There is described a watercraft comprising a housing having a hull and a deck, the hull shaped to cause the watercraft to operate in a displacement state and a planing state, a powerplant in the housing, and a propulsion device drivingly engaged to the powerplant to generate a propulsive force to propel the watercraft. A controller is configured for monitoring an operational parameter of the watercraft, the watercraft having a range-efficient operating regime following a transition of the watercraft from the displacement state to the planing state, the operational parameter having an optimal state for the range-efficient operating regime. A user interface is coupled to the controller and configured for providing a visual indication of a status of the watercraft in relation to the range-efficient operating regime.

There is described a watercraft comprising a housing having a hull and a deck, the hull shaped to cause the watercraft to operate in a displacement state and a planing state, a powerplant in the housing, and a propulsion device drivingly engaged to the powerplant to generate a propulsive force to propel the watercraft. A controller is configured for monitoring an operational parameter of the watercraft, the watercraft having a range-efficient operating regime following a transition of the watercraft from the displacement state to the planing state, the operational parameter having an optimal state for the range-efficient operating regime. A user interface is coupled to the controller and configured for providing a visual indication of a status of the watercraft in relation to the range-efficient operating regime.

The present invention relates to a propulsion and braking system using a clutch, the system comprising: a device that has, embedded therein, a clutch operation pressure-regulating valve, and a clutch and gears for controlling a driven body in the same and opposite rotational direction of a driving body; and a control unit for regulating the rotational speed of the driven body so as to enable a continuous operation at a speed that is lower than a rated rotational speed by using the slip of the clutch, and controlling so that the engagement timing control of the clutch and engagement of same are sustained if the driven body requires operation at the rated rotational speed or higher, wherein, when a braking signal is inputted into the control unit during propulsion of the driven body, the control unit removes the operation pressure of the clutch embedded in the device that is in operation, activates the clutch for controlling the rotational direction of the driven body to the reverse rotational direction, and then regulates the operation pressure of the clutch by means of the valve so as to enable the control of the braking of the propulsive body. The propulsion and braking system using a clutch, according to the present invention, is related to all equipment requiring propulsion and braking.

A sailing assisting system is provided in which a sailing assist for a vessel which enters a specific water area where sailing of the vessel is limited is realized through a simple configuration and in which a steersman is prevented from having strange feeling. A sailing assisting system includes movable controlling devices (a shift and throttle controller, a steering device, a trim switch), actuators (a rotational shaft drive unit, a shaft drive unit, a switch drive unit) for driving these controlling devices, and a control unit for executing a notification operation and controlling the actuators to limit movable ranges of the controlling devices if a hull is determined to stay within a specific water area where the sailing of the hull is limited based on information on the specific water area and information on the position of the hull.

A sailing assisting system is provided in which a sailing assist for a vessel which enters a specific water area where sailing of the vessel is limited is realized through a simple configuration and in which a steersman is prevented from having strange feeling. A sailing assisting system includes movable controlling devices (a shift and throttle controller, a steering device, a trim switch), actuators (a rotational shaft drive unit, a shaft drive unit, a switch drive unit) for driving these controlling devices, and a control unit for executing a notification operation and controlling the actuators to limit movable ranges of the controlling devices if a hull is determined to stay within a specific water area where the sailing of the hull is limited based on information on the specific water area and information on the position of the hull.

A method and a system for controlling a propulsive power output applied to a propeller shaft of a ship. If a current value of a propulsive power of a propulsive power source equals or falls below a lower power limit value, and/or if a current value of an operational parameter reaches a first/lower parameter limit value, a control unit is configured to: increase a power output of an internal combustion engine of the propulsive power source. Thus, operation of the engine below a lower power limit is avoided.

A method and a system for controlling a propulsive power output applied to a propeller shaft of a ship. If a current value of a propulsive power of a propulsive power source equals or falls below a lower power limit value, and/or if a current value of an operational parameter reaches a first/lower parameter limit value, a control unit is configured to: increase a power output of an internal combustion engine of the propulsive power source. Thus, operation of the engine below a lower power limit is avoided.

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 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 speed control device which is satisfactory in response and tracking to a speed setting, and can adjust an acceleration-and-deceleration feel according to preferences, is provided. The speed control device 6 controls a speed of a ship so that the speed automatically follows a speed setting set by a ship operator. The speed control device 6 includes a target speed setting module 63 and a change rate adjusting module 64. The target speed setting module 63 sets a target speed that is a target of the speed of the ship to follow, for every unit time, according to the speed setting, to change the target speed based on a given rate of change. The change rate adjusting module 64 decreases the rate of change by adjusting the rate of change at multiple stages, when the target speed set by the target speed setting module 63 approaches the speed setting.