Patent Publication Number: US-11397087-B1

Title: Ocean-based storage and distribution of items

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Since the dawn of mankind, the Earth&#39;s oceans have served as sources of intrigue, targets for exploration, channels for transportation and backbones for economic development. Over one hundred fifty of the Earth&#39;s countries have direct access to an ocean, or to an ocean-accessible body of water. 
     Oceans cover approximately seventy percent of the Earth&#39;s surface, and are constantly in motion. Each of the Earth&#39;s oceans includes natural and coherent flows of seawater that travel throughout the oceans along various paths and at various speeds that are formed from differences in temperature, salinity, density or pressure. Such flows are also driven by the Earth&#39;s rotation, Coriolis effects, and topographic features of both the planet&#39;s landmasses and also its ocean floors. Speeds and directions of such flows are also impacted by wind flows, volcanic activity, thermohaline circulation or cabbeling, levels of sunlight, and various other factors. 
     Seawater flows within the Earth&#39;s oceans typically include natural and coherent streams such as gyres, currents and eddies. A gyre is a spiraling loop of seawater that is surrounded by one or more large, permanent ocean currents, and may have a diameter of several thousand miles or more. A current is a substantially long and coherent flow of seawater that is typically consistent in deep water, and may include smaller, episodic flows in coastal areas. An eddy is a small or temporary loop of seawater that may travel hundreds of miles or more before dissipating. The volume of seawater flows within the Earth&#39;s oceans dwarfs the volume of freshwater flows elsewhere on the planet. For example, the Gulf Stream current in the North Atlantic Ocean carries approximately four billion cubic feet of seawater per second, an amount that is greater than the volumetric flow rates of all of the Earth&#39;s rivers combined. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A through 1L  are views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are block diagrams of components of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A through 3F  are views of some aquatic flow paths on planet Earth. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of one process for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A through 5H  are views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A through 6E  are views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7A through 7E  are views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of one process for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9A through 9F  are views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11A through 11E  are views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12A through 12E  are views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As is set forth in greater detail below, the present disclosure is directed to the ocean-based storage and distribution of items such as consumer goods, raw materials, commodities or other saleable products. More specifically, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to loading items onto barges or other carrying vessels and positioning such vessels within flow paths of the Earth&#39;s gyres, currents, eddies or other sources of aquatic flow within bodies of water, e.g., on or below surfaces of such bodies. The carrying vessels may take the form of floating warehouses that are loaded with any number, type or form of items and configured to transport the items around the Earth by way of the planet&#39;s natural aquatic flow paths. The carrying vessels may be placed into such flow paths by one or more support vessels, e.g., towboats, tugs or tugboats, which may be self-powered vessels that are manned or unmanned, and may be configured to transport one or more carrying vessels (e.g., a chain of the carrying vessels in series) from a port or other origin to a point within flow paths of one or more gyres, currents or eddies. The support vessels may also be configured to remove one or more carrying vessels from a flow path, e.g., by intercepting the carrying vessels at a selected point within such paths, and to transport the carrying vessels to another location, such as a point within another flow path, or to a port or another destination. 
     Flow rates and directions of flow at various points within gyres, currents, eddies or other flow paths may be determined by tracking positions or other attributes of carrying vessels, support vessels or other vessels within the gyres, currents, eddies or other flow paths, and modeling the positions of the carrying vessels, support vessels or other vessels over time. One or more models of flow at any point within a gyre, a current or an eddy may be determined, e.g., by machine learning, and used to predict transit times for a carrying vessel, to select rendezvous points at which a support vessel may engage with or disengage from a carrying vessel. Additionally, some carrying vessels may be outfitted with one or more sensors, such as digital cameras or other imaging devices, which may be used to capture information or data regarding conditions, attributes or qualities of bodies of water, such as numbers or locations of plant or aquatic life, or other vessels or features that are present on such bodies of water. Some carrying vessels may be outfitted with one or more engagement systems, such as robotic arms or other features, for interacting with items carried thereon, or with items within the bodies of water. Some carrying vessels may be configured with one or more fabricating systems for manipulating items or materials aboard the carrier vessels, e.g., to manufacture an item from such materials. 
