A marine deck member with enhanced surface traction and the process for forming the same. 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, each of the cells having an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surfaces, and extending in the space between the layers or skins, 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 effected 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 effected by applying vacuum pressure on the outer surface of the first skin while in the compression mold.

A marine deck member and the process for forming the same. 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 hopper barge is disclosed. The hopper barge comprises a hopper compartment for carrying a plurality of containers, the hopper compartment comprising a hopper compartment deck. The hopper barge comprises an inner-bottom portion defined in part by the hopper compartment deck and a bottom portion of the hopper barge. A plurality of longitudinal bulkheads are arranged in parallel within the inner-bottom portion of the hopper barge. A plurality of transverse bulkheads are arranged in parallel within the inner-bottom portion of the hopper barge, the plurality of transverse bulkheads running perpendicular to the plurality of longitudinal bulkheads. A plurality of pedestal supports are affixed to the hopper compartment deck, wherein at least one of the plurality of longitudinal bulkheads intersects at least one of the plurality of transverse bulkheads at a position beneath at least one of the plurality of pedestal supports.

This disclosed embodiments of this invention relate to a semi-submersible vessel. The semi-submersible vessel includes a deck, at least four columns supporting the deck, a first pontoon, a second pontoon, a first brace and a second brace. Each column comprises an outer skin, an inner skin, and a number of reinforcing plates spaced apart from each other and connecting the inner skin to the outer skin, forming a double skin arrangement. The first pontoon is connectable to a first pair of columns and the second pontoon is connectable to a second pair of columns. The first brace is connectable to the first of each of the two pairs of columns and the second brace connects the second of each of the two pairs of columns.

A sealed and thermally insulating tank whose wall is fixed to a carrier wall. The tank wall includes a secondary thermal insulation barrier which is retained on the carrier wall and a secondary sealing barrier which is supported by the thermal insulation barrier. There is also a primary insulation barrier which is fixed to the secondary element of the tank by a fastener which is connected to the secondary insulation barrier.

A sealed and thermally insulating tank whose wall is fixed to a carrier wall. The tank wall includes a secondary thermal insulation barrier which is retained on the carrier wall and a secondary sealing barrier which is supported by the thermal insulation barrier. There is also a primary insulation barrier which is fixed to the secondary element of the tank by a fastener which is connected to the secondary insulation barrier.

A method for manufacturing a laminar construction panel comprising a first (1) and a second (2) metal plate and an acoustic insulation layer (3) interposed there between. The first and second metal plates are connected to each other by a number of locally welded joints distributed over the laminar construction panel and extended through an area of an acoustic isolation layer. The welded joints are formed by stud welding, one of the metal plates is provided with welding openings (4), and a welding pin (7) is pushed through the isolation layer against the other metal plate. The welded joints may be formed by spot welding, both metal plates are brought into electrical connection with the spot welding equipment, and the metal plates locally are pressed toward each other in such a way that mutual electrical contact is made.

A method for manufacturing a laminar construction panel comprising a first (1) and a second (2) metal plate and an acoustic insulation layer (3) interposed there between. The first and second metal plates are connected to each other by a number of locally welded joints distributed over the laminar construction panel and extended through an area of an acoustic isolation layer. The welded joints are formed by stud welding, one of the metal plates is provided with welding openings (4), and a welding pin (7) is pushed through the isolation layer against the other metal plate. The welded joints may be formed by spot welding, both metal plates are brought into electrical connection with the spot welding equipment, and the metal plates locally are pressed toward each other in such a way that mutual electrical contact is made.

A marine vessel hull includes an outer hull layer and an inner liner connected to the outer hull layer forming a cavity therebetween. A wireless identification device is contained within the cavity between the outer hull layer and the inner liner. The wireless identification device stores and wirelessly transmits at least one of a vessel identifier, manufacture information, and ownership information for the marine vessel.

A marine vessel hull includes an outer hull layer and an inner liner connected to the outer hull layer forming a cavity therebetween. A wireless identification device is contained within the cavity between the outer hull layer and the inner liner. The wireless identification device stores and wirelessly transmits at least one of a vessel identifier, manufacture information, and ownership information for the marine vessel.