A boat strap is described herein, as well as a system and method of attaching two boats with the boat strap. The boat strap is made up of a main strap, a free cam, a lower cam strap, and a lower cam. The free cam is mechanically connected to the main strap, where the main strap loops through a free cam strap connector. Additional stitching connects the main strap to itself forming a free cam loop to connect the free cam to the main strap. The lower cam is mechanically connected to the lower cam strap. The lower cam strap loops through a lower cam strap connector, and a primary stitching connects the lower cam strap to itself forming a lower cam loop to connect the lower cam to the lower cam strap, wherein the primary stitching further connects the lower cam strap to the main strap. The main strap loops through a connector on one boat and runs through the lower cam to attach the boat strap to the rail. The main strap then is run through the cam on a second boat strap on the other boat, attaching the boats.

This invention relates to a generally molded fiberglass apparatus that serves a multipurpose function for inflatable boats. The apparatus attaches to the bow of the boat and includes a forward passenger seat with a backrest and optionally servers to provide a step for embarking or disembarking the boat at the bow, and location for affixing one or more marine navigational or safety devices or accessories. The invention is affixed to the inner bow section of the passenger area to an inflatable tubular member craft by a permanent or semi-permanent means including, but not limited to clamps, adhesives, bolts, clips, snaps, ties, ratchets, or a combination thereof. The apparatus is shaped to conform to the topside bow curvature of the inflatable boat and to the adjacent concave curvature on the substantially vertical section within the passenger area at the bow of the inflatable boat, utilizing the craft's structure as the seated area.

A sponson attachment for an airboat allows the airboat to increase its safety and stability very quickly. A method for attaching a sponson to an airboat hull includes attaching first and second flexible tethers to a side of the sponson. The method also includes removably securing the first flexible tether to an exterior of the airboat hull adjacent a gunnel, and removably securing the second flexible tether below the first flexible tether on the exterior of the hull.

Embodiments are directed toward an insert for an inflatable boat having a hull and an inflatable peripheral tube that define a boat cockpit. The insert has a rigid floor and a rigid peripheral sidewall that define an insert cockpit. The insert is configured to register with the boat cockpit while the floor of the insert covers most of the upper surface of the hull and while the peripheral sidewall of the insert covers most of the inner surface of the peripheral tube. Accordingly, the insert facilitates increasing rigidity of the inflatable boat while reducing snaggable features in the inflatable boat.

A device for detecting a fall of and for geolocating a container that has gone overboard that includes an electronic box and a means for removably attaching the electronic box to an external part of the container is disclosed. The electronic box includes a means for detecting the container's fall, a control unit controlling the removable attachment means in the event of the detection of the container's fall and disconnecting the electronic box from the external part of the container, a flotation means for floating the electronic box on a stretch of water, a geolocation module, a data communication means, a means for powering the control unit, a link for maintaining a permanent connection between the electronic box and container when the box is disconnected from the container. This allows detection a container falling into the sea and to communicate its geographical position with a view to towing thereof.

A watercraft includes at least one float, a first frame supported by the at least one float, and a main panel affixed across the first frame. The watercraft further includes a second frame affixed to the first frame rotatably about a first edge and a second panel affixed across the second frame. In an embodiment, the first edge includes a shared frame member belonging to both said the frame and the second frame. In an embodiment, the watercraft includes a third frame affixed to the first frame rotatably about a second edge distinct from the first edge and a third panel affixed across the third frame. In an embodiment, the watercraft includes a shade rotatably affixed to a shade support edge member of the second frame and a shade panel affixed across the shade frame. The shade frame includes a pair of shade frame edge members rotatably affixed to the shade support edge member of the second frame.

A floating solar photovoltaic array having an energy management power control system configured to send power clipped by an inverter to the at least one powered accessory device which can be an aerator, a diffuser, a sub-surface agitator, a sub-surface water circulator, a sub-surface positioning/mooring system, a water quality sensor; a panel washer, or a bird removal system. The array has inflatable pontoons and an air manifold system which is powered by the solar photovoltaic modules can be used to adjust the angle of inclination of the solar photovoltaic modules to the sun. The powered accessories can also be powered by unclipped power or onshore power or combinations thereof which can be controllably adjusted by the energy management control system over time.

The invention relates to a drop-stitch element in which at least one adhesive fold (9, 10) of variable depth is introduced into a flat drop-stitch component (8) such that the outer skin of the drop-stitch component can be folded on one side of the drop-stitch component or, according to the position of the fold, alternately on both sides of the drop-stitch component.

Water rescue of an individual whether they be a man overboard (MOB) from a boat or someone close to shore requiring a water rescue by shore lifeguards, can easily become a dangerous and life-threatening situation within a few seconds.

The current invention offers a Compact Powered Rescue Apparatus (CPRA), a lightweight and compact powered watercraft that can be deployed from a moving boat in just seconds thanks to an innovative CO.sub.2 inflation system. CPRA can be stowed on-board a vessel and automatically inflated in just seconds much like the compulsory life-raft or pre-inflated and ready to deploy immediately from shoreline lifeguard stations.

CPRA is a powered watercraft based on U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,029 Motorized Surf Boots (Powered Waterskis), a recreational watercraft. However, in this case the craft is made inflatable, configured with a portable stretcher for water search-and-rescue operations, and driven by battery powered electric marine thrusters.

A survival craft comprises a hull (10) formed from inflatable members (12, 13) and mounting a powered propulsion system (18, 19) for the survival craft. A superstructure (11) is mounted on the hull and formed from inflatable members (25, 26, 29a-29i) and a flexible roof (28) supported by the inflatable members (25, 26, 29a-29i). The superstructure provides the hull (10) with increased longitudinal rigidity that reduces the tendency of the hull (10) to bow longitudinally when the propulsion system (18, 19) is operating. The survival craft forms part of a marine escape system with the survival craft deflated and packed in a container including an inflation system for the survival craft. The system has a deployment system for amounting on a marine structure and carrying the container with the deployment system transferring the container from the structure to the water where the inflation system inflates the survival craft for access by persons.