     Accordingly, by placing carrying vessels within naturally occurring aquatic flow paths, and permitting such carrying vessels to travel at speeds and in directions defined by such flow paths, the systems and methods effectively form an ocean-based storage and distribution network that spans the globe, and is limited in speed but operates at a maximum level of efficiency by relying on the Earth&#39;s naturally occurring energy sources rather than electric or petroleum-powered motors for transporting items around the planet. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may be used to transport items of any type, form, size or number, and are particularly useful for transporting goods having extended shelf lives, unfinished or raw materials, or items having mandatory periods of time before being saleable or available for purchase or consumption (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meats or other food products that must ripen or cure). Where flow rates of the Earth&#39;s gyres, currents, eddies or other seawater flows may be determined or predicted, such flow rates may be relied upon and used to selectively store items at sea, and to distribute the items via such seawater flows to one or more destinations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A through 1L , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. As is shown in  FIG. 1A , a support vessel  120 - 1  (e.g., a towboat, a tugboat, a pusher or a puller) is aligned alongside a carrying vessel  150  (e.g., a barge or a like vessel) at a port  130 - 1 . The support vessel  120 - 1  may be any manned or autonomous seagoing vessels that are sufficiently capable of pulling or pushing other vessels, such as the carrying vessel  150 , while traveling on or below the surfaces of the Earth&#39;s oceans or other bodies of water. The support vessel  120 - 1  may include any number of motors and rudders or other control surfaces, as well as other mechanisms (e.g., nozzles) for placing the support vessel  120 - 1  in selected orientations on the open ocean, on inland water courses or bodies, or in any other location. 
     The port  130 - 1  may include any number of systems for loading items onto the support vessel  120 - 1  or the carrying vessel  150 , or otherwise providing services to the support vessel  120 - 1  or the carrying vessel  150 , including one or more cranes, e.g., bulk-handling cranes, deck cranes, floating cranes, gantry cranes, hammerhead cranes, overhead cranes, tower cranes, or others, as well as elevators or any other such systems. The port  130 - 1  may be associated with a fulfillment center, a warehouse, or any other like facility that is configured to receive, store, process and/or distribute items to or on behalf of customers. 
     The carrying vessel  150  may be any seagoing vessel that is configured to travel on or below surfaces of one or more bodies of water, and to carry one or more items thereon. In some embodiments, the carrying vessel  150  may be a barge or another substantially long and/or narrow vessel having a flat-bottomed hull defined by any number of trusses, stanchions or bulkheads, as well as any numbers of knuckles, frames or other structures. The carrying vessel  150  may include any number of decks, cargo bays or other storage compartments for receiving and storing items therein, or distributing items therefrom. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 1B , after the carrying vessel  150  has been successfully loaded with one or more containers of items of any type or form, the support vessel  120 - 1  departs the port  130 - 1  with the carrying vessel  150  in tow. The carrying vessel  150  may be coupled to the support vessel  120 - 1  in any manner, such as by one or more sets of lines or other connectors. Although  FIG. 1B  shows a single carrying vessel  150  being coupled to a single support vessel  120 - 1 , those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will recognize that the carrying vessel  150  may be pushed or pulled by any number of support vessels  120 - 1 , having any number of motors or other propulsion systems, and that the support vessel  120 - 1  may also push or pull any number of the carrying vessels  150 , which may be coupled to one another in series by one or more sets of lines or other connectors. 
     In some embodiments, such as where the support vessel  120 - 1  is operated by one or more human members of a crew, the support vessel  120 - 1  may depart under the operation and control of a manned crew, e.g., by one or more human members, who may navigate the support vessel  120 - 1  and the carrying vessel  150  along or through any transit channels or sea lanes, under the guidance of a pilot or other like staff, or without such assistance. In some other embodiments, the support vessel  120 - 1  may be operated autonomously, and may receive or otherwise be programmed with one or more sets of instructions for departing from the port  130 - 1 , including but not limited to sets of instructions for operating one or more motors and/or rudders or other control surfaces, as necessary to cause the support vessel  120 - 1  and/or the carrying vessel  150  to travel on desired courses and at desired speeds. Alternatively, the support vessel  120 - 1  may cause the carrying vessel  150  to leave the port  130 - 1  in any other manner, such as by direct contact and/or pushing the carrying vessel  150  to sea. