Abstract:
An apparatus, method and system for rescuing persons and distressed vessels, up to about 50 tons displacement, in foul weather and for transporting loaded full sized truck/ship containers or other loads by water. Two pairs of long straight pontoons, each having five articulated short pontoon segments, support an upper framework formed by six articulatable legs, three on either side. The legs allow the height and span of the craft to be varied. They are connected to and support a central control pod. The control pod contains winches for the support of a vessel or of other loads under the control pod using two slings. A compartment under the control pod can be created by lowering a bottom platform with cables which support the sides of the platform.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the design of marine vessels.  
       USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS  
       [0002]     No federal funding, direct or indirect, has been utilized in conjunction with the development of the present invention.  
       PUBLICATION  
       [0003]     The invention disclosed in this application may be the subject of an application filed in another country or under a multilateral agreement that requires publication at eighteen months after filing. Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b), this application may be published other than in the United States.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0004]     No prior art can be found which discloses the present invention. There are numerous vessels which are dedicated to the rescue of persons and of vessels in distress. None however relate to or teach the present invention.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,159 (Jenan Kazim; 1999) discloses a pontoon type structure with variable volume for stabilizing a vessel and is not directly applicable to the present invention.  
         [0006]     US. Pat. No. 4,534,738 (Thomas J. McKnight; 1985) discloses a tug type craft with additional propulsion units which can be added to provide extra drive units. It is not directly related to the present invention.  
         [0007]     One U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,439 (2005) by Ugo Conti provides considerable insight into the design and functioning of pontoon supported vessels and therefore it is entirely incorporated herein by reference. The Conti patent and craft represent the current state of the art for these types of vessels. The Conti patent refines the use of a pair of long flexing parallel pontoons by disclosing the use of a hinged section at the rear of each pontoon for the support of a propulsion unit in each section. This approach solves a problem unique to vessels which utilize long flexing pontoons which have had the problem of the elevation of the craft&#39;s propellers clear of the water when crossing a steep wave. This result is not relevant to the present invention which utilizes 20 hinged and pivoted pontoon segments which are grouped into four long articulating pontoons with two long pontoons on each side of an elevated control pod. Unlike the present invention, the Conti patent does not utilize articulating pontoon segments which can roll and pitch freely. Further, the Conti vessel lacks an articulatable supporting framework to allow the span or height of the craft to be varied. The Conti patent discloses the use of four legs to support a central load by distributing it over the tops of the two pontoons. The present invention distributes a central load to 6 supporting legs, each resting on one of 6 sets of 3 supporting points within 16 of the 20 pontoon segments. These 16 freely pivoted or hinged points are centrally located below their respective centers of buoyancy in the pontoon segments and provide great stability to the craft.  
         [0008]     The present invention is symmetric end-to-end and has two cable supported slings for supporting of a vessel up to about 50 tons. The ability to vary both the height and span of the craft makes it much easier to sling a load. The compartment stored compactly under the control pod can be lowered and used for the transport of a 25 ton load or about 40 people.  
         [0009]     The present invention provides a new, flexible and safer method for the rescue of persons and distressed vessels. It is also a useful general transport vessel for transport of large awkward loads by water. The need for a craft of this type has been long standing and the related design problems have been examined by many persons for decades. What has been needed is a craft which has good speed over extended distances, excellent endurance in adverse weather conditions, flexibility in the support and salvage of distress vessels in high seas and the ability to rescue substantial numbers of persons. Until the present invention, no satisfactory method to resolve these problems has been available.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention is an apparatus, method and system for rescuing persons, up to 40 people, and distressed craft, up to about 50 tons displacement, at sea, day or night, under severe weather conditions. Severe weather conditions is defined as winds averaging over 60 knots and seas running over 40 foot. The present invention is a marine rescue vessel utilizing articulating pontoon segments for flotation. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a new, versatile and safer craft for marine use.  
         [0011]     It an objective of the present invention to provide an easier and safer means for a crew to rescue distressed vessels and persons at sea in foul weather.  
         [0012]     It is another objective to provide a craft having variable height and span for the support of a distressed vessel with one or more slings.  
         [0013]     It is a further objective to provide an improved apparatus, method and system for transporting goods and/or persons by water.  
         [0014]     The specific major innovations of the present invention are the use of (1) a central elevated control pod supported by a framework which rests on four sets of five linear articulated pontoon segments, (2) a supporting framework comprised of six articulatable legs which can be altered to change the height or width of the craft, (3) the bottom ends of the six supporting legs each of which are pivotally supported on the top of a three-cornered table with each of the three vertical legs of each table being pivotally or rotatably supported below the center of buoyancy of a pontoon segment, (4) pontoon segments which can pitch and/or or roll independently, (4) variable length limit struts which limit excessive upward or downward flexing of ends of the craft, (5) two independently winched cable supported slings for the support of a load, (6) a retractable platform stored under the control pod which can be lowered to create a compartment for transport of cargo or people.  
         [0015]     This device, method and system is new, useful and not obvious as the need has been long standing and the required technologies have been available for decades. These and other objects an advantages of the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and the applicability of the preferred embodiment as described here in and as illustrated in the several figures of the of the drawings.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the craft according to the present invention  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the craft  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the craft  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a partial end view of the craft  
         [0020]      FIG. 5A  shows a partial side view of a lowered bottom compartment  
         [0021]      FIGS. 5B, 5C  show a partial side view and an end view of a lowered bottom compartment  
         [0022]      FIGS. 5D-5F  show partial side views of the end of a bottom compartment  
         [0023]      FIGS. 6A, 6C  and  6 D show sectional end views of a pontoon segment  
         [0024]      FIG. 6B  shows a sectional side view of a pontoon segment  
         [0025]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show top and side views of a hinged junction between pontoon segments  
         [0026]      FIG. 8A  shows an expanded top view of a hinged junction between pontoon segments  
         [0027]      FIG. 8B  shows an end view of a bearing plate  
         [0028]      FIGS. 8C, 8D  show top and side views of a hinged and pivoted junction between pontoon segments  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a sectional side view of the control pod  
         [0030]      FIG. 10A  shows a top view of the control pod  
         [0031]      FIG. 10B  shows a bottom view of the retractable platform  
         [0032]      FIG. 11A  shows a side view of three supporting legs  
         [0033]      FIG. 11B  shows a sectional side view of a limit strut assembly  
         [0034]      FIGS. 12A-12C  show schematic top views of top struts, power struts and bottom struts  
         [0035]      FIGS. 13A, 13B  show a partial top view and a side view of an outer bottom brace and bottom strut  
         [0036]      FIGS. 14A, 14B  show a sectional top view and a sectional end view of a solenoid clamp assembly  
         [0037]      FIG. 14C  shows an outward view of a spring housing  
         [0038]      FIG. 15  shows a schematic top view of support cable routing and slings  
         [0039]      FIG. 16  shows a schematic top view of cables and slings supporting a load  
         [0040]      FIG. 17  shows a side view of a pulley assembly  
         [0041]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  show schematic perspective and side views of a cable roller guide and a support cable  
     
    
     SPECIFICATION  
     Best Method for Carrying out Invention  
       [0042]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is the apparatus, system and method described herein below for the rescue of people (at least 40 persons plus a crew of 4 or 5) and/or a medium sized craft, up to about 50 tons displacement, at sea, day or night, under severe weather conditions. Severe weather conditions is defined as winds averaging over 60 knots and seas running over 40 feet. The present invention, a marine vessel, also has considerable utility as a water transport means for awkward loads up to about 50 tons in adverse weather conditions. In less severe weather larger loads can be safely transported.  
         [0000]     General Description  
         [0043]     Four long pontoons, each roughly square in cross section (4.5 feet wide and 4.5 or 6.5 feet high), two on each side, support an articulatable upper framework. The framework has six supporting legs, three on each side, supporting a central elevated control pod. Each of the four long pontoons is comprised of five pontoon segments. The two center inner pontoon segments, one on each side, are 23 feet long. The eight end pontoon segments have slightly upturned prows and each is 16 feet long. Each of the other ten pontoon segments is 11 feet long. Adjacent pontoon segments pitch independently relative to each other about a low connecting horizontally hinged joint. The end pontoon segments and the pontoon segments in the two outer long pontoons also roll independently.  
         [0044]     The bottoms of the six supporting legs of the framework are each respectively pivotally and centrally attached to and supported by one of six rigid triangular three-legged tables, three on each side. The three table legs of each table are each supported from below the center of buoyancy of a supporting pontoon segment. Each middle inner pontoon segment supports two inboard legs of a smaller center table with hinged supports and an adjacent outboard middle pontoon segment pivotally supports the third leg. Two of the three legs of each of the four outer end tables are each pivotally supported by one of two end pontoon segments and the third leg is pivotally supported by an inboard inner pontoon segment. Four pontoon segments, two in each outer long pontoon, act as spacing elements and indirectly provide support for the craft.  
         [0045]     The span and height of the craft are varied by adjusting the shape of all of the six supporting legs by changing the lengths of two of the four struts which form each of them with hydraulic means. Winches are affixed to the inside of the control pod on the bottom. They allow two cable supported slings to lift and support a load under the control pod. The craft can sling and transport a loaded full sized ship/truck container.  
