Patent ID: 6688248
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
A submersible catamaran having a bow and a stern further comprising:a. a first submergible float comprising a first float rounded triangular bow, a first float midsection, a first float tail, and first float stern; b. a second submergible float comprising a second float rounded triangular bow, second float midsection, second float tail, and second float stern, wherein the second submergible float is disposed in a parallel relation to the first submergible float; c. a solid support surface forming a top to the first and second submergible floats and wherein the solid support surface is adapted for supporting heavy loads and forming an air gap between the first and second submergible floats and the solid support surface and a slot opening disposed between first and second submergible float tails; d. a first load supporting movable column disposed on the solid support surface; e. a second load supporting movable column disposed on the solid support surface; f. a first fixed column disposed on the first submergible float; g. a second fixed column disposed on the second submergible float; h. a first ballast system disposed in the first submergible float; i. a second ballast system disposed the second submergible float, wherein the first and second ballast systems are adapted to raise and lower the catamaran with respect to the waterline; j. a horizontal positioning system comprising: i. at least three horizontal maneuvering winches; ii. at least three maneuvering lines, each connected on one end to a winch and on the other end to an horizontal maneuvering object at sea; and iii. a controller for orienting the catamaran relative to the object at sea, and wherein the controller monitors the tension on the maneuvering lines and the controller initiates winch pay out of the maneuvering line when load on any one of the maneuvering lines exceeds a first preset limit, and further the controller initiates the maneuvering winch tensioning of the maneuvering line when tension on any one of the maneuvering lines falls below a second preset limit; k. and a vertical positioning system for securing the catamaran to an object at sea; i. a first line secured on one end substantially vertically to an object at sea; ii. a second line secured on one end substantially vertically to the object at sea; iii. a first motion compensation system disposed in the first load supporting moveable column and connected to the other end of the first line; iv. a second motion compensation system disposed in the second load supporting moveable column and connected to the other end of the second line; and v. a control system for monitoring and controlling tension between first and second motion compensation systems and the object at sea.