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 1C , after departing the port  130 - 1 , which is located on the Costa de la Luz in southern Spain, the support vessel  120 - 1  transits with the carrying vessel  150  in tow toward a current  104 - 1 , e.g., the Canary current, which passes to the west of the port  130 - 1  in a southerly direction. As is shown in  FIG. 1D , upon arriving at a location within a flow path of the current  104 - 1 , the support vessel  120 - 1  may take any action to prepare to disengage from the carrying vessel  150 , or to orient the carrying vessel  150  within the current  104 - 1 . Additionally, a location for disengaging from the carrying vessel  150  within the current  104 - 1  may be selected or otherwise identified in any manner, such as by resort to one or more maps or other cartographic representations, along with any information or data regarding prevailing weather conditions, sea traffic conditions, or any other factors. As is shown in  FIG. 1E , the support vessel  120 - 1  disengages from the carrying vessel  150 , such as by taking in one or more lines therefrom, and releases the carrying vessel  150  within the current  104 - 1 . 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, carrying vessels may be transferred into naturally occurring aquatic flow paths and permitted to travel at speeds and in directions defined by such flow paths. The carrying vessels may be permitted to travel within such flow paths for any period of time, and may be withdrawn from an aquatic flow path in order to be transferred into another aquatic flow path, or to transit into a port or other land-based or sea-based destination. As is shown in  FIG. 1F , the carrying vessel  150  is permitted to travel on any number of currents within the Atlantic Ocean, including the current  104 - 1 , as well as a current  104 - 2 , viz., the North Atlantic equatorial current, or a current  104 - 3 , viz., the Gulf Stream current, which are parts of a large gyre  102  that rotates within the North Atlantic and in a clockwise direction, driven by global winds, Coriolis effects, and any other local or global factors. As is also shown in  FIG. 1F , the current  104 - 3  passes to the east of another port  130 - 2  at the city of Charleston, S.C. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 1G , when an order for one or more items carried aboard the carrying vessel  150  is received from a customer  170  located near the port  130 - 2 , viz., in Columbia, S.C., a support vessel  120 - 2  is dispatched from the port  130 - 2  to intercept the carrying vessel  150 , or to otherwise engage with the carrying vessel  150 , and to bring the carrying vessel  150  into the port  130 - 2 . The customer  170  may have placed the order at any time with respect to the arrival of the carrying vessel  150  within a vicinity of the port  130 - 2 , such as any number of hours or days. In some embodiments, the carrying vessel  150  may be a single source of the items carried onboard, and may transport any of such items from the port  130 - 1  to any number of other ports or shipping facilities, such as the port  130 - 2 . As is shown in  FIG. 1H , the support vessel  120 - 2  may be programmed to position or orient itself at a rendezvous point or an engagement point within the current  104 - 3  that may be selected on any basis. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 1I , upon engaging with the carrying vessel  150 , the support vessel  120 - 2  transfers the carrying vessel  150  out of the current  104 - 3 , and begins to return to the port  130 - 2 . Alternatively, the support vessel  120 - 2  may transport the carrying vessel  150  to any location other than the port  130 - 2 , or may transfer the carrying vessel  150  to one or more other support vessels (not shown), which may transport the carrying vessel  150  to the port  130 - 2  or another destination. As is shown in  FIGS. 1J and 1K , upon arriving at the port  130 - 2 , one or more containers of items are transferred from the carrying vessel  150 , and onto a ground carrier  175  (e.g., a tractor-trailer or similarly sized or configured vehicle, such as a van, a car, a cart or the like). As is shown in  FIG. 1L , the ground carrier  175  may fulfill the order placed by the customer  170  by transporting one or more items via ground from the port  130 - 2  to a location specified by the customer  170 . The support vessel  120 - 2  and/or the carrying vessel  150  may then be subjected to further tasking, such as by transferring the carrying vessel  150  from the port  130 - 2  back into the current  140 - 3 , or any other tasking. 
     Accordingly, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to the use of naturally occurring aquatic flow paths, such as gyres, currents or eddies, or others, in the storage and distribution of items on the Earth&#39;s oceans. Barges or other carrying vessels may be loaded with items and transferred into such flow paths at selected locations, e.g., by one or more manned or autonomous support vessels, and permitted to travel at speeds and in directions defined by such flow paths. Where one or more of the items carried aboard a carrying vessel is desired at a given location, the carrying vessel may be transferred out of an aquatic flow path, e.g., by one or more manned or autonomous support vessels, and transported to a location, such as a port, where the items onboard the carrying vessel may be removed therefrom and delivered to a customer or another location or facility, such as a fulfillment center. 
