An integrated thruster and ballast system in accordance with some examples herein may include a conduit disposed within a hull of the boat. The conduit includes a first opening in fluid communication with a body of water, a second opening in selective fluid communication with the body of water, and an outlet disposed within the boat. The integrated thruster and ballast system includes a ballast tank in selective fluid communication with the conduit via the outlet, a thruster disposed within the conduit and configured to move water through the conduit, a first valve disposed in the conduit and configured to selectively divide or establish the fluid communication between the conduit and the ballast tank; and a second valve disposed in the conduit and configured to selectively divide or establish the fluid communication between the second opening and the body of water.

An integrated thruster and ballast system in accordance with some examples herein may include a conduit disposed within a hull of the boat. The conduit includes a first opening in fluid communication with a body of water, a second opening in selective fluid communication with the body of water, and an outlet disposed within the boat. The integrated thruster and ballast system includes a ballast tank in selective fluid communication with the conduit via the outlet, a thruster disposed within the conduit and configured to move water through the conduit, a first valve disposed in the conduit and configured to selectively divide or establish the fluid communication between the conduit and the ballast tank; and a second valve disposed in the conduit and configured to selectively divide or establish the fluid communication between the second opening and the body of water.

A survival craft for maritime evacuation of passengers and crew members from a vessel or an offshore facility is disclosed. The survival craft has a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells, the hull has a length, a width and a centerline, a bow and a stern. The survival craft further comprises a first pair of engine-powered propulsion means arranged at the stern on opposite sides of the centerline, and a second pair of engine-powered propulsion means arranged at the bow on opposite sides of the centerline, each engine-powered propulsion means has a propeller or a water jet, wherein a horizontal angle of each propeller or water jet of each engine-powered propulsion means can be independently set in relation to the centerline.

A survival craft for maritime evacuation of passengers and crew members from a vessel or an offshore facility is disclosed. The survival craft has a hull, predominantly made of non-rigid inflatable tubes and one or more shells, the hull has a length, a width and a centerline, a bow and a stern. The survival craft further comprises a first pair of engine-powered propulsion means arranged at the stern on opposite sides of the centerline, and a second pair of engine-powered propulsion means arranged at the bow on opposite sides of the centerline, each engine-powered propulsion means has a propeller or a water jet, wherein a horizontal angle of each propeller or water jet of each engine-powered propulsion means can be independently set in relation to the centerline.

A wearable water shoe apparatus for walking, standing and jet siding on water, includes in each of a first water shoe and a second water shoe (i) a sleeve to receive a leg of a user and (ii) a bottom section, The sleeve has a platform for standing thereon. Each pair of a plurality of pairs of jet motors is configured to eject a jet stream of water. A stabilization unit, including a tilt sensor and a plurality of gyroscopes, is configured to detect a stabilization state of at least one of the first water shoe and second water shoe. A processing unit is configured to receive output from the stabilization unit, determine a direction of movement indicated by the user and direct at least one of the pairs of motors to eject a water stream out of at least one of the water shoes based on the indicated direction.

A wearable water shoe apparatus for walking, standing and jet siding on water, includes in each of a first water shoe and a second water shoe (i) a sleeve to receive a leg of a user and (ii) a bottom section, The sleeve has a platform for standing thereon. Each pair of a plurality of pairs of jet motors is configured to eject a jet stream of water. A stabilization unit, including a tilt sensor and a plurality of gyroscopes, is configured to detect a stabilization state of at least one of the first water shoe and second water shoe. A processing unit is configured to receive output from the stabilization unit, determine a direction of movement indicated by the user and direct at least one of the pairs of motors to eject a water stream out of at least one of the water shoes based on the indicated direction.

The invention is a jet propulsor using gas or liquid of the environment as an operating medium (OM). The propulsor comprises eight nozzles arranged centrally symmetrically and a channel system (CS). The CS comprises eight active channels (AC) with pressure units therein to control a flow head of the OM, four intermediate channels (IC) and a central channel (CC). Each of the AC is connected by one end to one of the nozzles. All AC are pairwise connected to each other by other ends, forming four connecting nodes of the AC (ACCN). Connected to each of the ACCN by one end is one of the IC pairwise interconnected by other ends and forming two connecting nodes of the IC (ICCN). The CC is connected to the ICCN. The technical result is the reduction of unproductive energy loss in the flows of the OM in the CS and increasing its efficacy.

The invention is a jet propulsor using gas or liquid of the environment as an operating medium (OM). The propulsor comprises eight nozzles arranged centrally symmetrically and a channel system (CS). The CS comprises eight active channels (AC) with pressure units therein to control a flow head of the OM, four intermediate channels (IC) and a central channel (CC). Each of the AC is connected by one end to one of the nozzles. All AC are pairwise connected to each other by other ends, forming four connecting nodes of the AC (ACCN). Connected to each of the ACCN by one end is one of the IC pairwise interconnected by other ends and forming two connecting nodes of the IC (ICCN). The CC is connected to the ICCN. The technical result is the reduction of unproductive energy loss in the flows of the OM in the CS and increasing its efficacy.

A method for inverting a rotation of an impeller driven by a motor of a watercraft is disclosed. In response to sensing that the motor is stopped, a direct linkage is disconnected between the motor and the impeller and a reverse connection is established between the motor and the impeller. The motor is started after sensing that the reverse connection is established. A watercraft propulsion system having an electronic control unit configured to perform the method and a watercraft including the watercraft propulsion system are also disclosed. Reverse operation of the impeller is useful in removing debris from the jet propulsion system.

A method for inverting a rotation of an impeller driven by a motor of a watercraft is disclosed. In response to sensing that the motor is stopped, a direct linkage is disconnected between the motor and the impeller and a reverse connection is established between the motor and the impeller. The motor is started after sensing that the reverse connection is established. A watercraft propulsion system having an electronic control unit configured to perform the method and a watercraft including the watercraft propulsion system are also disclosed. Reverse operation of the impeller is useful in removing debris from the jet propulsion system.