         [0046]     The craft can be structured to turn on its own axis (zero turning radius) and when engaged in harbor activities or in on-site rescue operations, it can have good mobility in any direction. It has a top speed of 45 knots in moderate weather and sea conditions, with a range of 2000 nautical miles. It is 82 feet long and the beam can be varied from 30 to 82 feet (an open span of 8 to 60 feet). The maximum working clearance under the craft is about 30 feet but is dependent on the weight and shape of the load. The displacement of the craft is about 200 tons with a dead weight of about 18 tons. Fully fueled (15 tons) with no load, the craft has a draft of about 9 inches. The effective footprint of the craft is about 1440 square feet. The joints between pontoon segments are sleeved to exclude water and to reduce drag. The bottom and sides of the pontoon segments are coated with teflon to further reduce drag.  
         [0047]     The articulating design of the pontoon segments allows them to efficiently follow the contours of the waves. The craft is symmetric end-to-end for stability in handing slung loads. The modular construction of the craft allows it to be disassembled and then transported by truck, aircraft and/or ship to another location for reassembly.  
         [0048]     The control pod is 24 feet long, 6.5 feet wide and 8 feet high. The top is extended upward another 6 feet to a horizontal top rack mounted directly above the control pod. The space between the top of the control pod and the top rack is enclosed. Twenty-four struts, six vertical sets of four, three sets on each side, form the supporting legs and are affixed to and are pivoted from the center of the control pod on each side. For each of the six vertical sets, the six top struts are affixed to and pivoted from the sides of the top rack. The control pod is also stabilized at each of its bottom corners by four outer braces, each of which extends outward and attaches to an outer bottom strut. The control pod has top, bottom and side access hatches. There is a hatch in the top of the top rack. Each end of the control pod is comprised of a clear curved lexan enclosure containing two outward facing seats for the crew and controls for operating the craft. A hoist is attached inside the control pod above the bottom hatch.  
         [0049]     An open compartment can be created for housing personnel or cargo by lowering a bottom platform, a flat plate, downward from the bottom of the control pod. It is supported by 14 pairs of cables attached to and extending downward at spaced intervals from each side of the control pod, 7 pairs on each side, to the sides of the bottom platform. The compartment thus created is enclosable at its ends, is 6.5 feet high and has the same footprint as the control pod (24 feet long by 6.5 feet wide). Webbing or canvas encloses the lower sides of the compartment which can house at least 40 persons. Two sets of horizontally articulatable hinged plates are attached to the bottom platform at each end and can enclose the ends or can be let down by ramp cables to create a walkway for level or ramp access to a dock or to a beach. The bottom platform has a bottom hatch congruent with the bottom hatch of the control pod.  
         [0050]     Propulsion is with tug type electric powered units, with water jet thrusters and/or with fuel driven engines with propellers. Preferably, four motor-generator sets are housed, one each, in each end of each of the two inner middle pontoon segments.  
         [0051]     It is to be understood that achieving the secure support of a distressed vessel of 50 tons displacement in foul weather at sea represents a major challenge and that transport of such a supported load to a safe anchorage in some cases would also require towing of the slung vessel and the supporting craft by a sea going tug. Two of these units should be able to effectively support a distressed 100 ton displacement vessel by providing support at the bow and stem.  
         [0052]     The present invention, termed the Sea Dog, provides a new, versatile and safer craft for the rescue of persons and small vessels in distress at sea and for the transport of material and persons in unusual maritime situations. Currently no craft of this type exists.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0053]     The pontoon craft disclosed by Ugo Conti, U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,439 (2005), provides considerable insight into the problems posed by basic pontoon design constraints. The entire Conti patent therefore is incorporated herein by reference as representative of the state of the art of this type of design. The Conti craft is comprised of two long parallel flexible cylindrical pontoons, each with a separate, horizontally rotatable attached section at the stern which houses a propulsion unit. The front of each pontoon is substantially upturned. A four legged flexible non-articulatable framework is centrally attached, two legs each, to the top of each of the two pontoons. This framework is attached to and centrally supports a small boat which houses the controls for the craft. The Conti craft has a fixed span and height.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0054]     Referring particularly to the figures wherein like-referenced numbers have been applied to like-parts throughout the description, the sea rescue craft, the Sea Dog, according to the present Invention being designated by the general reference number  1 . The preferred embodiment, as set out below, discloses specific dimensions and specifications for a craft of a given size, it being understood that some of the dimensions and specifications for a craft of this type, but of another size, may be different.  
         [0000]     General Configuration  
         [0055]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of said craft situated on water  3 , said craft  1  comprised a central elevatable control pod, indicated by the general reference number  4 , six articulatable legs, each indicated by the general reference number  5 , and twenty pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117 , said twenty pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  comprised of eight end pontoon segments  32 , four outboard spacer pontoon segments  57 , two inner middle pontoon segments  107 , two outer middle pontoon segments  112  and four inboard adjacent pontoon segments  117 , said pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  arranged in four rows of five pontoon segments each, said four rows, an inner row and an outer row on each side of said control pod  4 , each of said two inner rows indicated by the general reference number  31  and termed an inner long pontoon  31  and each of said two outer rows indicated by the general reference number  30  and termed an outer long pontoon  30 , each of said outer long pontoons  30  being parallel to, outboard of, centered on and separated from, by 2 feet, one of said inner long pontoons  31 , said five pontoon segments  32 ,  107 ,  117  comprising each of said inner long pontoons  31 , symmetrically from one end to the other, (1) a first end pontoon segment  32 , (2) a first adjacent pontoon segment  117 , (3) an inner middle pontoon segment  107 , (4) a second adjacent pontoon segment  117  and (5) a second end pontoon segment  32 , said five pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  112  comprising each of said outer long pontoons  30 , symmetrically from one end to the other, (1) a first end pontoon segment  32 , (2) a first spacer pontoon segment  57 , (3) an outer middle pontoon segment  112 , (4) a second spacer pontoon segment  57  and (5) a second end pontoon segment  32 , as shown in  FIG. 2  in a plan view of the craft  1 , in  FIG. 3  in a side view of the craft  1  and in  FIG. 4  in an end view.  
         [0056]     A floating object is defined to include, but not limited to, ships, boats, vessels, launches, rafts, barges, sculls, single and multiple hulled craft, inflatables, pontoons, outriggers and buoys and specially includes said pontoons  30 ,  31 . An articulated floating object is defined as at least three aligned floating objects, each pair of which is horizontally hinged together or pivotally and horizontally hinged together.  
         [0000]     Rectangular Pontoon Segments; Bottom, Sides, Ends  
         [0057]     Referring now to said twelve pontoon segments  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  each being comprised of a flat rectangular bottom surface  83 , said bottom surface  83  being 4.5 feet wide and, except for said two inner middle pontoon segments  112  being 11 feet long, said two inner middle pontoon segments each being 23 feet long, two parallel flat long vertical rectangular surfaces, termed side surfaces  84  respectively attached along their bottom edges to the outer edges of said bottom surface  83 , two parallel flat vertical surfaces, termed end surfaces  86 , respectively attached at their bottom edges, one at each end, to the ends of said bottom surface  83 , the outer vertical edges of each of said end surfaces  86  respectively affixed on either side to the vertical ends of said two vertical surfaces  86  as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6D ,  7 A,  7 B, the upper portions of said side surfaces  84  and end surfaces  86  of said pontoon segments  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  each further comprised as set out below.  
         [0000]     Inner Middle Pontoon Segments  
         [0058]     Said two rectangular inner middle pontoon segments  107  each further comprised with the top edges of each of said two ends  86  being horizontal and being 6.5 feet high, the top outer edges of each of said two sides  84  being 6.5 feet high at their outer ends and for a horizontal distance of 7 feet inward from their ends, said four top edges of said sides  84  then respectively angled downward and inward at 45 degrees to a level of 4.5 feet high, the center top edges of said two side surfaces  84  being horizontal, 5 feet long and 4.5 feet high, three flat rectangular horizontal top plates  85 , two of said top plates  85  being of equal size and each respectively affixed to the top edge of each of said end surfaces  86 , one on each end, and extending inward 7 feet and attached along its outer edges, on either side, to the top outer edges of said sides  84 , the third of three of said top plates  85  centrally affixed along its outer edges, on either side, to the top horizontal center edges of said sides  84 , sixteen flat rectangular sloping surfaces, each termed a facing plate  114 , the ends of each of two of said sixteen facing plates  114  affixed, on each side, to the downward angled edges of said vertical sides  84 , the top outer edge of each of said two facing plates  114  respectively affixed to the inner edge of said outer top surface  85  and the bottom inner edge of each of said facing plates  114  respectively affixed to the outer edge of said central third top surface  85  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  4 .  
         [0000]     Outer Middle Pontoon Segments  
         [0059]     Said two rectangular outer middle pontoon segments  112  each further comprised with the top edges of each of said ends  86  being horizontal and being 6.5 feet high, the top outer edges of each of said two sides  84  being 6.5 feet high at their outer ends and for a horizontal distance of 2 feet inward from their ends, said four top edges of said sides  84  then respectively angled downward and inward at 45 degrees to a level of 4.5 feet high, the center top edges of said two side surfaces  84  being horizontal, 3 feet long and 4.5 feet high, three flat rectangular horizontal top plates  85 , two of said top plates  85  being of equal size and each affixed to the top edge of each of said end surfaces  86 , one on each end and extending inward 2 feet and attached along its outer edges, on each side, to the top edges of said sides  84 , the third of three of said top plates  85  centrally affixed along its outer edges, on each side, to the top edges of said sides  84 , the ends of each of two of said sixteen facing plates  114  affixed, on each side, to the downward angled edges of said vertical sides  84 , the top outer edge of each of said two facing plates  114  respectively affixed to the inner edge of said outer top surface  85  and the bottom inner edge of each of said facing plates  114  respectively affixed to the outer edge of said central third top surface  85  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4 .  