     Carrying vessels or other carrier vehicles of the present disclosure may include one or more cargo bays or storage compartments for receiving and storing items, goods or materials that are being delivered from an origin to a destination by way of one or more naturally occurring flows of seawater. Such cargo bays or storage compartments may be used to securely maintain items, goods or materials therein at any desired temperature, pressure or alignment or orientation, and to protect such items, goods or materials against the elements. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a carrying vessel or another carrier vehicle may include various equipment or components for determining whether a cargo bay or other storage compartment is empty or includes one or more items, goods or materials, or for identifying specific items, goods or materials that are stored therein, along with equipment or components for engaging or interacting with such items, goods or materials. In some embodiments, the carrying vessels may have dimensions of approximately eighty feet in length, or approximately thirty feet in width. In some other embodiments, each of the carrying vessels may be configured or equipped to transport up to five hundred tons of goods. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the items, goods or materials being transported may be discretized, e.g., maintained in discrete quantities, such as in containers or packages of a discrete quantity. In some other embodiments, the items, goods or materials being transported may be non-discretized, e.g., maintained in bulk. Alternatively, a carrying vessel may have any length or width, and may be configured or equipped to transport loads of any mass or number of items, goods or materials of any type or form. 
     Moreover, barges or other carrying vessels of the present disclosure may include any number of sensors such as position sensors (e.g., Global Positioning Satellite, or GPS, receivers, or cellular transceivers configured to triangulate positions based on signals received from multiple cellular transmitters), imaging sensors (e.g., digital cameras or other imaging devices) or other sensors, including but not limited to compasses, speedometers, inclinometers, gyroscopes, accelerometers or magnetometers. Carrying vessels or other carrier vehicles of the present disclosure may also include communications equipment (e.g., wired or wireless means for communication such as components or systems operating Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, near-field communications or cellular technologies or protocols), along with one or more power modules (e.g., batteries, generators, fuel cells, turbines, generators, solar cells or nuclear reactors), which may be rechargeable, refuelable or replaceable in nature. Information or data obtained or determined by such sensors or such communications equipment may be utilized in manually or automatically tracking a carrying vessel, or selecting a location at which a support vessel or other vessel engages with or disengages from a carrying vessel to insert the carrying vessel into a naturally occurring flow of seawater, e.g., in causing a carrying vessel to travel along one or more paths or routes within gyres, currents or eddies, or to identify one or more alternate paths or routes for the carrying vessel, in order to increase a likelihood that the carrying vessel arrives at a desired location by way of the gyres, currents or eddies. The carrying vessels or other carrier vehicles of the present disclosure may further include any number of computer components (e.g., processors, data stores, transceivers or input/output devices) for performing any of the tasks or executing any of the functions described herein. 
     Barges or other carrying vessels may be used to distribute items within one or more gyres, currents or eddies, or other naturally occurring flows of seawater, in any manner. For example, items of a single type or category may be loaded into and secured within carrying vessels on a homogenous basis, e.g., where a carrying vessel includes a common type of item. Alternatively, items may be loaded into and secured within carrying vessels on a heterogeneous basis, e.g., where a carrying vessel includes a variety of types or categories of items, within separate storage compartments, or within a common storage compartment. Items may also be loaded into and secured within carrying vessels or other carrier vehicles in storage compartments that are specifically tailored for such items, e.g., storage compartments that are configured to maintain items therein at any selected or desired temperatures or pressures or within selected or desired ranges or bands of temperatures or pressures for any durations, as well as storage compartments that are generally provided for multiple types of items. 
     Moreover, once items have been loaded into and secured within a carrying vessel, the carrying vessel may be delivered from a first location having direct or indirect access to an ocean to a second location that has direct or indirect access to an ocean and is selected based on levels of demand for the items within the carrying vessel at the second location, e.g., by traveling from the first location to the second location by way of one or more naturally occurring seawater flows. For example, in some embodiments, a carrying vessel may be loaded with items at a port or other location that is a known source of the items, and an optimal route or path to a location where demand for the items is known, observed or predicted may be derived. The optimal route or path may include one or more naturally occurring aquatic flows such as gyres, currents, or eddies, or other flows, and may be selected based on flow conditions throughout the gyres, currents or eddies, as well as an estimated or desired date of arrival, or on any other basis. The carrying vessel may then be transported from the source of the items to a point within a naturally occurring flow of seawater or freshwater within an optimal route or path, such as a gyre, a current or an eddy, where the support vessel may disengage from the carrying vessel, and permit the carrying vessel to travel at speeds and in directions defined by the naturally occurring flow. Upon arriving at a waypoint along the optimal route or path, the carrying vessel may be removed from the flow of seawater or freshwater, e.g., by a support vessel or another like system, and transported to a port or another destination for the items, or to another point within another naturally occurring flow of seawater or freshwater, where the carrying vessel may be permitted to travel thereon at speeds and in directions defined by the naturally occurring flow. 
