A floating marine platform is provided including a central column, at least three peripheral columns circumferentially around the central column, radially extending beams from the central column that connect the peripheral columns with the central column, and structural members spanning between each adjacent pair of peripheral columns. The structural members are pre-tensioned.

A floating marine platform is provided including a central column, at least three peripheral columns circumferentially around the central column, radially extending beams from the central column that connect the peripheral columns with the central column, and structural members spanning between each adjacent pair of peripheral columns. The structural members are pre-tensioned.

A water vessel flotation system is disclosed comprising a plurality of inflatable bladders disposed within a vessel. In the event of capsizing or hull rupture, the bladders can be automatically inflated with compressed gas. Inflation of the bladders can be performed by one or more omni directional float triggered valves coupled between the compressed gas tanks and the bladders. Each valve is operated by a lever having a flexible link (e.g. a chain) attached to its end. The flexible link extends somewhat perpendicularly away from the lever end to pass through an eyelet at distal point. A float is attached to the flexible link after exiting the eyelet allowing the buoyant action of the float in any direction to cause the flexible link to be pulled toward the eyelet and thereby pulling the lever end and opening the valve.

A submersion system for a rotorcraft is described and includes a control module for controlling a depth to which the rotorcraft is submerged in a body of water; a compressed air chamber associated with the control module; and at least one flotation pod including a sealable opening on a top surface thereof and an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The control module selectively causes water to be taken into the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to submerge in the body of water and selectively causes water to be evacuated from the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to float in the body of water.

A submersion system for a rotorcraft is described and includes a control module for controlling a depth to which the rotorcraft is submerged in a body of water; a compressed air chamber associated with the control module; and at least one flotation pod including a sealable opening on a top surface thereof and an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The control module selectively causes water to be taken into the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to submerge in the body of water and selectively causes water to be evacuated from the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to float in the body of water.

A submersion system for a rotorcraft is described and includes a control module for controlling a depth to which the rotorcraft is submerged in a body of water; a compressed air chamber associated with the control module; and at least one flotation pod including a sealable opening on a top surface thereof and an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The control module selectively causes water to be taken into the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to submerge in the body of water and selectively causes water to be evacuated from the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to float in the body of water.

A submersion system for a rotorcraft is described and includes a control module for controlling a depth to which the rotorcraft is submerged in a body of water; a compressed air chamber associated with the control module; and at least one flotation pod including a sealable opening on a top surface thereof and an opening on a bottom surface thereof. The control module selectively causes water to be taken into the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to submerge in the body of water and selectively causes water to be evacuated from the at least one flotation pod to cause the submersion system to float in the body of water.

A method of assembling a watercraft of a family of watercraft includes, when assembling a first watercraft, attaching a front hull panel to a rear hull panel such that the front hull panel extends forwardly of the rear hull panel. The front hull panel and the rear hull panel form a hull of the first watercraft. The method also includes, when assembling the second watercraft: attaching a hull extension panel to the rear hull panel such that the hull extension panel extends forwardly of the rear hull panel; and attaching the front hull panel to the hull extension panel such that the front hull panel extends forwardly of the hull extension panel. The front hull panel, the hull extension panel and the rear hull panel form a hull of the second watercraft. The second watercraft has a second hull length greater than a first hull length of the first watercraft.

The present invention concerns an inflatable salvage bag (1), for reducing fluid flow through a hole in the hull structure of a marine vessel or in a storage tank. The inflatable salvage bag (1) includes an inner bag (9), wherein the inner bag (9) is inflatable, a reinforcing bag (10), wherein the reinforcing bag (10) surrounds the inner bag (9) and is configured to be tear and puncture resistant and an outer bag (2), wherein the outer bag (2) surrounds the reinforcing bag (10). The inflatable salvage bag (1) further includes a valve (5), configured to connect the inner bag (9) with an external source of pressurized gas, in order to inflate the inflatable salvage bag (1).

The present invention concerns an inflatable salvage bag (1), for reducing fluid flow through a hole in the hull structure of a marine vessel or in a storage tank. The inflatable salvage bag (1) includes an inner bag (9), wherein the inner bag (9) is inflatable, a reinforcing bag (10), wherein the reinforcing bag (10) surrounds the inner bag (9) and is configured to be tear and puncture resistant and an outer bag (2), wherein the outer bag (2) surrounds the reinforcing bag (10). The inflatable salvage bag (1) further includes a valve (5), configured to connect the inner bag (9) with an external source of pressurized gas, in order to inflate the inflatable salvage bag (1).