A raising assembly for use with a gangway connected for rotation between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. The raising assembly comprises at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected to the gangway. A raising actuator is operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the gangway toward the stowed position while the raising actuator is continuously activated by an operator. A lowering actuator is operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the gangway toward the deployed position due to gravitational forces while the lowering actuator is continuously activated by the operator. The raising assembly is configured to maintain the gangway at a current position between the stowed position and the deployed position if the operator does one of ceasing to activate the raising actuator while raising the gangway or ceasing to activate the lowering actuator while lowering the gangway.

A raising assembly for use with a gangway connected for rotation between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. The raising assembly comprises at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected to the gangway. A raising actuator is operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the gangway toward the stowed position while the raising actuator is continuously activated by an operator. A lowering actuator is operative to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the gangway toward the deployed position due to gravitational forces while the lowering actuator is continuously activated by the operator. The raising assembly is configured to maintain the gangway at a current position between the stowed position and the deployed position if the operator does one of ceasing to activate the raising actuator while raising the gangway or ceasing to activate the lowering actuator while lowering the gangway.

Systems and methods are provided for predicting drawbridge operation based on incoming vessel information and historical drawbridge operation data, and transmitting the drawbridge operation prediction to a GPS system such as an autonomous vehicle or a mobile device application for rerouting a planned navigation route. A transceiver may receive vessel information, e.g., incoming vessel size, type, speed, position, or quantity, or estimated incoming vessel arrival time, from one or more cameras and/or a marine radio, and may receive historical drawbridge operation data based on the incoming vessel information from an online database such that the drawbridge operation prediction is based on the historical data.

A gravity drawbridge is a moveable bridge that utilizes gravity and fluid transport to transition a bridge deck between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The gravity bridge includes a fulcrum, a first fluid reservoir, a second fluid reservoir and a fluid pump. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are internally mounted within the bridge deck. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are in fluid communication to each to transport a quantity of fluid between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir using the fluid pump. The bridge deck rotates about the fulcrum as the quantity of fluid is transported between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir to transition the bridge deck between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

A gravity drawbridge is a moveable bridge that utilizes gravity and fluid transport to transition a bridge deck between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The gravity bridge includes a fulcrum, a first fluid reservoir, a second fluid reservoir and a fluid pump. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are internally mounted within the bridge deck. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are in fluid communication to each to transport a quantity of fluid between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir using the fluid pump. The bridge deck rotates about the fulcrum as the quantity of fluid is transported between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir to transition the bridge deck between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

A gravity drawbridge is a moveable bridge that utilizes gravity and fluid transport to transition a bridge deck between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The gravity bridge includes a fulcrum, a first fluid reservoir, a second fluid reservoir and a fluid pump. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are internally mounted within the bridge deck. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are in fluid communication to each to transport a quantity of fluid between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir using the fluid pump. The bridge deck rotates about the fulcrum as the quantity of fluid is transported between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir to transition the bridge deck between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

A gravity drawbridge is a moveable bridge that utilizes gravity and fluid transport to transition a bridge deck between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The gravity bridge includes a fulcrum, a first fluid reservoir, a second fluid reservoir and a fluid pump. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are internally mounted within the bridge deck. The first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir are in fluid communication to each to transport a quantity of fluid between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir using the fluid pump. The bridge deck rotates about the fulcrum as the quantity of fluid is transported between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir to transition the bridge deck between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.

A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.

A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.