         [0000]     Adjacent Pontoon Segments  
         [0060]     Said four rectangular adjacent pontoon segments  117  each further comprised with the top edges of each of said ends  86  being horizontal, the inner one being 6.5 feet high and the outer one being 4.5 feet high, the top inner edges of each of said two sides  84  being 6.5 feet high at their inner ends and for a horizontal distance of 2 feet outward from their ends, said two top inner edges of said sides  84  then respectively angled downward and inward at 45 degrees to a level of 4.5 feet high, the outer top edges of said two side surfaces  84  being 7 feet long, two flat rectangular horizontal top plates  85 , a first top plate  85  being 4.5 feet wide and 2 feet long and a second top plate  85  being 4.5 feet wide and 7 feet long, said first top plate  85  affixed along its inner edge to the top edge of the inner end of said end surface  86 , and extending outward 2 feet and attached, on each side, to the top inner edges of said sides  84 , said second top plate  85  affixed at its outer end to the top edge of said end surface  86  and extending inward 7 feet and attached, on each side, to the top outer edges of said sides  84 , the ends of one of said sixteen facing plates  114  affixed, on each side, to the downward angled edges of said vertical sides  84 , the top inner edge of said facing plate  114  affixed to the outer edge of said inner top surface  85  and the bottom inner edge of said facing plate  114  affixed to the inner edge of said outer top surface  85  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4 .  
         [0000]     Spacer Pontoon Segments  
         [0061]     Said four rectangular spacer pontoon segments  57  each further comprised with the top edges of each of said ends  86  being horizontal, the inner one being 6.5 feet high and the outer one being 4.5 feet high, the top inner edges of each of said two sides  84  being 6.5 feet high at their inner ends and for a horizontal distance of 7 feet outward from their ends, said two top inner edges of said sides  84  then respectively angled downward and inward at 45 degrees to a level of 4.5 feet high, the outer top edges of said two side surfaces  84  being 2 feet long, two flat rectangular horizontal top plates  85 , a first top plate  85  being 4.5 feet wide and 7 feet long and a second top plate  85  being 4.5 feet wide and 2 feet long, said first top plate  85  affixed along its inner edge to the top edge of the inner end of said end surface  86 , and extending outward 7 feet and attached, on each side, to the top inner edges of said sides  84 , said second top plate  85  affixed at its outer end to the top edge of said end surface  86  and extending inward 2 feet and attached, on each side, to the top outer edges of said sides  84 , the ends of one of said sixteen facing plates  114  affixed, on each side, to the downward angled edges of said vertical sides  84 , the top inner edge of said facing plate  114  affixed to the outer edge of said inner top surface  85  and the bottom inner edge of said facing plate  114  affixed to the inner edge of said outer top surface  85  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4 .  
         [0000]     End Pontoon Segments  
         [0062]     Referring now to said eight end pontoon segments  32 , each comprised of an outwardly and upwardly curved elongated bottom surface  83 , said bottom surface  83  being 4.5 feet wide at its inner end, said inner end being perpendicular to the long axis of said end pontoon  32  and extending horizontally with parallel sides outward 11 feet and then narrowing and tapering outward 5 feet and upward 6 feet forming the curved front and bottom of a prow  87 , a flat vertical end surface  86  perpendicularly attached at the inner bottom edge of said bottom surface  83 , two long vertical surfaces  84  their inner vertical edges 4.5 feet high and respectively attached to the vertical sides of said inner end surface  86 , extending outward in respective vertical planes, said vertical planes being parallel to each other, the top and bottom edges of each of said vertical planes being horizontal for 11 feet, and attached to, along their bottom edges, on each side, for 11 feet to the outer edges of said bottom surface  83 , said two vertical planes then curved upward and outward and attached smoothly and roundly for 5 feet to the outer surface of said bottom surface  83  forming the sides of said prow  87 , a horizontal top surface  85  affixed on its inner edge to the top of said vertical end surface  86  and extending outward, the sides of said top surface  85  being parallel and affixed to the tops of said two side surfaces  84  for 11 feet and then curving upward and outward for 5 feet and being affixed, on each side, to the tops of said two upward curved side surfaces  84  along their outer upward curved ends forming the top of said prow  87  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  4 .  
         [0063]     The exterior edges and corners of all of said pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  being rounded with at least a 2 inch radius.  
         [0000]     Pontoon Segment Connections  
         [0064]     The two inner pairs of pontoon segments  107 ,  117  of each of said two inner long pontoons  31  are flexibly attached to each other at their ends by hinging means, said hinging means comprised of hinges  26  affixed to flex about a horizontal axis along and 1 foot below the midpoint of the adjacent ends of each pair of said pontoon segments  107 ,  117 , the adjacent ends of said pontoon segments  107 ,  117  at said hinge  26  being one foot apart, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  
         [0065]     Twelve connections between the other pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  112 ,  117  flexibly joined both by hinging means, hinges  26 , as set out above, and with pivoting means  49 ,  50 ,  52 , the adjacent ends of each pair of said pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  112 ,  117  being 1.5 feet apart, said pivoting means  49 ,  50 ,  52  for these twelve connections comprised of a cylindrical extension  50 , in line with the central long axis, below the center of buoyancy of a first pontoon segment, centrally affixed to and extending from the end of said first pontoon segment and having a straight, round transverse hole  55  perpendicular to the center axis of said cylindrical extension  50 , said hole  55  at a distance from and parallel to the end of said first pontoon segment, a flat thin bearing plate  49  having a central circular opening  52 , a pair of hinges  26  horizontally affixed between said bearing plate  49 , one each, on either side of said circular opening  52  and the end of a second pontoon segment, a retaining pin  53  fitable through said hole  55 , said cylindrical extension  50  passing through said opening  52  and rotatably secured by said retaining pin  53 , said pivoting means  49 ,  50 ,  52  permitting each of said twelve pairs of adjacent pontoons  32 ,  57 ,  112 ,  117  to pitch and roll independently as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8D  for the connection between two typical pontoon segments  32 ,  57 , the maximum downward flexing angle  127  between the joined ends  86  of two pontoon segments  34 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  being 20 degrees as shown in  FIGS. 7B, 8D .  
         [0066]     Sixteen water tight flexible and/or elastic cylindrical surfaces, each termed a sleeve  27 , the open ends circumferentially and flexibly sealed, attached to and surrounding the proximate ends  86  of each pair of hinged pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  reducing drag and increasing the displacement of the craft  1 , as shown schematically in  FIG. 7A, 7B ,  8 C,  8 D, said sleeves  27  being pleated on their upper surfaces (not shown).  
         [0000]     Climbup Means and Telfon Coatings  
         [0067]     Climbup means, comprised of at least one vertical series of horizontal hand and foot holds  82 , each of said hand and foot holds comprised of shallow indentations into, but not penetrating, each side of each of said pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117 , as shown schematically in  FIG. 6B .  
         [0068]     Said bottoms  83  and sides  84  of said twenty pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  are coated with a thin layer of teflon  81  reducing drag as shown schematically in  FIGS. 6A-6D ,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A,  8 C,  8 D.  
         [0000]     Table Lea Pivots and Hinges  
         [0069]     Fourteen conical depressions  14 , each having an upper circular base 3 feet in diameter, one each centered in the top  85  of each of said four adjacent pontoon segments  117 , one each centered on the top  85  of each of said two outer middle pontoon segments  112 , on the top  85  of each of said two Inner middle pontoon segments  107 , and one each centered 6.5 feet from said inner end  86  on the top  85  of each end pontoon segment  32 , each of said fourteen conical depressions  14  respectively extending vertically downward from each of said tops  85  respectively to a pivot  15  pivotally affixed and supported within said pontoon segment  32 ,  112 ,  117 , by support means (not shown) below the center of buoyancy of its respective pontoon segment  32 ,  112 ,  117 , two pairs of hinge slots  111  each 3 feet long and 5 inches wide, a pair of said hinge slots  111  being parallel, centered on each other and spaced apart 4.5 feet, the long axes of said pair of hinge slots  111  centered on said top  85  and perpendicular to the length of each of said inner middle pontoon segments  107  and extending outboard, each of said hinge slots  111  each respectively tapered downward from the top  85  to a slot hinge  119 , each of said pair of slot hinges  119  respectively affixed within each of said inner middle pontoon segments  107  by affixing means (not shown) below the center of buoyancy, said depths of said slot hinges  119  and of said conical depressions  14  from their respective tops  85  all being equal as shown generally in  FIGS. 6A-6D . In each of said FIGS.  6 A-D, motion arrows  110  indicate movement of one of said table legs  13 .  