     Barges or other carrying vessels may travel along naturally occurring flows of seawater or freshwater singly or in any number. For example, two or more carrying vessels may be coupled to one another, e.g., prior to a carrying vessel entering a gyre, a current or an eddy, or while the carrying vessel is within the gyre, the current or the eddy, or after the carrying vessel has been removed therefrom. A support vessel may, therefore, be configured to deposit any number of carrying vessels into a naturally occurring flow of seawater or freshwater, or to remove any number of carrying vessels from the naturally occurring flow of seawater or freshwater, subject to operational limitations and environmental conditions. 
     In some embodiments, support vessels may be strategically or proactively stationed in any desired location with respect to one or more gyres, currents, eddies or other naturally occurring flows of seawater or freshwater. For example, a support vessel may be stationed at a location within close proximity of two or more naturally occurring flows of seawater or freshwater, such that the support vessel may be repositioned to engage with a carrying vessel traveling along a first naturally occurring flow of seawater or freshwater, and to transport the carrying vessel to a second naturally occurring flow of seawater or freshwater, before disengaging with the carrying vessel and permitting the carrying vessel to travel along the second naturally occurring flow. Similarly, a support vessel may be selected for dispatch to engage with a carrying vessel on any basis, including but not limited to a distance to a rendezvous point, e.g., an engagement point, with the carrying vessel or a time required for the support vessel or the carrying vessel to arrive at the rendezvous point. After transferring one or more carrying vessels into or out of a naturally occurring seawater or freshwater flow path, a support vessel may be programmed or instructed to remain in a standby condition, such as a safe or lightly traveled location, or a location within a vicinity of one or more seawater or freshwater flow paths, to await further instructions. 
     Carrying vessels may be positioned in flow paths based on levels of known, observed or predicted demand at any location that is accessible to one or more oceans, which may be predicted or determined on any basis. Where demand in any given location has been determined or predicted, the demand may be compared to one or more thresholds or limits to determine whether the demand is sufficiently great, on an actual or relative basis, in order to justify distributing or forward-deploying items to the given region. For example, in some embodiments, a total-market prediction of demand may be determined by defining a market, identifying drivers of demand in each of the market, predicting how such drivers may be anticipated to change, and localizing the effects of such changes to a given region or location. In some other embodiments, a prediction of local demand in a region or location may be determined based on prior sales of items in the region or location, and determining whether such sales are expected to increase, decrease or remain constant. For example, where a metropolitan area includes a fixed number of homes, demand for specific items may be determined based on an analysis of demographics within the metropolitan area, as compared to demographics in the metropolitan area in previous years, or demographics in other similarly situated metropolitan areas. 
     Flow conditions within gyres, currents, eddies or other naturally occurring seawater or freshwater flows may be determined on any basis. For example, in some embodiments, flow conditions such as flows or directions at any given location may be determined from data obtained from intrinsic or extrinsic sources, such as satellites, aerial vehicles, seagoing vessels, or other sources. Alternatively, flow conditions within gyres, currents, eddies or other naturally occurring seawater or freshwater flows may be determined by machine learning, such as where positions of carrying vessels or other seagoing vessels are determined and tracked over time. Inputs including not only positions of carrying vessels or other vehicles and times associated with such positions but also attributes of the vehicles, including but not limited to dimensions of the vehicles, masses or weights of loads transported thereby, or other parameters affecting the seaworthiness of such vessels or their capacity to respond or be transported by naturally occurring seawater or freshwater flows. In some embodiments, positions, times and other parameters of a carrying vessel or other seagoing vessel may be provided as inputs to a machine learning system, and flow conditions within one or more gyres, currents or eddies may be determined based at least in part on outputs received from the machine learning system. Moreover, seawater or freshwater flows may vary in depth and are not two-dimensional in nature. Rather, seawater or freshwater flows may move in different directions, and at different flow rates, at different depths over the same location on the ocean floor. 
