A sensor apparatus for a sail includes a unique sail identifier and an in-use sensor, the in-use sensor determining whether the sail is in an in-use condition or a dormant condition. The in-use sensor includes a light sensor for measuring light falling on the sail and one or more accelerometers for measuring orientation and vibration of the apparatus, wherein an in-use condition is determined from reviewing whether measurements from the light sensor and one or more accelerometers exceed threshold values.

A sensor apparatus for a sail includes a unique sail identifier and an in-use sensor, the in-use sensor determining whether the sail is in an in-use condition or a dormant condition. The in-use sensor includes a light sensor for measuring light falling on the sail and one or more accelerometers for measuring orientation and vibration of the apparatus, wherein an in-use condition is determined from reviewing whether measurements from the light sensor and one or more accelerometers exceed threshold values.

A transfer system for a composite material including: a nonwoven as carrier material and a textile layer of reinforcing fibers, wherein the reinforcing fibers consist of mono- or multifilaments or tapes and the carrier material is adhesively bonded to the layer of reinforcing fibers.

A sailcloth including a woven fabric of a first fiber material and a second fiber material woven into it, in which the second fiber material forms a network structure within the woven fabric, with the second fiber material having a higher tearing resistance than the first fiber material and with the second fiber having a sliding ability within the woven fabric.

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.

A nestable wing sail having two or more sections. Where one section is configured to nest inside the first section, and can move out of the first section to extend the effective sail area of the wing sail.

A nestable wing sail having two or more sections. Where one section is configured to nest inside the first section, and can move out of the first section to extend the effective sail area of the wing sail.

One embodiment of a deployable reversible camber sail system, based on a deployable shell (58) contained within a mast-sail assembly (11, 12) and supported and controlled by additional assemblies (13-15), is disclosed. The embodiment may be easily and quickly configured into the furled, feathered, port tack and starboard tack sail forms. In addition, this embodiment represents a highly efficient sail module which may be controlled by a single human operator or automated computer-based control system. Additional embodiments, utilizing assemblages of the first embodiment sail system module, are described.

An unmanned, autonomous, ocean-going vessel including a primary hull and a rigid wing rotationally coupled with the primary hull that freely rotates about a rotational axis. At least one of the primary hull and the rigid wing includes at least one selectively floodable compartment configured to selectively flood to submerge the primary hull and at least a portion of the rigid wing. The vessel further includes at least one controller configured to maintain a desired heading. The vessel further includes a control surface element configured to aerodynamically control a wing angle of the rigid wing based on a force exerted by wind on the control surface element. The vessel further includes a rudder. The at least one controller is further configured to determine a rudder position and generate a signal to position the rudder. The vessel further includes a keel coupled with the primary hull.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a steering arrangement for steering a kite driven watercraft (14) which includes a mounting member (base, 20) which is configured to be mounted on a watercraft (14), a first connecting member for connecting a leading edge region (16) of a canopy (12) of the kite to the mounting member, a second connecting member for connecting a trailing edge region (18) of the canopy (12) to the mounting member and a control device for controlling the displacement of the canopy relative to the watercraft via at least the second connecting member.