         [0070]     Six triangular tables  12 ,  140 , four end tables  12  and two center tables  140 , each of said tables  12 ,  140  comprised of a flat horizontal triangular plate  91  and three vertical straight table legs  13 , each of said table legs  13  respectively attached to and extending downward from said tops  85  each of said three corners of said table  12 ,  140 , the top  91  of each of said two center tables  140  being comprised of an isosceles triangle, the base of said isosceles triangle being 4.5 feet long and the length of said isoceles triangle being 6.5 feet long, the base of each of said center tables  140  respectively being parallel to the long axis of said inner middle pontoon segments  107  and each of said corners of said base being respectively centered over said hinge slots  111  and slot hinges  119 , said length of said isoceles triangle extending centrally and horizontally outboard perpendicular to the long axis of said inner middle pontoon segment  107 , the third corner of said top  91  centered over said conical depression  14  in said top  85  of said outer middle pontoon segment  112 , the bottom of said legs  13  of said four end tables  12  and of said two outboard legs  13  of said two center tables  140  each respectively rotatably and pivotally affixed to said pivots  15  in said pontoon segments  32 ,  112 ,  117  and the bottoms of each of said four inboard legs  13  of each of said two center tables  140  respectively affixed and hinged to said slot hinges  119 , whereby said fourteen table legs  13  affixed to said pivots  15  respectively freely pivot and rotate within said conical depressions  14  and said four table legs  13  respectively affixed to said slot hinges  119  respectively freely move laterally within each of said hinge slots  111 .  
         [0000]     Pivot Bags and Slot Sleeves  
         [0071]     Fourteen flexible enclosures, each termed a pivot bag, indicated by the general reference number  73 , each of said pivot bags  73  contained in one of said fourteen conical depressions  14 , one each in the top  85  of said fourteen pontoon segments  32 ,  112 ,  117 , and each comprised of a thin conical layer  44  congruent with and in contact with the inner surface said conical depression  14  and concentrically affixed at its bottom end to an upright tubular extension  43 , said tubular extension  43  extending upward from said pivot  15  and surrounding said pivoted table leg  13  to the top  85  of each of said pontoon segments  32 ,  112 ,  117 , a continuous series of at least one, but preferably two or more concentric bellows  45 , said two or more bellows  45  progressively smaller toward the topmost bellows  45 , the outer lower circular edge of the lowest bellows  45  extended peripherally and affixed to the circular top edge of said conical layer  44 , the inner circular top edge of said bellows  45  extending concentrically inward to and surrounding the upper portion of said table leg  13  proximate to the bottom of said table  12  and concentrically affixed to the top of said tubular extension  43 , forming a continuous flexible enclosed toroidal volume within said conical depression  14 , the top circular edge of said conical layer  44  extending peripherally a short distance, an extension  46 , the bottom surface of said extension  46  affixed to the top  85  of said pontoon segment  32 ,  112 ,  117  as shown in  FIG. 6B .  
         [0072]     Four triangular slot sleeves indicated by the general reference number  113 , one each contained in each of said four hinge slots  111  and each comprised of two triangular pieces, termed sides  141 , the tops of said two pieces being horizontal forming a narrow opening.  95 , the outer lower edges of said sides  141  joined and at their bottom ends concentrically terminating at and around said slot hinge  119 , the tops of each of said two pieces  141  extending outward a short distance, an extension  46 , the bottom surface of each of said extensions  46  affixed to the top  85  of said pontoon segment  107  as shown in  FIG. 6D .  
         [0000]     Propulsion Means  
         [0073]     At least one pair of propulsion means  60  mounted in a pair of pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  on symmetrically opposing sides of the craft  1  in either or both of said long pontoons  30 ,  31 , said at least one pair of propulsion means  60  comprised of a water jet thrust means (not shown) and/or a horizontally rotatable cowelled electric motor driven propeller means (not shown) and/or an engine driven propeller (not shown), said propulsion means  60  creating controllable thrust at an end, below and/or on either or both sides of said at least one pair of pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  as shown schematically in  FIGS. 6A, 6C . As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, the dimensions and specifications of said long pontoons  30 ,  31  may require modification to accommodate said propulsion means  60 . The preferred arrangement is to have two motor-generator units  138  (not shown) in each inner base pontoon segment  10 , one each on either side of said slot hinges  119 , said motor-generator units  116  providing onboard power and power for propulsion using electric motor driven props (not shown). Fuel bags (not shown) are contained in some or all of said pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117 .  
         [0000]     Control Pod  
         [0074]     Said control pod  4 , an enclosure comprised of a first horizontal rectangular plate, termed a bottom plate  38 , twenty-four feet long and 6.5 feet wide, two parallel vertical plates, termed side plates  39 , twelve feet long and eight feet high and linearly tapered at their upper outer ends down to seven feet in height from a horizontal inset of two feet from each end, the lower edges of said two vertical plates  39  centered on and affixed to either side of said bottom plate  38 , a second horizontal plate, termed the top plate  40 , parallel to and centered above said bottom plate  38 , said top plate  40  being 6.5 feet wide and eight feet long, said top plate  40  centrally affixed outboard, on either side, to the upper edges of said two vertical plates  39 , two flat rectangular sloping plates, termed end plates  61 , 6.5 feet long and 2.83 feet wide, the inner edge of each of said end plates  61  affixed to an outer edge of said top plate  40  and extending downward and outward, the outboard edges of each of said end plates  61  respectively affixed to the sloping top edges of said side plates  39 , two clear enclosing surfaces indicated by the general reference number  41 , one on each end of said control pod  4 , each of said enclosing surfaces  41  comprised of three clear thin pieces, ½ inch thick lexan, said three pieces comprised of a clear curved front piece  62  and two vertical triangular parallel clear sides pieces  64 , said front piece  62 , a inverted wing foil shape, affixed along and extending the horizontal plane of said lower outer edge of said bottom plate  38  outward and recursively back and upward toward the top center of said control pod  4  terminating in a horizontal edge perpendicular to the long axis of said control pod  4  and affixed to the outer horizontal edge of said end plate  61 , said two side pieces  64 , affixed along their bottom horizontal edges to the outer edge of said bottom plate  38  on each side and affixed, on each side, along their inner vertical edges to the vertical outer edge of said side plate  39 , the outer upper edge of each clear side plate  64  smoothly and continuously joining the outer edges of said front piece  38  on each side, a rigid cylindrical tube, termed the top cylinder  79 , having horizontal parallel ends perpendicular to its vertical central axis, the cross section of said top cylinder  79  being elliptical, the long axis of said top cylinder  79  lying centered along and parallel to the length of said control pod  4 , the bottom end of said top cylinder  79  being centrally affixed to said top plate  40 , said cylindrical tube  79  being 6 feet high and the axes of said elliptical cross section being 8 feet long by 5 feet wide, a flat rigid rectangular plate, termed the top rack  90 , 6.5 feet wide and 12 feet long being centrally affixed to the top of said top cylinder  79 , at least one access hatch or door  47  in said top plate  40  and in said top rack  90 , at least one access hatch or door  47  in each of said four side pieces  64 , at least one hatch or door  47  in said bottom plate  38 , a hoist  48  affixed to the bottom of said top plate  40  centered over said at least one access hatch or door  47  in said bottom plate  38 , said at least one bottom central access hatch  47  being round and 3 feet in diameter, as shown schematically in  FIG. 10B , 28 holes  108  spaced apart and along the outer edges of said bottom plate  38 , fourteen on each side, two impact guards  88  congruent to and proximate to each of said Texan surfaces  41 , each of said guards  88  comprised of a rigid structure congruent with and attached over each of said front pieces  62  and said two side pieces  64 , said structure comprised of a first rigid member extending outward and upward from the bottom center outer edge of said bottom plate  38  over said front piece  62  and affixed at its inner upper end to the front center of said end plate  61  and of a second rigid member extending outward horizontally from the middle of each of the outer vertical edges of said side plates  39  and then extending horizontally inward over said front piece  62  and affixed to said first rigid member as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  4 ,  9 ,  13 A,  13 B,  15 ,  28  holes  98  spaced apart and along the outer edges of said bottom plate  38 , fourteen on each side from one corner to the other as shown in  FIG. 5A , four rigid loops, termed ramp cable holes  123 , one each affixed at each lower exterior corner of said bottom plate  38  as shown in  FIG. 5A .  
         [0075]     Eight winches  9 , respectively controllably winching the ends of eight load cables  7 , ½ inch diameter stainless steel cables as shown schematically in  FIG. 15 , said eight winches  9  affixed to the top of said bottom plate  28  inside said control pod  4 , three cable securement means  59  centrally affixed to the top inside surface of said bottom plate  38 , one affixed in the center and the other two outward of the two outer winches  9  on each side, sixteen openings  76 , eight spaced apart on and through the lower side of each of said side plates  39 , four of said eight openings on each side respectively adjacent to each of said four winches  9  and two of said eight openings on each side respectively adjacent to said two outward cable securement means  59  and two of said eight openings on each side adjacent to said center cable securement means  59  as shown schematically in  FIG. 15 , four cable roller guides respectively adjacent to each of said four winches  9  one each in each of said four openings  76  adjacent to said winches  9 , each of said roller guides comprised of two pairs of rollers, each pair proximate to, displaced apart and at right angles to the other pair and each in one of said openings  76  as shown schematically in  FIGS. 15, 18A ,  18 B, said cable roller guides  77  each supporting and guiding one of said support cables  7 , eight cable rests  115 , four on each side of said control pod  4 , each rest  115  comprised of a cube shaped block smoothly recessed with a groove on top by ½ inch and said groove oriented outward, one each in one of said four openings on each side and adjacent to said cable securement means  59 , two centrally and one each outward of each of said outer roller guides  77  as shown schematically in  FIG. 15 , a horizontal rectangular rigid plate, termed a walk-on plate  132 , 6.5 feet wide and 12 feet long, parallel to and centered 1.5 feet above said bottom plate  38  and above and proximate to said winches  9  and affixed on its outer edges to the inside of each of said side plates  39 , at least one hatch  47  in said walk-on plate  132 , said at last one hatch  47  congruent with and centered on said hatch  47  in said bottom plate  38 , eight hatches  47  (not shown) in said walk-on plate  132 , one each centered over each of said winches  9 , two pairs of centered outward facing seats  147  (not shown), two at each end of said control pod  4  within said clear enclosure  41 .  