     Carrying vessels of the present disclosure may be configured to perform any function other than, or in addition to, the ocean-based storage and distribution of items. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the carrying vessels described herein may be utilized to retrieve or extract garbage, trash or wastes within seawater or freshwater, where the garbage, the trash, or the wastes are encountered by a carrying vessel that is in transit. A carrying vessel may include any number of machines or systems for retrieving such materials, e.g., engagement systems such as robotic arms, and for storing such materials aboard the carrying vessel, e.g., compactors or containers. 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, carrying vessels may be outfitted or configured with one or more automated fabricators, e.g., 3D printers, having various types or forms of tooling equipment included therein. Such tooling equipment may include, but is not limited to, one or more filaments, heads, blades, nozzles, motors, rollers, heat sources, radiation sources or other elements for molding, shaping, forming, curing, solidifying or depositing layers of materials therein and forming such materials into an end product. For example, a carrying vessel that is outfitted or configured with automated fabricators and/or tooling equipment may be loaded with a variety of stock materials, and may be programmed to retrieve other raw materials (e.g., the raw materials themselves, or one or more items formed from such raw materials, which may be processed to extract the raw materials therefrom) from an ocean in one or more specified locations. The carrying vessels may be programmed or otherwise configured to fabricate a given item, e.g., in response to an order for the item, and to deliver the item to a predetermined location. In some embodiments, items may be fabricated while the carrying vessel is en route from a location from which stock materials or raw materials or items are retrieved to a location specified in the order. For example, where a given item is known to require a predetermined amount of time to be properly prepared from raw materials according to a known procedure, the raw materials may be loaded onto a carrying vessel in port, and an automated fabricator may be programmed to generate the given item from raw materials provided aboard the carrying vessel, or from one or more items or materials that may be obtained by the carrying vessel while in transit. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a block diagram of components of one system  200  for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The system  200  includes a marketplace  210 , an aquatic support vessel  220 , a fulfillment center  230 , an aquatic carrying vessel  250 , a customer  270  and a vehicle monitoring system  290  that are connected to one another across a network  280 , which may include the Internet in whole or in part. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     The marketplace  210  may be any entity or individual that wishes to make items from a variety of sources (e.g., manufacturers, merchants, sellers or vendors) available for download, purchase, rent, lease or borrowing by customers using a networked computer infrastructure, including one or more physical computer servers  212  and data stores  214  (e.g., databases) for hosting a network site  216 . The marketplace  210  may be physically or virtually associated with one or more storage or distribution facilities, such as the fulfillment center  230 . The network site  216  may be implemented using the one or more servers  212 , which connect or otherwise communicate with the one or more data stores  214  as well as the network  280 , as indicated by line  218 , through the sending and receiving of digital data. Moreover, the data store  214  may include any type of information regarding items that have been made available for sale through the marketplace  210 , or ordered by customers, such as the customer  270 , from the marketplace  210 , or any information or data regarding the delivery of such items to customers, e.g., by human carriers on foot, on bicycle, or by other means, or by one or more vehicles, such as cars, trucks, trailers, freight cars, container ships or cargo aircraft, as well as one or more of the tugboat  220  and/or the carrying vessel  250 , or any other seagoing vessels. 
     The support vessel  220  may be any type or form of seagoing vessel or system that is configured to transport the carrying vessel  250  (or any number of carrying vessels), e.g., by pushing or pulling, from one location to one or more other locations. For example, the support vessel  220  may be configured to transport the carrying vessel  250  and any number of items thereon from a port or other station or facility associated with the fulfillment center  230  to one or more locations within seagoing flow paths that may carry flows of water within a vicinity of other locations where the items on the carrying vessel  250  are desired. For example, a support vessel  220  may be manually operated, or autonomously programmed or instructed, to transfer the carrying vessel  250  into a flow path that will cause the carrying vessel  250  to travel to or near a location where demand for one or more items on the carrying vessel  250  is known, observed or predicted, or to retrieve the carrying vessel  250  and any items thereon from such locations. 
     For example, the support vessel  220  may be configured to determine and/or travel on an optimal path or route between two locations within or near naturally occurring aquatic flow paths for the execution of a given mission or task on any basis, such as according to one or more traditional shortest path or shortest route algorithms such as Dijkstra&#39;s Algorithm, Bellman-Ford Algorithm, Floyd-Warshall Algorithm, Johnson&#39;s Algorithm or a hub labeling technique. The support vessel  220  may be further configured to control or direct the operations of the carrying vessel  250 , or to select one or more paths to be traveled by the carrying vessel  250  between two or more locations while performing any number of tasks or executing any number of functions. 
