摘要:
The present invention discloses an apparatus for changing the direction of travel of a sailing vessel. The apparatus consists of a watercraft (10) with moveable flaps (12A, 12B, 12C) internal ballast tanks, solenoid banks (20) and explosive activated nut and bolt clamps. The watercraft (10) is manually navigated or remote control. A method of utilizing the watercraft (10) to retard and/or change the direction of travel of the sailing vessel is disclosed.
摘要:
A method for diverting a sailing vessel is disclosed. A watercraft (10) equipped with a harpoon (12) having a hull-piercing head and a tail attached to a cable may swiftly approach the vessel in the aft position. Upon piercing the hull an extraction-preventing means, such as spokes unfolded from the head, latching it in the hull and preventing the harpoon's withdrawal. Via a cable attached to the tail of the harpoon (12) the watercraft (10) may use low-speed high- traction propulsion means such as Voith-Schneider Propulsion (VSP) (16) to pull an divert the vessel at the stern to a desired course. The watercraft (10) may preferably have a combination of lifting hydrofoils (18a, 18b) with propellers (20), and VSP propellers (16) to provide the respective low-traction high-speed and high-traction low-speed modes of o eration.
摘要:
A method for intercepting and yawing an errant sailing vessel is disclosed, wherein the vessel might have been hijacked or malfunctioned and in danger of colliding with an object. The method comprises despatching a watercraft (12) to approach the sailing vessel (10) and secures itself to one side of the sailing vessel's hull. Preferably, a second watercraft (14) is secured to the other side of said vessel's hull. At least one of the watercrafts (12, 14) is then operated to direct propulsion thrust to yaw said vessel in a desired direction. Preferably still, the first and second watercrafts are each secured respectively to the right and left sides of the vessel's hull proximate to the stem or bow end. The first (right side) watercraft then operates a fluid propulsion which thrust is directed away from the vessel's right side while the second (left side) watercraft's propulsion is on standby. As a result, the vessel is turn rightward or clockwise. Conversely, the first watercraft may be put on standby while the second watercraft's propulsion is operated such that the thrust is directed away from the vessel's left side, thereby causing the vessel to turn leftward or anti-clockwise.
摘要:
A method for intercepting and yawing an errant sailing vessel is disclosed, wherein the vessel might have been hijacked or malfunctioned and in danger of colliding with an object. The method comprises despatching a pair of watercraft (12, 14) to approach said sailing vessel (10), providing a tow rope (16) to be secured at one end to first watercraft (12) and the other end to second watercraft (14). The tow rope (16) is brought to extend between the first (12) and second (14) watercrafts over the hull of said sailing vessel. The first watercraft (12) is then secured to one side of said sailing vessel's hull, while second watercraft (14) pulls the tow rope away from the direction of sailing on the other side of said vessel's hull. In an alternative embodiment, the tow rope end held by the first watercraft (12) may be secured directly to the vessel's hull, thus freeing the first watercraft to evacuate crew from the vessel to a safer distance.