         [0000]     Lower Retractable Compartment  
         [0076]     A bottom compartment indicated by the general reference number  97  comprised of a rectangular plate, a bottom platform  28 , 6.5 feet by 24 feet, contiguous with and just below said bottom plate  38 ,  14  pairs of holes  108  spaced apart and along the outer edges of said platform  28 ,  14  on each side from one corner to the other, at each end of said retractable bottom platform  28 ,  14  pairs of platform cables  29 , ⅜th inch diameter stainless steel cable, seven pairs on each side of said platform  28 , each of said pairs passing its ends upward, on each side, through said 7 pairs of holes  108 , along the sides of said platform  28 , the middle of each of said pair of cables  29  centered at and below said platform  28  between each pair of said holes  108  and, for each of said cables  29 , its ends extending upward vertically through said corresponding holes  98  in and along the outer edges of said bottom plate  38 , swages  122 , one each affixed to each of said cable  29  ends just above and at the top of said bottom plate  38  at and above each of said holes  98 , said swages  122  limiting the downward movement of said cables  29  through said holes  98  and with 6.5 feet of free length for each cable  29  between said bottom plate  38  and said platform  28 , four interior pairs of said cables  29 , two pairs on each side with one pair on either side of the central pair, retractable by retracting means  92  as shown schematically in  FIG. 5A , each of said four retracting means  92  affixed to the top of said bottom plate  38 , four outer pairs of said cables  29 , one pair at each corner of said bottom plate and respectively passing upward through said holes and manually securable within said control pod  4  by manual cable securing means  120  shown schematically in  FIG. 5A , two flat rectangular plates, each termed a lower end plate  37 , being 6.5 feet wide by 3.5 feet, each affixed and rotatably hinged  33  about its lower horizontal edge to an one end of said retractable bottom platform  28 , and said lower end plate  37  rotatably hinged  33  about a horizontal axis along its upper edge to one of two second rectangular plates, each termed an upper end plate  36 , being 6.5 feet wide by 3.5 feet, along its lower edge, said upper end plate  36  removably attached by manual affixing means  121  (not shown) at its upper edge to the outer edge of said bottom plate  38 , said upper end plate  36  and said lower end plate  37  foldable outwardly or inwardly and when folded inwardly, fitting compactly between said bottom plate  38  and said platform  28  when said platform  28  is elevated as shown in  FIG. 5D , four pairs of ramp cable  124 ,  125 , ⅜ inch diameter stainless steel cable, each of said pairs comprised of one long ramp cable  124  and one short ramp cable  125 , two pairs at each end of said bottom compartment  97 , one pair affixed at each corner on each side, one end of said long ramp cable  124  of a pair affixed to the top outer corner of said upper end plate  36  and one end of said short ramp cable  125  of said pair affixed to the bottom outer corner of said upper end plate  36  at the outboard end of said hinge  33  between said top plate  36  and said bottom plate  37 , said pair of ramp cables  124 ,  125  passing upward and through a proximate rigid loop  123 , at least one swage  122  (not shown) affixed to each of said cables  124 ,  125  above said loop  123  and securing said cables  124 ,  125  from outward movement with 7.53 feet of free length for said short ramp cable and 8.824 feet of free length for said short ramp cable outward of said loop  123 , said free lengths retractably securable through said rigid loops  123  below said bottom plate  38  by manual securing means  120  shown schematically in  FIG. 5F , whereby when said platform  28  is lowered and when said upper end plate  36  is released from said bottom plate  38  by said manual securing means  121  and when said cables  124 ,  125  are extended by releasing said manual securing means  120 , said cables  124 ,  125  are restrained from further outward movement by said swages  122 , said ramp cables  124 ,  125  supporting said upper end plate  36  and said lower end plate  37 , said plates  36 ,  37  in an extended outward level position, as shown in  FIGS. 5F, 10B , said middle pair of cables  29  and said two pairs of cables  29 , one each inward of said outer pairs at each end of said bottom compartment  97 , a total of three pairs of said cables  29 ,  126  on each side, said free lengths of 6 feet each being non-retractable and loose within and between said bottom plate  38  and said bottom platform  28  when said bottom platform  28  is elevated, webbing or canvas coverings  63  affixed to the lower half of said 14 platform cables  29  on each side enclosing the lower half of the open sides of said partially enclosed space as shown in  FIGS. 5A, 5B ,  5 E,  5 F, a hatch  47  in said bottom platform  38  congruent with said hatch  47  in said bottom plate  28  as shown in  FIG. 10B , a rope ladder  133  affixed at and extending downward from one side of said hatch  47  in said bottom plate  38  to said bottom platform  28  as shown in  FIG. 5A .  
         [0000]     Control Pod Pivots  
         [0077]     Twelve pivot mount extensions  69 , each comprised of a cube four inches on a side, the exposed edges of said extensions  69  being rounded, four of said extensions  69  mounted outboard, two on each side, to said top rack  90  at the outer corners, four of said extensions  69  mounted outboard, two on each side, to the lower corners of said side plate  39 , four of said extensions  69  mounted outboard, two on each side, each 4 inches above said extensions mounted in the lower corners of said side plate  39 , six bottom pivots  66 , three on each side of said side plate  39 , one each of said three bottom pivots  66  affixed, facing outward, to the outward side of each of said bottom corner extensions  69  and the third of said bottom pivots  66  affixed, facing outboard, to said side plate  39  five inches forward of the middle of said side plate  39  and in line with and between said two bottom corner extensions  69 , six power pivots  67 , three on each side of said side plate  39 , one each of said three power pivots  67  affixed, facing outward, to the outward side of each of said upper extensions  69  and the third of said power pivots  67  affixed, facing outboard, to said side plate  39  five inches forward of the middle of said side plate  39  and in line with and between said two upper extensions  69  to which said two power pivots  67  are respectively affixed, six top pivots  17 , three on each side of said top rack  90 , one each of said three top pivots  17  affixed, facing outward, to the outward side of each of said extensions  69  and the third of said top pivots  17  affixed, facing outboard, five inches forward of the middle of the side of said top rack  90  and in line with and between said two extensions  69 , to said top rack  90 , four middle brace pivots  94 , one each affixed, facing outboard, on each side to said side plate  39  inward by 5 inches of said rear bottom corner extension  69  and one each affixed, facing outboard, on each side to said top rack  90  inward by 5 inches of said rear corner extension  69 , four outer brace pivots  24 , one each affixed, facing outboard, on each corner of said bottom plate  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 9, 10A ,  10 B,  13 A.  
         [0000]     Articulatable Support Legs  
         [0078]     Said four outer supporting legs  5 , two on each side, one each respectively affixed to and supported by said pivoting means  16  on the top  91  of each of said four end tables  12  and said two middle supporting legs  5 , one on each side, one each respectively affixed to and supported by said pivoting means  16  on the top  91  of each of said two center tables  140 , each of said six supporting legs  5  comprised of a first rigid member pivotably and rotatably affixed to and angled upward from said pivot  16 , termed a vertical strut  20  and being 23 feet high, the upper end of said vertical strut  20  rotatably connected by hinged affixing means, termed a knee hinge  18 , to a second rigid member, termed a top strut  21 , said top strut  21  respectively pivotally connected at its inner end to one of said top pivots  17 , said top strut  21  of each of said two middle legs  5  being 19.0 feet long and each of said top struts  21  of each of said four outer legs  5  being 25.8 feet long as shown in  FIGS. 4, 10A ,  10 B,  12 A, each of said legs  5  further comprised of a third rigid variable length member, termed a bottom strut  25 , adjustable from a minimum length of 19 feet to a maximum length of 24 feet by hydraulic adjusting means  75  as shown schematically in  FIG. 4 , the outer end of each of said six bottom struts  25  respectively pivotably and rotatably affixed inboard seven feet below their respective knee hinges  18  to said vertical struts  20 , at a pivot  66 , each of the inboard ends of said bottom struts  25  respectively pivotally and rotatably affixed to said inboard pivot  66  as shown in  FIGS. 4, 10A ,  10 B,  12 C, each of said legs  5  further comprised of a fourth variable length member, termed a power strut  19 , adjustable from a minimum length of 18 feet to a maximum of 25 feet by hydraulic means  75  for each of said two center legs and adjustable from a minimum length of 24 feet to a maximum length of 29 feet by hydraulic means  75  for each of the four outer legs  5 , each of said power struts  19  respectively pivotally and rotatably affixed at its outboard end six inches below said knee hinge  18  to the inboard surface of said vertical strut  20  at said pivot  67  and respectively pivotally and rotatably affixed at its inboard end to said inboard pivot  67 , as shown by  FIGS. 4, 10A ,  10 B,  12 B, variations in the length of said power struts  19  and/or said bottom struts  25  altering the height of the control pod  4  and/or the span of the craft  1 , six springs  72 , one each affixed at the outboard end of each of said six bottom struts  25  dampening lengthwise motion of each of said bottom struts  25  by plus or minus 4.5 inches, six springs  72 , one each affixed at the inboard end of each of said six power struts  19 , respectively permitting lengthwise extension or contraction of each of said power struts, while under load, by at least plus or minus two feet.  
