Patent ID: 6155190
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B60V,B63C

Abstract:
An apparatus for portaging a ship:a dry dock disposed at the surface of the water to raise a ship above said surface and to lower said ship below said surface;an air cushion platform connected to said dry dock to carry said ship, said dry dock, and said air cushion platform on an air cushion across said surface and other surfaces including land, ice, swamp, and tundra;equipment on said dry dock to generate and duct volumes of pressurized air to generate said air cushion;air bag structure on said dry dock to hold said ship in an upright position thereon;means on said dry dock for ballasting to raise said ship from the water after purging water therefrom and to launch said ship in the water after flooding water therein, said ballasting means being disposed to laterally extend across said dry dock beneath said ship and on opposite lateral sides of said dry dock;means connected to a cable for hauling said ship, dry dock, and air cushion platform across said surfaces; anda skirt depending from said air cushion platform around a lower periphery thereof, said skirt having a plurality of flexible and pliable fingers to assure generation and definition of said air cushion.