A shipping container includes a container configured to be secured onto a vessel or a vehicle. The shipping container further includes at least one wingsail stored in the container and configured to be unfolded to deploy from the container and folded to be stowed in the container.

The present invention relates to a rig (2) for a nautical means comprising: a reference plane intended to coincide with a symmetry plane extending in longitudinal and vertical direction of the hull of the nautical means; at least one wing; at least one rigid support capable of supporting said wing and transmitting a propulsive thrust to the hull of the nautical means given by the aerodynamic lift generated by the wing when it takes wind; the wing comprising a first and a second main face opposite to each other, the rigid support being capable of supporting the wing at least in a first operating configuration in which at least a main portion of the first or second face is facing a first side of the reference plane and in a second operating configuration in which said main portion is facing the opposite side of the reference plane; the rigid support comprising a wing sliding path for switching from the first to the second operating position and vice versa.

A wing-type sail system is provided. The system includes a mast assembly pivotally mounted on a swiveling base attachable to a craft and a substantially rigid multi-element asymmetric wing pivotally attached to a top of the mast assembly. The system further includes a control mechanism for modifying roll and yaw of the substantially rigid wing with respect to the craft.

An apparatus and method for control of at least one of a plurality of semiautonomous marine vessels are provided. The system includes a control station with a communications system for network communication with marine vessels, and provides diagnostics and control for control and monitoring of the marine vessels, according to a mission plan.

An apparatus and method for control of at least one of a plurality of semiautonomous marine vessels are provided. The system includes a control station with a communications system for network communication with marine vessels, and provides diagnostics and control for control and monitoring of the marine vessels, according to a mission plan.

An assembly including a profiled sail, a mast and several cambering devices for the profiled sail. The cambering devices including a semi-rigid structure, elastically deformable, including two length sections, extending in front of one another, forming respectively a first length section secured to a first surface of the profiled sail and a second length section secured to a second surface of the profiled sail, a U-shaped connecting section, interconnecting the first length section and the second length section while extending them. A system reduces the surface area of the profiled sail exposed to the wind, and configured to reduce the surface area of the profiled sail including several sections of the profiled sail as well as structural cambering devices.

A rigid propulsion wing for a moving vehicle, including at least one first section and one second section, a first end and a second end each including attachment means for reversibly connecting to said moving vehicle, said first section and said second section being movable with respect to each other by means of articulating means such that said propulsion wing assumes, and moves from, at least a first deployed position to a second deployed position, and vice versa, in which deployed positions said first and second sections are arranged, substantially vertically, in the extension of each other, and in which said first end, or respectively said second end, are reversibly connected to said moving vehicle by means of the attachment means thereof.

A propulsion system for a seagoing vessel includes a rotatable frame and either (a) at least two masts coupled to the frame and each having a sail and a boom, or (b) at least two blades coupled to the frame. The rotatable frame and either the rotatable boom or at least two blades may be locked in position in a locked mode and unlocked and freely rotatable in an unlocked mode. A control system that is in communication in communication with a frame lock and either a boom lock or a blade lock and may be configured to determine when the vertical axis wind turbine should be in either the locked mode or the unlocked mode based on the direction of the wind and a direction that the seagoing vessel is traveling.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to system, method and apparatus for controlling the speed of a sailing vessel. The speed of a sailing vessel is controlled by varying a force of a cam follower against a perimeter of a cam mounted to either a rotatable mast, or a rotatable sleeve concentrically mounted to a fixed mast, of the sailing vessel. In some embodiments, an onboard control unit determines conditions such as vessel speed, weather conditions, threats, etc. and automatically causes a sailing vessel to achieve predetermined vessel speeds based on the determined conditions.

A vessel is provided with a mast, sail, and halyard for hoisting the sail. The sail includes dollies configured to be movable along the mast. The mast includes a guide member, the guide dollies configured to cooperate with said guide member, wherein: the sail includes rigid panels, articulated two by two; the mast is equipped with a transit part positioned at the end of the guide member, which has a flared lower portion and is open at its opposite ends, wherein during hoisting of the sail, each dolly is received in the transit part and is guided along to leave it through its upper opening and cooperate with the guide member, while during its lowering, each dolly is disengaged from the guide member, is received in the transit part, moves along it, and escapes from it by following the movement of the portion of the sail with which it is integral.