         [0079]     Four middle braces  42 , each comprised of a round straight rigid shaft, two of said middle braces  42 , one each respectively pivotally affixed at its inboard end to said pivot  94  on each side of said top rack  90  and pivotally affixed at its outboard end to said middle top strut  21  six feet from the inboard end of said middle top strut  21 , and two of said middle braces  42 , one each respectively pivotally affixed at its inboard end to said pivot  94  on each side of said side plate  39  and pivotally affixed at its outboard end to a pivoting means  94  to said middle bottom strut  25  six feet from the inboard end of said bottom top strut  25 , four dampening springs  72 , one each at the inboard end of each of said middle braces at said pivoting means  94  dampening lengthwise motion of each of said middle braces  42  by plus or minus 4.5 inches as shown schematically in  FIGS. 4, 10A ,  10 B,  12 A,  12 C.  
         [0080]     Four outer braces  34 , each comprised of a round straight rigid shaft, one each pivotally affixed at each of the bottom corners of said bottom plate  38  at one of said corner pivots  24 , each of said outer braces  34  extending horizontally outboard when said bottom struts  25  are level, four openings, each termed bottom strut openings  93 , each of said openings  93  respectively centrally and horizontally penetrating the width of each of said four outer bottom struts  25 , the axis of each of said openings  93  perpendicular to the long axis of said outer bottom strut  25  and said axis being six feet outward from said outer bottom struts  25  inner point of attachment at said inboard pivot  66 , each of said openings  93  respectively centrally tapered outboard through said outer bottom struts  25 , four axial pivots indicated by the general reference number  100  shown schematically in  FIGS. 13A, 13B ,  14 A, one each respectively secured to each of said outer bottom struts  25  within, and at the inner surface of, each of said openings  93 , each of said axial pivots  100  comprised of a spherical base  144  centrally mounted within said opening  93 , a spherical bearing  145  pivotably contained within said spherical base  144  and concentrically extending outboard, a round hole  146  centrally penetrating said spherical bearing  145 , said hole  146  surrounding and slidably supporting said outer brace  34 , each of said outer braces  34  respectively passing through one of said holes  146  and through said outer bottom strut  25 , a clamp assembly indicated by the general reference number  54  comprised of a cylindrical enclosure, termed a spring housing  103 , said spring housing affixed on its inboard end to a first circular plate  142  and affixed on its outboard end to a second circular plate  143 , said plates  142 ,  143  each having a centered hole  2  therein, said holes  2  in said plates  142 ,  143  concentrically surrounding said outer bottom strut  34  and said inner plate  142  affixed to the outer end of said spherical bearing  145 , said hole  2  in said inner plate  142  being continuous with said hole  146  in said spherical bearing  145 , a lengthwise slot  74  in said spring housing  103  parallel to said outer brace  34 , an enclosure, termed a clamp housing  106 , said damp housing  106  contained within said spring housing  103 , said clamp housing  106  being cube shaped and comprised of six sides, two opposing sides  135  of said clamp housing  106  being flat and parallel, two round axially centered holes  136  through said opposite sides  135  of said clamp housing  106 , said holes  136  concentrically surrounding said outer brace  34 , the inner surface of the outer side of said clamp housing  106 , termed a curved side  137 , affixed to and connecting each of said two opposing sides  135  and in contact with the outer half of said outer brace  34  within said clamp housing  106 , the interior of said clamp housing  106  proximally enlarged inner and proximal side, termed the interior side  138 , connecting and affixed to each of said two opposing sides  135 , a centered hole  2  perpendicular to the axis of said outer brace  34  in said interior side  138 , a short rigid cylindrically curved plate  104 , within said clamp housing  106 , the inner surface of said plate  104  in contact with and congruent to the inner side of said outer brace  34  opposite to said curved side  137 , the center of the outer surface of said curved plate  104  centrally proximate to said hole  2  in said interior side  138 , a solenoid shaft  105  affixed perpendicularly and centrally to said outer side of said curved plate  104  and passing outward through said hole  2 , a spring  102  positioned around said shaft  105  inside said housing clamp  106  between the outside of said curved plate  104  and the inside of said interior side  138 , said spring  102  by compressive means forcing said curved plate  104  against said outer brace  34 , said outer brace  34  thereby forced against and restrained from lateral motion by pressure contact with the interior of said housing clamp  106 , a solenoid  96  affixed to the exterior of said clamp housing  106  around said shaft  105 , whereby said shaft  105  is displaced outward from said clamp housing  106  when said solenoid  96  is activated thereby compressing said spring  102  and releasing the pressure on said curved plate  104  and on said outer brace  34 , said solenoid  96  fitting within said slot  74  and free to move therein parallel to the axis of said bottom outer strut  34  as shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C , said axial pivot  100  further comprised of two washers  80 , each surrounding said outer brace  34  and resting on either side of the outside of said clamp housing  106 , two springs  72 , one each positioned concentrically around said outer brace  34  on either side of said clamp housing  106  outward of each of said washers  60 , the inner end of said inboard spring  72  resting against the inside of said inner end  142  and the outer end of said outboard spring  72  resting against the inside of said outer end  143  as shown in  FIG. 14A , said two springs  72  by compression or extension permitting movement of said outer brace  34  through said spherical bearing  145  by plus or minus 4.5 inches, electrical leads  134  from said solenoid  96  conveyed from and through said clamp housing  106  through said slot  74  as shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C , motion arrow  110  in  FIG. 13A  showing the direction of motion of one of said outer bottom struts  25  relative to said outer brace  34 , motion arrows  110  in  FIG. 14A  showing relative motion of said clamp housing  106  with regard to said spring housing  103  and to said outer brace  34 .  
         [0081]     Four long straight horizontal rigid members each 24 feet long, termed side struts  22 , two on each side of said control pod  4 , each respectively pivotally affixed at each end by a side strut pivot  58  affixed on the sides of and seven feet below the top of each of said vertical  11  struts  20 , said middle vertical strut  20  supporting said pivotal affixing means on both sides, said two side struts  35  on each side being aligned horizontally and being parallel to said long pontoons  30 ,  31  and to the long axis of said control pod  4  as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  11 A.  
         [0082]     Four long straight rigid members, termed limit struts  51 , two on each side of said control pod  4 , each of said two struts  51  respectively pivotally affixed at each end by said pivotal affixing means  129  on either side of said middle vertical strut  20  each 7.5 feet below the top of said middle vertical strut  20 , said two struts  51  extending outward and downward away from said middle strut  20 , a limit strut assembly indicated by the general reference number  35 , said assembly  35  comprised of a long rigid round cylinder  109 , the ends of said cylinder  109  terminating perpendicular to the axis of said cylinder  109 , said cylinder  109  constricted at one end by an attached rigid annular ring  99 , said annular ring  99  centrally affixed to the interior of the upper end of said cylinder  109 , a rigid circular plate  118  affixed to periphery of the lower end of said cylinder  109 , a cone  68 , said cone  68  affixed peripherally affixed to the exterior periphery of said plate  118  and extending diagonally downward and pivotally affixed to said pivot  129  at the bottom of and on the inside of the proximate outer vertical strut  20  as shown in  FIG. 11A , a spring  72  centrally affixed to the inside of said plate  118  and extending concentrically inward and upward within said cylinder  109  and at its distal end affixed within said cylinder  109  to the lower end of a cylindrical guide  101 , said cylindrical guide  101  comprised of a cylinder, said cylindrical guide  101  inside of, concentric with and congruent to the interior of said cylinder  109 , the lower end of said limit strut  51  centrally and axially affixed to the upper end of said cylindrical guide  101  inside said cylinder  109  a distance of three feet from said constriction  99  within said cylinder  109 , when said craft  1  is level, whereby when said craft  1  is level, the compressive force of said spring  72  between said plate  118  and said limit strut  51  then being 200 pounds and when the center of said craft  1  is elevated relative to said end pontoon segments  32 , said spring  72  is extended by 3.8 feet, said guide  101  contacting and restrained by the inside of said constriction  99 , the tension in said spring  72  then having linearly increased with said displacement to a force of 800 pounds, and further, when the center of said craft  1  is depressed relative to said end pontoon segments  32 , said spring  72  is completely compressed by 3.0 feet, by a force of 300 pounds as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 ,  11 B, eight attachment means  128 , one each for affixing a knee pulley  10 , four on each side, each of said attachment means  128 , adjacent and slightly below each of said pivots  66  on said vertical struts  20 , two adjacent attachment means  128  on said center vertical strut  20  and one each on each outer vertical strut  20  as shown schematically in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0083]     Said struts  19 ,  21 ,  22 ,  25 ,  51  preferably being made of titanium. Said vertical struts  20  and said bottom struts  25  are supported by said braces  42 ,  34  and are thicker  56  at these points of support as shown in  FIGS. 12A, 12C .  