     The support vessel  220  may include any type or form of component for safely coupling with the carrying vessel  250 , including one or more lines, straps, latches, winches, cleats, brackets, restraints, or like features. The support vessel  220  may further include any equipment, material or supplies for maintaining the carrying vessel  250  in a serviceable condition, including equipment, material or supplies for charging batteries, refueling, repairing damage or performing any other operations on the carrying vessel  250 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 2B , the support vessel  220  includes one or more computer components such as a processor  222 , a memory  224  and a transceiver  226  in communication with one or more other computer devices that may be connected to the network  280 , as indicated by line  228 , in order to transmit or receive information in the form of digital or analog data, or for any other purpose. For example, the support vessel  220  may receive instructions or other information or data via the transceiver  226  regarding contents of the carrying vessel  250  (or any number of carrying vessels), as well as items that are to be delivered to the customer  270 , from the marketplace server  212 , the fulfillment center server  232  and/or the customer computing device  272 , or from any other computing device over the network  280 . The transceiver  226  may be configured to enable the support vessel  220  to communicate through one or more wired or wireless means, e.g., wired technologies such as Universal Serial Bus (or “USB”) or fiber optic cable, or standard wireless protocols such as Bluetooth® or any Wireless Fidelity (or “Wi-Fi”) protocol, such as over the network  280  or directly. 
     The transceiver  226  may further include or be in communication with one or more input/output (or “I/O”) interfaces, network interfaces and/or input/output devices, and may be configured to allow information or data to be exchanged between one or more of the components of the support vessel  220 , or to one or more other computer devices or systems (e.g., other aerial vehicles, not shown) via the network  280 . For example, in some embodiments, the transceiver  226  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between the processor  222  and one or more onboard or external computer devices or components. The transceiver  226  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations in order to convert data signals from a first format suitable for use by one component into a second format suitable for use by another component. In some embodiments, the transceiver  226  may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, e.g., variants of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. In some other embodiments, functions of the transceiver  226  may be split into two or more separate components, or incorporated directly into the processor  222 . 
     As is further shown in  FIG. 2B , the support vessel  220  further comprises a control system  225  including one or more software applications or hardware components configured for controlling or monitoring operations of the support vessel  220 , as well as a sensor  221 , a power module  223 , a navigation module  227  and a motor  229 . 
     The control system  225  may control or monitor the operation of any number of systems aboard the support vessel  220 , e.g., by receiving, generating, storing and/or transmitting one or more computer instructions to such components, and may communicate with the marketplace  210 , the fulfillment center  230  and/or the customer  270  over the network  280 , as indicated by line  228 , through the sending and receiving of digital data. 
     The sensor  221  may be any type or form of system, device or component for capturing information or data. For example, the sensor  221  may be a position sensor such as a GPS receiver in communication with one or more orbiting satellites or other components of a GPS system  285 , or any other device or component for determining geolocations (e.g., geospatially-referenced point that precisely defines an exact location in space with one or more geocodes, such as a set of geographic coordinates, e.g., a latitude and a longitude, and, optionally, an elevation that may be ascertained from signals (e.g., trilateration data or information) or geographic information system (or “GIS”) data), of the support vessel  220 . Geolocations of the sensor  221  may be associated with the support vessel  220 , where appropriate. 
     The sensor  221  may also be an imaging device including any form of optical recording sensor or device (e.g., digital cameras, depth sensors or range cameras, infrared cameras, radiographic cameras or other optical sensors) that may be configured to photograph or otherwise capture visual information or data (e.g., still or moving images in color or black and white that may be captured at any frame rates, or depth imaging data such as ranges), or associated audio information or data, or metadata, regarding objects or activities occurring within a vicinity of the support vessel  220 , or for any other purpose. For example, the sensor  221  may be configured to capture or detect reflected light if the reflected light is within a field of view of the sensor  221 , which is defined as a function of a distance between an imaging sensor and a lens within the sensor  221 , viz., a focal length, as well as a location of the sensor  221  and an angular orientation of the lens. Accordingly, where an object appears within a depth of field, or a distance within the field of view where the clarity and focus is sufficiently sharp, the sensor  221  may capture light that is reflected off objects of any kind to a sufficiently high degree of resolution using one or more sensors thereof, and store information regarding the reflected light in one or more data files. 
     The sensor  221  may also include manual or automatic features for modifying a field of view or orientation. For example, the sensor  221  may be a digital camera configured in a fixed position, or with a fixed focal length (e.g., fixed-focus lenses) or angular orientation. Alternatively, the sensor  221  may include one or more actuated or motorized features for adjusting a position of the sensor  221 , or for adjusting either the focal length (e.g., zooming the imaging device) or the angular orientation (e.g., the roll angle, the pitch angle or the yaw angle), by causing a change in the distance between the imaging sensor and the lens (e.g., optical zoom lenses or digital zoom lenses), a change in the location of the sensor  221 , or a change in one or more of the angles defining the angular orientation of the sensor  221 . 
