An autonomous sailing vessel may include a hull, a mast, a sail, and a rudder. The mast may be mechanically coupled to the hull. The sail may be mechanically coupled to the mast. The rudder may be mechanically coupled to the hull. A heading of the autonomous sailing vessel may be regulated by actively controlling the rudder without actively controlling the sail. Alternatively or additionally, the autonomous sailing vessel may include an anticapsize stabilizer tank, a lidar system, and/or marine mammal monitoring and identification.

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 floating offshore structure includes a buoyant hull including a first column, a second column, and a pontoon coupled to the first column and the second column. The pontoon extends horizontally from the first column to the second column. The pontoon includes a first tubular member, a second tubular member positioned laterally adjacent to the first tubular member, a first edge plate extending horizontally from the first tubular member, and a second edge plate extending horizontally from the second tubular member. The first tubular member and the second tubular member are disposed between the first edge plate and the second edge plate. Each tubular member has a central axis, a first end coupled to the lower end of the first column, and a second end coupled to the lower end of the second column. The longitudinal axis of the first tubular member and the longitudinal axis of the second tubular member are disposed in a common horizontal plane.

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 floating offshore structure includes a buoyant hull including a first column, a second column, and a pontoon coupled to the first column and the second column. Each column is vertically oriented and the pontoon extends horizontally from the first column to the second column. Each column has a central axis, an upper end, and a lower end. The pontoon includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member positioned laterally adjacent to the first tubular member. Each tubular member has a central axis, a first end coupled to the lower end of the first column, and a second end coupled to the lower end of the second column. The longitudinal axis of the first tubular member and the longitudinal axis of the second tubular member are disposed in a common horizontal plane.

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 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 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. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. 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. 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. Alternatively, a package that is to be lifted from the deck of a marine vessel, workboat, supply boat or the like can be lifted from the deck of the workboat, vessel, barge, etc. if it is to be then placed in the marine environment such as upon an existing jacket or other under support.

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 watercraft comprising: a first section; a second section; and a connecting element joining the first section to the second section, wherein the connecting element has a first unextended state and a second extended state, and wherein the connecting element can be moved between the first and second states to alter the relative positions of the first and second sections.