A workboat includes at least two hulls, at least one work tool, a body, and at least one carrier frame which is fastened on the body, between a bow and a stern of the workboat. The at least one work tool is arranged on the at least one carrier frame. A range of movement of at least one of the at least one carrier frame and the at least one work tool, in a transverse direction of the workboat, is located centrally with respect to the workboat and between the at least two hulls which extend in a longitudinal direction. In an event of a position change during a work procedure of the at least one work tool, a position of a center of gravity of the workboat varies by at most 15% with respect to a boat length of the workboat.

The technology relates to an apparatus, methods and applications which take readings and samples in contaminated bodies of water at desired locations and depths. The apparatus is a remote control boat or similar apparatus that can travel on the surface, partially submersed or fully submersed. Onboard remote control instruments read pH, temperature, conductivity, salinity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate as well as algae and chlorophyll levels. It can also perform sludge blanket mapping and take water or sludge samples at different depths of the water column or at the bottom of the body of water. The data obtained permits to evaluate the health of a contaminated body of water to develop appropriate bioremediation procedures and monitor progress. The apparatus can also deliver the necessary bioremediation products. The danger for humans to navigate on contaminated waters is avoided with the remote control apparatus.

A system and method for multi-image-based vessel proximity situation recognition support is proposed. The system may include an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) configured to detect and track surrounding objects by monitoring surroundings using surrounding images and navigation sensors. The system may also include a remote navigation controller configured to support proximity situation recognition of the unmanned surface vehicle according to detection of the surrounding objects, wherein the unmanned surface vehicle may include an image acquisition processor, a navigation sensor, and a detector.

A control unit for controlling a marine vessel to avoid an emergency situation, the control unit comprising processing circuitry and a storage medium, wherein the control unit is configured to receive path data from one or more sensor devices indicative of a path traveled by the marine vessel in a forward direction and to store the received path data by the storage medium, characterized in that the control unit is configured to receive a trigger signal from an input device, and, in response to the trigger signal, determine a location for turning the vessel around, navigating to the location, turning the vessel around at the location, and navigating the vessel along the path in reverse direction.

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.

Systems and associated methods for rapid integration and control of payloads carded by a multi-mode, unmanned vehicle configured to accommodate a variety of payloads of varying size, shape, and interface and control characteristics. Mechanical, power, signal, and logical interfaces to a variety of payloads operate to enable environmental protection, efficient placement and connection to the vehicle, and control of those payloads in multiple environmental modes as well as operational modes (including in air, on the surface of water surface, and underwater).

The methods and devices described herein provide a sensor array positioning system that may allow a user to program a series of sensor array locations, depths and orientations into a control center, which therein commands two or more unmanned surface or submarine vehicles which positions one or more sensor arrays. The devices consist of at least two unmanned vehicles, two or more tow cables, a flexible sensor array comprising one or more sensors, and one or more buoyancy engines. The unmanned vehicles may consist of a master vehicle and one or more slave vehicles, wherein the master vehicle commands the one or more slave vehicles.

A boat that operate autonomously or by remote control, and may be operated without on-board personnel (unmanned) or may be operated in conjunction with onboard personnel, and to methods of using such boats at sea.

A multi-functional aquatic vehicle comprises a main body. The main body comprises: a propulsion system, comprising at least one propeller for changing a motion attitude of the main body; a camera system, comprising at least one camera; a communication system, comprising a signal receiving module for receiving an external signal detected by the aquatic vehicle and a signal transmitting module for transmitting a signal to an external control system; and a control system, for controlling an operating state of the propulsion system, adjusting a capturing angle of the camera system and controlling internal and external communication of the communication system. A towing hook device comprises: a driving system, a connecting mechanism and a towing hook mechanism. The driving system drives the connecting mechanism to rotate such that the towing hook mechanism turns over or rotates to release a load.

An all-terrain rover has a ladder frame having one or more crosspieces, two drive units connected on opposite sides of the frame, first and second auger cylinders engaged with the drive units so as to be urged into rotation by the drive units, each cylinder comprising a sealed hollow cylinder; and a spiral auger flange affixed to the exterior of the cylinder, wherein the drive units are in contact with the axes of the auger cylinders are parallel and the flange of the first cylinder is wound in an opposite direction to the flange of the second cylinder, and wherein the cylinders are each counter-rotated to urge the rover forward. In one embodiment sampling equipment is mounted on the frame. In another, each cylinder further comprises a conical end cap at each end. Each cylinder may have a frustaconical end cap at each end, and each cylinder may be buoyant.