Patent ID: 8869727
Filing Date: 2014-10-28
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A buoyant structure comprising: a. a hull having a main deck, an upper frustoconical portion, a lower frustoconical side section, a lower ellipsoidal section and an ellipsoidal keel; b. a tunnel formed within the hull, the tunnel containing water to an operational depth when the buoyant structure floats at the operational depth in a body of water, the tunnel being free of water when the buoyant structure floats at a transit depth in the body of water, the tunnel comprising: c. a main deck secured to the hull and covering the tunnel; and d. a plurality of dynamic movable tendering mechanisms connected to the tunnel sides, the dynamic movable tendering mechanisms connected proximate to the operational depth for contacting with at least one side of the watercraft, enabling the tunnel to receive the watercraft securely for loading and unloading while the buoyant structure is at the operational depth.