         [0000]     Winches, Cables and Slings  
         [0084]     Eight attachment points  128 , one each of said four outer vertical struts  20 , inboard and seven feet below each knee hinge  18  and two each on each of said inner vertical struts  20  inboard and adjacent to each other seven feet below each knee hinge  18 , eight knee pulleys  10 , one each respectively secured to one of said attachment points  128 , each of said knee pulleys comprised of an 18 inch diameter double sheaved pulleys, four pulley assemblies each indicated by the general reference number  11  and each comprised of a flat rectangular plate, a pulley base  78 , said pulley base  78  bent about the center of its long axis forming a U-shaped piece, the ends of said U-shaped piece  78  being parallel and separated by slightly more than the thickness of a single pulley sheave  79 , the bottom of said U-shaped piece being oriented horizontally as shown in  FIG. 17 , two of said sheaves  79 , 18 inches in diameter, lying in the same plane, parallel, horizontally adjacent to each other and rotatably secured to and within said pulley base  78  between said two parallel ends of said U-shaped piece  78  by one of two shafts, each termed a pulley axle  80 , one each axially centered in and rotatably securing one of said two sheaves  79 , two long flexible flat strong strips, each termed a single sling  8 , said rearward sling further comprised of two short slings, each termed a rear single sling  8 , four securing and releasing attachment means, termed a sling adjuster and release  65 , each of said releases  65  securing, adjusting or releasing an end of one of said four single slings  8 , the top of each of said releases  65  respectively affixed to the bottom of one of said four pulley bases  78  as shown schematically in  FIG. 15, 16 ,  17 , two parallel, adjacent central rear slings  131  spaced apart and held apart outboard, on each side, toward their ends by one of two rigid members, each termed a spacer  71 , each of said spacers  71  attached centrally parallel to the length of said craft  1  inboard to the outboard ends of said two central slings  8 , on each side, by attaching means (not shown), the two outboard ends of each of said central slings  131 , on each side, secured to one of two rings, each termed a sling ring  70 , each of said sling rings  70  further secured further outboard, one on each side, to one of said single rear slings  8 , said four load cables  7 , the eight free ends respectively and adjustably secured by one of said eight winches  9 , four on each side, each of said eight cables  7  deploying respectively outward through one of said openings  76  through one sheave of two sheaves of one of said knee pulleys  10 , through one sheave of said pulley assembly  11  back through the other sheave of said double sheaved knee pulley  10 , through and resting on one of said cable rests  115  and extending inward to and secured by one of said securing means  59 , each sheave of each of said four pulley assemblies  11  supported by a doubled cable  7 , each doubled cable  7  respectively supported by an outer knee pulley  10  and by a middle knee pulley  10 , said single forward sling  8  and said two central slings  131  supporting a load  6 , as shown in  FIGS. 4, 16 .  
         [0000]     Controls  
         [0085]     Controls (not shown) preferably within said control pod and accessible by at least one person seated, in said seating means  147  (not shown), at either end of said control pod  4  to vary the speed and direction of thrust of said propulsion means  60 , controls (not shown) within or external to said control pod  4  to vary the height and span of said supporting legs  5  by activating said solenoids  96  and varying the length of said power struts  19  and/or said bottom struts  25 , controls (not shown) to vary the length of said load cables  7  with said winches  9 , controls (not shown) to operate said hoist  48 , manual and electrical controls as shown schematically in  FIG. 5A  to raise or lower said bottom platform  28  by extending or retracting said retractable support cables  29 , controls (not shown) to release, extend or shorten the ends of a sling  8  from at least one of said pulley assemblies  11  with said sling release  65  shown schematically in  FIGS. 10A-10C  and controls (not shown) to control lighting means within and external to said control pod  4 .  
         [0086]     Pumping means  139  (not shown), bilge pumps and hoses, for pumping out a flooded slung vessel  6  are contained in each of said four inner end pontoon segments  32 .  
         [0000]     Operation of the Vessel  
         [0087]     Said craft  1 , the Sea Dog, functions in the following manner. When under way with no load, said control pod  4  is normally positioned a few feet above the water  3  and said long pontoons  30 ,  31  on either side are pulled inward by lengthening said power struts  19 . With an 8 foot wide span between the inner long pontoons  31 , the beam of the craft  1  is 30 feet. With the bottom platform  28  raised and the control pod  4  one foot above the water  3 , the top rack  40  of the control pod  4  is 15 feet above the water  3 . The six supporting legs  5  which form the framework, three on each side, then are compactly folded inward with the knee hinges  18  of the legs  5  being about 24 feet above the water  3  and outboard of the outer long pontoons  30  by about 6 feet. The control pod  4  is then less than 2 feet from each inner long pontoon  31 .  
         [0088]     All of said pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  pitch independently of each other. The inner middle three pontoon segments  107 ,  117  on each side pitch independently but roll together making the over all configuration of the craft  1  more stable as the opposing outer bottom edges of an adjacent pair  107 ,  117  are deeper in the water when traversing the crest of a wave. The other pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  112 ,  117  roll and pitch independently. Each of said six supporting legs  5  is respectively pivotally supported by a table top pivot  16  on the top  91  of one of four three-cornered end tables  12  or on the top  91  of one of two three-cornered center tables  140 . Each of said three table legs  13  of each of said four end tables  12  is respectively supported at one of said pivots  15  below the center of buoyancy of a pontoon segment  32 ,  117 . The two inboard table legs  13  of each of said center tables are spaced apart and are respectively supported by two hinged means  119  in one of said two inner middle pontoon segments  107  with the outboard third leg  13  supported by pivoting means in the adjacent outer middle pontoon segment  112 . Said pivot bags  73  and slot sleeves  113  respectively exclude water and objects from entering said conical depressions  14  and said hinge slots  111 . The result is that fourteen of said table legs  13  move freely within their respective conical depressions  14  and said two pairs of table legs  13  in each of said inner middle pontoon segment  107  freely rotate laterally freely their respective slot hinges  111 .  
         [0089]     Because of their hinged and pivoted connections to each other, the twenty articulatable pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  are particularly stable and freely match the changing orientation of the waves. When an end pontoon segment  32  is more than half way over a wave crest, its flat bottom  83  becomes flush with the topography of the new wave surface. It is commonly the case that one of the three outer supporting pontoon segments  32 ,  117  supporting an outer leg  5  has a different orientation than the other two. Likewise, the orientation of each of said two inner middle pontoon segments  107  will vary from their respective proximate outer middle pontoon segments  112  when traversing a wave crest.  
         [0090]     The craft  1  is not rigidly framed. The six knee hinges  18 , one each at the top of each of the six vertical struts  20 , are respectively connected to the outer ends of said top struts  21 . Said pivoting connections  16 ,  17 ,  66 ,  67 ,  68  for said struts  19 ,  21 ,  22 ,  25  and said pivoting connections  68 ,  94 ,  100  for said braces  34 ,  42  are all freely rotatable pivoting connections. The configuration of all of the six supporting legs  5  is varied at the same time in the same way with the result that they all always have the same shape. Said six top struts  21 , said six vertical struts  20  and said four side struts  22  are of fixed length. Except when being adjusted, said six power struts  19 , and said six bottom struts  25  and said four outer braces  34  are of fixed length. When not being adjusted, these struts  19 ,  25 , said outer braces  34  and said middle braces  42  all vary in length due to their spring loading  72  by at least plus or minus 4.5 inches. The spring loading on said six power struts  19  however varies the length of each of said power struts  19  by at least plus or minus two feet to insuring that the loading by a leg  5  on each of said tables  12  is fairly constant.  
         [0091]     As a result of said articulating pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117 , said spring loaded legs  5 , said spring loaded braces  34 ,  42 , said pivoting bottoms  16  of said legs  5 , said tables  12 ,  140 , said pivoting or rotation bottoms of said table legs  15 ,  119  and the stabilizing effect of said side struts  51  and of said side strut assemblies  35 , the craft  1  does not abruptly pitch when crossing a large wave crest as occurs with most rigid hulled vessels.  
         [0092]     Adjustment of the lengths of said bottom struts  25  require that said solenoids  96  within each of them first be energized thereby reducing the pressure of said curved plates  102  respectively against each of said four outer bottom braces  34 . They then move freely within their respective axial bearing pivots  68 . When the lengths of the struts  19 ,  25  have been adjusted, said four solenoids  96  are deenergized and said curved plates  104 , by the pressure of said solenoid spring  102  between said curved plate  104  and said solenoid housing  106 , affix a new, but variable, position for said solenoid housings  106  on their respective outer braces  34 .  
         [0093]     The height of each knee hinge  18  at the top of each vertical strut  2 G relative to the control pod  4  is varied by changing the length of the power struts  19 . For normal operations, the lengths of the bottom struts  25  are not changed and these are normally equal in length to the top struts  21  with a length of 19 feet for each of the two middle bottom struts  25  and 25.8 feet for each of the four outer bottom struts  25 .  
         [0094]     Generally all of the components of the craft  1  move in response to the wave action beneath it. These motions however are constrained when certain limits are reached. Said limit struts  51  are each preloaded to an extension force of 200 pounds when level and can vary by plus 3.0 feet or minus 3.8 feet. When the craft  1  is crossing a wave crest and said four limit strut assemblies  35  become fully extended and the tension restoring force in each assembly  35  then has increased linearly to 800 pounds. The limit struts  51  then limit additional downward flexing of the ends of the craft  1 . Said four end pontoon segments  32  then become slightly elevated, pressing the center of the craft  1  into the wave crest. When the craft  1  is in the trough of a wave and the limit strut assemblies  35  are fully compressed, the compressive restoring force in each assembly has then increased linearly to 300 pounds. The limit struts  51  then limit additional upward flexing of the ends of the craft  1 . Said four end pontoon segments  32  are then pressed into the sides of the wave trough tending to lift the center of the craft  1 . Also, the downward flex angle  127 , 20 degrees, sets the maximum amount of downward flexing between pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  relative to each other as shown in  FIGS. 7B, 8D .  
