereof; a channel body formed on a face of the flange and extending away from the hull of the vessel, the channel body forming a drainage channel for directing water from the channel of the thru-hull body away from the hull of the vessel; a groove formed in the channel body; and a lip protruding from a bottom edge of the channel body.

The novel bladder systems and tie down systems set forth herein provide systems and apparatuses that mitigate or prevent damage, such as tipping over/capsizing, of a watercraft stored on shore or an aircraft secured to a ground surface during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events. Further, novel apparatuses and methods for storing a watercraft using the bladders as cushioning or holding devices when installed within a cavity, whether the cavity is created by digging a hole or building an enclosing berm, provides additional stability and security for the watercraft during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events.

The novel bladder systems and tie down systems set forth herein provide systems and apparatuses that mitigate or prevent damage, such as tipping over/capsizing, of a watercraft stored on shore or an aircraft secured to a ground surface during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events. Further, novel apparatuses and methods for storing a watercraft using the bladders as cushioning or holding devices when installed within a cavity, whether the cavity is created by digging a hole or building an enclosing berm, provides additional stability and security for the watercraft during adverse wind, rising water, or storm events.