A propulsion device for marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, the base having sides that extend downwardly from the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor comprises a propeller having a hub with blades extending away therefrom. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position by rotating the propeller. An alignment device aligns the blades of the propeller between the sides of the base when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

A device for supporting a propulsor on a marine vessel. The device includes a base that is fixable to the marine vessel and a pivot arm for coupling the propulsor to the base. An actuator is configured to pivot the pivot arm relative to the base into and between a retracted position and a deployed position. A fastener is engageable to couple the actuator to the pivot arm, where when the fastener is engaged the pivot arm is prevented from pivoting other than by the actuator, and where applying a predetermined force on the pivot arm disengages the fastener to allow the pivot arm to pivot other than by the actuator.

A propulsion device for a marine vessel. The propulsion device includes a base configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position. A lock device has a rigid member and is selectively engageable such that the rigid member prevents the propulsor from pivoting away from the stowed position.

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.

A propulsion device for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft includes an upper segment and a lower segment each extending along a length axis, wherein the upper segment is coupled to the base. A propulsor is coupled to the lower segment, where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water. A shock absorber includes a resilient member that resiliently couples the upper segment and the lower segment together, where the resilient member dampens impact forces received at the lower segment and reduces transfer of the impact forces to the upper segment.

A novel rotatable hull that generally includes a hull that is capable of rotating around an attachment point where it is connected to a vessel. In preferred embodiments, an outdoor motor mounted to the rotatable hull will turn to vector thrust and apply a moment to rotate the hull around a nominally vertical axis where the hull connects to the vessel. The invention also is directed to a vessel, which employs a plurality of rotatable hulls. A plurality of rotatable hulls can be arranged into a tripod, square or other stable geometric configuration and connected by a structure to form a vessel that can move in any direction along the plane of the surface of the water with or without changing the yaw axis orientation of the connecting structure. This may be useful in applications such as catching objects that are descending from the sky.

A novel rotatable hull that generally includes a hull that is capable of rotating around an attachment point where it is connected to a vessel. In preferred embodiments, an outdoor motor mounted to the rotatable hull will turn to vector thrust and apply a moment to rotate the hull around a nominally vertical axis where the hull connects to the vessel. The invention also is directed to a vessel, which employs a plurality of rotatable hulls. A plurality of rotatable hulls can be arranged into a tripod, square or other stable geometric configuration and connected by a structure to form a vessel that can move in any direction along the plane of the surface of the water with or without changing the yaw axis orientation of the connecting structure. This may be useful in applications such as catching objects that are descending from the sky.

A boat may have a deck and a plurality of pontoons or hulls supporting the deck of the boat. The boat may include a starboard side pontoon, a port side pontoon, and possibly a middle pontoon. A positioning assembly may be provided with one or more of the foregoing pontoons. Each of the positioning assemblies may comprise a link assembly coupling the deck to the starboard side toon, wherein the link assembly is configured to permit pivoting of the starboard side toon relative to the deck from a retracted position, where the starboard side toon is proximate to an underside of the deck, to an extended position, where the starboard side toon is moved further from the underside, and an actuator provided to position the starboard side toon between the retracted position and the extended position. The boat may further include a leveling control system having a controller and a level sensor configured to detect an attitude of the deck, the controller in communication with the actuators and cause actuation of either or both of the actuators to extend or retract the port side toon and/or the starboard side toon based on data received from the level sensor indicative of the deck attitude.

A mobile farm for the growth of hydrobiological species, capable of offshore operation, which maintains a shoal-like behaviour of the fish confined therein, and being of robust design and construction. The use of related materials enables the structure to remain afloat, anchored, moored to a buoy or in movement, either self-propelled, towed or pushed. Formed by a central structure similar to a ship's hull, its hydrodynamic bow enables it to cut through the waves with minimum resistance, reinforced by a perimetral support; these combine with the use of heavyweight metallic meshes, thus constituting a floating means suited for offshore operation, with the ability to alter its draught and hydrodynamic presentation, consequently changing the containment volume of the species by means of a system for the individual or collective hoisting of the containment meshes.

An offshore semi-submersible platform includes: at least three stabilizing columns; a truss structure securing the at least three stabilizing columns to one another; for at least one of the stabilizing columns, a substantially horizontal perforated plate and a fastening arranged for fastening the substantially horizontal perforated plate to the stabilizing column at least in a working position below a bottom surface of the stabilizing column, creating a wave load attenuation chamber being defined between the substantially horizontal perforated plate in the working position and the bottom surface of the stabilizing column.