Described herein is an unmanned water vehicle comprising two or more hulls, a retractable sensor apparatus, a wireless communications device, a steerable drive apparatus, a mobility and control module providing operation of the unmanned water vehicle, and a power system comprising: one or more solar panels and an energy storage device, wherein the unmanned water vehicle is capable of continuous operation for a period of at least 3 months.

Disclosed is a semi-submersible floater defining an operating state and a non-operating state, and including at least two outer columns, a central column for receiving a payload, and, for each outer column, a branch in the form of pontoon connecting the outer column to the central column and defining a branch axis oriented from the central column towards the outer column. Each branch is formed from a first portion and a second portion which extend successively along the corresponding branch axis, each one over at least 10% of the total extent of the branch, along the branch axis. In the operating state of the floater, the second portion of each branch is at least partially filled with a ballast material, and the first portion does not contain any ballast material.

A multihull sailing vessel includes at least two buoyant hulls extending along their longitudinal axes, with the hulls being connected to each other and a first hydrofoil connected to the hulls and oriented transverse to the hulls. The first hydrofoil is movably coupled to the hulls between a first position above a resting waterline of the hulls and a second position below a lowest extent of the hulls. When the first hydrofoil is in the second position, a configuration of the first hydrofoil is adjustable to vary an amount of lifting force generated by the first hydrofoil when the hulls move forward through water when the first hydrofoil is in the second position.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

A watercraft accessory includes a front tandem rail, a rear tandem rail, a motor mount, the motor mount adapted to snap onto the rear tandem rail, and a gear deck, the gear deck adapted to snap onto the rear tandem rail or a forward tandem rail.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames.

A catamaran hull of hybrid structure includes a first lateral float, a second lateral float and a central float connecting the first lateral float to the second lateral float; the hull further including a first beam having a first bulkhead and a second beam having a second bulkhead, each bulkhead lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the bow-stern line and including: a central part including a lower element intended to collaborate with a lower part of the central float; a first lateral part including a lower element intended to collaborate with a lower part of the first lateral float; a second lateral part including a lower element intended to collaborate with a lower part of the second lateral float; the hull part arranged between the first bulkhead and the second bulkhead defining a monobloc hull portion.

A catamaran oil production apparatus is disclosed for producing oil in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. At least one of the frames supports an oil production platform. One or more risers or riser pipes extends from the seabed (e.g., at a wellhead) to the production platform (or platforms). In one embodiment, the production apparatus includes crew quarters.

A method to rapidly form a reconfigurable multihull multiplatform floating vessel includes installing a plurality of pin connectors on a plurality of longitudinal hulls, installing a plurality of joints on the plurality of longitudinal hulls, positioning the plurality of longitudinal hulls with the plurality of pin connectors and the plurality of joints proximate each other, mounting a first moveable planar platform having a first end and a second end with the first moveable planar platform mounted a preset distance above a load line of the first longitudinal hull, mounting a second moveable planar platform having a first end and a second end, forming a platform void extending between pairs of moveable planar platforms to provide increased safety for equipment and personnel on the moveable planar platform by preventing impact together of longitudinal hulls, and forming a hull void extending between pairs of longitudinal hulls.

A pontoon boat includes port and starboard pontoons and cross members connecting the pontoons. A shock absorber may be installed at each point of connection of the pontoons to the cross members. A cross member may be embodied as a double-webbed beam having first and second parallel flanges and first and second webs disposed between and connected to the flanges. Each pontoon may include a two-stage lifting strake having a first surface and a second surface inclined from the first surface.