A system and method by which energy from ocean waves is converted into hydrogen, and that hydrogen is used to manifest electrical and mechanical energies by an energy consuming device. A portion of the generated electrical power is communicated to water electrolyzers which produce oxygen and hydrogen from water as gases. At least a portion of the generated hydrogen gas is transferred to a transportation ship via a hose-carrying, remotely operated (or otherwise unmanned) vehicle, and subsequently transferred to an energy-consuming module or infrastructure, where a portion of the hydrogen is consumed in order to manifest a generation of electrical energy, a mechanical motion, and/or a chemical reaction.

A system and method by which energy from ocean waves is converted into hydrogen, and that hydrogen is used to manifest electrical and mechanical energies by an energy consuming device. A portion of the generated electrical power is communicated to water electrolyzers which produce oxygen and hydrogen from water as gases. At least a portion of the generated hydrogen gas is transferred to a transportation ship via a hose-carrying, remotely operated (or otherwise unmanned) vehicle, and subsequently transferred to an energy-consuming module or infrastructur, where a portion of the hydrogen is consumed in order to manifest a generation of electrical energy, a mechanical motion, and/or a chemical reaction.

This invention provides a vessel system and methodology that can be used to promote growth of phytoplankton in the oceans. Unmanned self-controlled wave-powered vessels are equipped with storage units for dispensing a fertilizer, and with sensors to monitor ocean conditions and effects. Fleets of vessels move autonomously by on-board processing of GPS and directional information, piloting a path that is coordinated by a central processing unit. The vessels travel through a defined target area, creating a detailed survey of chemical and biological characteristics that affect grown. The data are processed in a computer model to identify precise locations and precise amounts of fertilizer that will produce the best results. Projected benefits of fertilizing plankton include sequestering CO.sub.2 from the atmosphere, and enhancing the marine food chain to improve the fish stock in and around the treated area.

An apparatus. The apparatus includes a body and a plurality of control surfaces attached to the body. A first control surface is configured to control an ascent and descent of the apparatus, responsive to ascent/descent control information. A second control surface is configured to control a roll of the apparatus responsive to roll control information, and a third control surface is configured to control a yaw of the apparatus responsive to yaw control information. The apparatus further includes a releasable first docking fixture attached to the body, the first docking fixture configured to engage a second docking fixture on a payload.

A cable termination including an integral instrument package providing intelligence. The instrument package may assume many forms and may serve many purposes. In a preferred embodiment, the termination includes a position-determining system and an on-board processor. The processor determines a current location in space for the termination based on the information it is receiving. This positional information may then be transmitted to an external receiver. In the scenario where the termination is attached to a payload, the positional information may be used by an external positioning device (such as a crane) to control the motion of the termination and thereby place the payload in a desired position. The termination also preferably includes load-monitoring and recording features. The termination may also carry one or more ROV's/AUV's.

An apparatus for close visual inspection of subsea pipelines comprises a housing with a chamber that has an open side. The open side is adapted to be placed in sealing engagement against the pipeline. The chamber is flooded with clear water to improve the visual view. It is also described an apparatus for identification of a plume exiting from a leak The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber with a water permeable side that is adapted to face downward during use, and thereby being exposed to the exiting substance. A gas pressurizing device for creates a gas/water interface within the housing. An imaging device arranged above the water surface is adapted to image the water surface and detect id the water surface is being disturbed by the plume.

An underwater powered observation system useful for ice fishing and capable of driving down an augured hole in the ice in a particular orientation that receives propulsion directions via a miniature multi-conductor cable connected to a color monitor integral to a control unit. The submersible vehicle assembly is powered by an onboard rechargeable battery that energizes both horizontal and vertical thrusters to guide and move the vehicle assembly through the water from directions communicated by the control unit. The submersible vehicle assembly may include a laser adapted to be directed to the underside of ice so as to locate the vehicle assembly allowing the user to cut a hole using a standard commercial ice auger in the ice at or near fish. In this manner the vehicle assembly may be utilized for the underwater tasks of locating fish, observing scenery, boat and pier inspection, object recovery, and other underwater tasks. The submersible vehicle assembly is particularly useful for ice fishing where such submersible vehicle assembly may controlled under the ice to locations of fish.

The invention relates to a launch apparatus for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle—in particular, for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle or for a Remotely Operated Vehicle—with a launching tube having an inner wall and an outlet, and the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle contained within the launching tube, whereby the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle has a vehicle casing with a vehicle casing inhomogeneity, such that an ejection of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle causes different contact loads between the vehicle casing and the inner wall, whereby the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle has a detachable compensating form, which is designed in such a way that the vehicle inhomogeneity is compensated, such that the result is a combination of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle and the detachable compensating form, the combination whereof, when ejected, causes a substantially more uniform contact load to occur between the combination and the inner wall.

The present invention provides a nonresident system for depressurizing subsea apparatus and lines comprising a depressurizing tool (5) adapted for being coupled to an ROV interface (6) of a subsea apparatus, wherein the depressurizing tool (5) is coupled to an ROV (4), wherein: the ROV interface (6) comprises a first pipeline (6a) for connection to a first hydrocarbon transport line (8), a second pipeline (6b) for connection to second hydrocarbon transport line (9), and a connection mandrel (6d); and the depressurizing tool (5) comprises a suction line (5a) adapted for being connected to the first pipeline (6a) for connection to the first hydrocarbon transport line; a discharge line (5b) adapted for being connected to the second pipeline (6b) for connection to the second hydrocarbon transport line; a pump (5c); and a connector (5d) adapted for being connected to the connection mandrel (6d) of the ROV interface (6). A method is also provided for depressurizing subsea apparatus and lines, comprising the steps of: removing a blind cap (15) from an ROV interface (6) with aid of an ROV (4); coupling a depressurizing tool (5) to the ROV interface (6) of a subsea apparatus (10); suction and removal of fluid from a first hydrocarbon transport line, wherein the first hydrocarbon transport line comprises hydrate formation; and pressurizing and reinjecting the fluid into a second hydrocarbon transport line.

An ROV docked to a tether management system (TMS) is lifted outboard into water beside a vessel while deploying an umbilical that effects communication with the ROV via a tether of the TMS. After undocking the ROV to swim away from the TMS while deploying the tether, the TMS is suspended over the water while the ROV performs a subsea mission. A mobile or transportable ROV support unit can be positioned on a deck of a vessel of opportunity to facilitate deployment of the ROV, the TMS and the umbilical and to control the ROV during the mission.