         [0095]     On average when a load is slung, each of the two middle legs  5  supports twice the loading of an outer leg  5  as each supports two knee pulleys  10 , one on each side, while each of said outer legs  5  supports only one knee pulley  10 . Therefore, to provide extra central displacement for the craft  1 , sections of the inner pontoon segments  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  on each side are extended upward by 2 feet to 6.5 feet.  
         [0096]     Said four side struts  22  are each affixed between an outer vertical strut  20  and a middle vertical strut  20  seven feet below their respective knee hinges  18  and counteract the forces created by said knee pulleys  10  by the loading of the load cables  7  when a load  6  has been slung.  
         [0097]     When supporting a large vessel  6 , the process of slinging it is to place the slings  8  under the vessel  6  straddling the middle of the vessel  6  and to offset these to one side if the vessel  6  is listing so that, when lifted, the vessel  6  is vertical. The span of the craft  1  is then narrowed to place the supporting cables  7  in as vertical an orientation as possible. Also the slings  8  are shorted to give the longest length possible to said support cables  7 . Then the vessel  6  is lifted only as far as is required to secure it against moving relative to the craft  1 . The slings  8  can be adjusted relative to each other and relative to the length of the craft  1 . The rear sling  8  is split into two central slings  131  to permit the slinging of a shorter or smaller load  6  with two pulley assemblies  11 , one on each side. The slings  8  and support cables  7  can safely support about 50 tons however in severe weather, support of smaller loads  6  may be advisable. The skill and experience of the crew as well as the wind conditions are also factors to consider when attempting to sling a load  6 .  
         [0098]     When the power struts  19  are adjusted to make the top struts  21  roughly level and the bottom struts  25  are extended, the configuration of the craft  1  is low and wide. However beyond a free span of about 42 feet, the load  6  which can be safely supported diminishes as the span increases since the vertical struts  20  are then increasing less vertical. A no-load free span of about 60 feet, a beam of 82 foot, is possible.  
         [0099]     Said retractable platform  97  provides versatility in the transport of a load  6  or people. Said plates  36 ,  37  forming the ends can be lowered to form a level extension or a downward ramp as shown in  FIG. 5F . This permits the bottom compartment  28  to be loaded and unloaded with a forklift to or from a dock to which the height of the craft  1  has been adjusted for variations in the tide. For an open span (the width of the dock and the inner clearance of the craft  1 ) of less than 35 feet, the working height is at least 22 feet and in this configuration the bottom platform  28  supports 25 tons. Alternately these plates  36 ,  37  can be folded back onto the lowered bottom platform  28  as shown in  FIG. 5E  to allow easier access to a slung vessel  6 . Until it is needed, this structure  97  is raised upward and compactly stored out of the way under the control pod  4  as shown in  FIG. 5D .  
         [0100]     Thus a new, versatile rescue and transport craft has been shown. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous other modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. These include; (1) six articulating pontoon segments, three on each side, with six legs  5 , one each pivoted below the center of buoyancy of a pontoon segment, can be used to support each of the six legs  5 , (2) the pivots  49  and hinges  26  used to articulatably attach adjacent pontoon segments can be modified to accommodate fuel, utility, control and communication lines and can be made using sealed ball bearings and/or roller bearings, (3) means to lock the articulating connections  26 ,  49  between pontoon segments  32 ,  57 ,  107 ,  112 ,  117  can be made to prevent pitching and/or rolling motion between them to provide the crew with options for dealing with unusual weather and loading conditions can be made, (4) said bilge pumps and hoses  139  can be used for fighting fires, (5) the structure above the control pod  79 ,  90  can be made detachable to make shipping and handling of a disassembled craft  1  easier, (6) additional securing means for lashing a slung vessel  6  to the craft  1  to avoid having it roll independently of the craft  1  before and after it is slung can be utilized, (7) other equipment can be added to said control pod  4  including a galley, navigation, communication and rescue equipment and a toilet, and (8) each of said four outward facing seats  147 , two inside at each end of the control pod  4 , can be made to each be convertible into a narrow bunk, (9) the individual pontoon segments can be made as flexing units, (10) the struts can be made aerodynamically smooth, (11) a short sturdy railing around the outer top edge of the top rack, a robust impact grillwork for each end of the control pod and climb-walk means for the vertical and top struts can be made, and (12) a craft can be made with articulating pontoon segments or with an articulating framework, but not both (13) four legs can be used rather than six utilizing a single sling, (14) an air compressor and a water distillation unit can be added and (15) means to transfer fuel from one end of the craft to the other to balance the overall loading can be devised. Accordingly, the above disclosure is not intended as limiting and the appended claims are to be interpreted as encompassing the entire scope of the invention.  
                                             Numeral   Description                                1.   General reference number for a craft according to the           present invention       2.   Centered hole       3.   Water       4.   General reference number for the control pod       5.   General reference number for support leg       6.   Load       7.   Cable, load       8.   Sling       9.   Winch       10.   Knee pulley, double sheaves       11.   General reference number for pulley assembly       12.   Triangular end table       13.   Table leg       14.   Conical depression       15.   Pivot, table leg       16.   Pivot, table top       17.   Top pivot       18.   Knee hinge       19.   Power strut       20.   Vertical strut       21.   Top strut       22.   Side strut       23.   Pulley       24.   Corner pivot       25.   Bottom strut       26.   Pontoon segment horizontal hinge       27.   Pontoon sleeve       28.   Retractable bottom platform       29.   Platform cable       30.   General reference number for long outer pontoon       31.   General reference number for long inner pontoon       32.   End pontoon segment       33.   Hinge, retractable bottom plate       34.   Outer brace       35.   General reference number for limit strut assembly       36.   Upper end plate       37.   Lower end plate       38.   Bottom plate, control pod       39.   Side plate, control pod       40.   Top plate, control pod       41.   General reference number for clear enclosing surface       42.   Middle brace       43.   Tubular extension, pivot bag       44.   Conical layer, pivot bag       45.   Bellows, pivot bag       46.   Pivot bag extension       47.   Hatch or door       48.   Hoist       49.   Bearing plate       50.   Cylindrical extension       51.   Limit strut       52.   Circular opening       53.   Securing pin       54.   General reference number for solenoid clamp assembly       55.   Transverse hole       56.   Thick central portion, strut       57.   Spacer pontoon segment       58.   Pivot, side strut       59.   Cable securement       60.   Propulsion means       61.   End plate, control pod       62.   Front piece, enclosing surface       63.   Webbing       64.   Side piece, enclosing surface       65.   Sling adjuster and release       66.   Bottom pivot       67.   Power strut pivot       68.   Cone       69.   Pivot mount extension, control pod       70.   Sling ring       71.   Sling spacer       72.   Spring       73.   General reference number for pivot bag       74.   Slot       75.   Hydraulic actuator       76.   Opening, side plate       77.   Cable roller guide       78.   Pulley base       79.   Top cylinder       80.   Washer       81.   Teflon coating       82.   Hand/foot holds       83.   Bottom surface, pontoon segment       84.   Side surface, pontoon segment       85.   Top surface, pontoon segment       86.   End surface, pontoon segment       87.   Prow       88.   End impact guard       89.   Pulley axle       90.   Top rack       91.   Table top       92.   Cable retraction means       93.   Bottom strut opening       94.   Middle brace pivot       95.   Slot, slot sleeve       96.   Solenoid       97.   General reference number for bottom compartment       98.   Hole, bottom plate       99.   Annular constriction       100.   General reference number for axial pivot       101.   Cylindrical guide       102.   Solenoid spring       103.   Housing, spring       104.   Curved plate       105.   Solenoid shaft       106.   Housing, clamp       107.   Inner middle pontoon segment       108.   Hole, platform       109.   Cylinder, limit strut assembly       110.   Motion arrow       111.   Hinge slot       112.   Outer middle pontoon segment       113.   General reference number for slot sleeve       114.   Facing plate, pontoon segment       115.   Cable rest       116.   Motor-generator unit       117.   Adjacent pontoon segment       118.   Round plate, limit strut assembly       119.   Slot hinge       120.   Manual cable securing means       121.   Manual plate securing means       122.   Swage       123.   Rigid loop       124.   Long ramp cable       125.   Short ramp cable       126.   Support cable, non-retracting       127.   Flex angle       128.   Attachment, knee pulley       129.   Pivot, limit strut       130.   Toe-in angle       131.   Central sling       132.   Walk-on plate       133.   Rope ladder       134.   Solenoid electrical connections       135.   Flat side, clamp housing       136.   Hole, clamp housing       137.   Curved side, clamp housing       138.   Interior side, clamp housing       139.   Bilge pumps and hoses       140.   Triangular center table       141.   Side, slot sleeve       142.   Inner end, spring housing       143.   Outer end, spring housing       144.   Spherical pivot base       145.   Spherical bearing       146.   Hole, spherical bearing       147.   Seat, control pod