     For example, the sensor  221  may be an imaging device that is hard-mounted to a support or mounting that maintains the imaging device in a fixed configuration or angle with respect to one, two or three axes. Alternatively, however, the sensor  221  may be provided with one or more motors and/or controllers for manually or automatically operating one or more of the components, or for reorienting the axis or direction of the sensor  221 , i.e., by panning or tilting the sensor  221 . Panning the sensor  221  may cause a rotation within a horizontal plane or about a vertical axis (e.g., a yaw), while tilting the sensor  221  may cause a rotation within a vertical plane or about a horizontal axis (e.g., a pitch). Additionally, the sensor  221  may be rolled, or rotated about its axis of rotation, and within a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation and substantially parallel to a field of view of the sensor  221 . 
     Imaging data (e.g., still or moving images, as well as associated audio data or metadata) captured using the sensor  221  may be processed according to any number of recognition techniques. In some embodiments, edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures, silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of objects, or portions of objects, expressed in still or moving digital images may be identified using one or more algorithms or machine-learning tools. The objects or portions of objects may be stationary or in motion, and may be identified at single, finite periods of time, or over one or more periods or durations. Such algorithms or tools may be directed to recognizing and marking transitions (e.g., the edges, contours, outlines, colors, textures, silhouettes, shapes or other characteristics of objects or portions thereof) within the digital images as closely as possible, and in a manner that minimizes noise and disruptions, and does not create false transitions. Some detection algorithms or techniques that may be utilized in order to recognize characteristics of objects or portions thereof in digital images in accordance with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, Canny edge detectors or algorithms; Sobel operators, algorithms or filters; Kayyali operators; Roberts edge detection algorithms; Prewitt operators; Frei-Chen methods; or any other algorithms or techniques that may be known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts. 
     The sensor  221  may further be one or more compasses, speedometers, altimeters, thermometers, barometers, hygrometers, gyroscopes, air monitoring sensors (e.g., oxygen, ozone, hydrogen, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide sensors), ozone monitors, pH sensors, magnetic anomaly detectors, metal detectors, radiation sensors (e.g., Geiger counters, neutron detectors, alpha detectors), accelerometers, ranging sensors (e.g., radar or LIDAR ranging sensors) or sound sensors (e.g., microphones, piezoelectric sensors, vibration sensors or other transducers for detecting and recording acoustic energy from one or more directions). 
     The sensor  221  may also be an item identification sensor that may include a bar code scanner, a radiofrequency identification (or RFID) reader, or other technology that is utilized to determine an identification of an item that is being retrieved or deposited, or has been retrieved or deposited, by the support vessel  220 . In some embodiments, the sensor  221  may be provided within a cargo bay or other storage component of the support vessel  220 , such as a presence detection sensor and/or a motion sensor for detecting the presence or absence of one or more objects within the cargo bay or storage compartment, or movement of objects therein. 
     The sensor  221  may be further configured to capture, record and/or analyze information or data regarding its positions, velocities, accelerations or orientations of the support vessel  220 , and to analyze such data or information by one or more means, e.g., by aggregating or summing such data or information to form one or more qualitative or quantitative metrics of the movement of the sensor  221 . For example, a net vector indicative of any and all relevant movements of the support vessel  220 , including but not limited to physical positions, velocities, accelerations or orientations of the sensor  221 , may be derived. Additionally, coefficients or scalars indicative of the relative movements of the support vessel  220  may also be defined. 
     The power module  223  may be any type of power source for providing electrical power, mechanical power or other forms of power in support of one or more electrical or mechanical loads aboard the support vessel  220 . In some embodiments, the power module  223  may be another form of prime mover (e.g., electric, gasoline-powered, diesel-powered, or any other type of motor) capable of generating sufficient mechanical forces for the support vessel  220 . In some embodiments, the power module  223  may include one or more batteries or other power cells, e.g., dry cell or wet cell batteries such as lead-acid batteries, lithium ion batteries, nickel cadmium batteries or nickel metal hydride batteries, or any other type, size or form of batteries. The power module  223  may each have any cell voltages, peak load currents, charge times, specific energies, internal resistances or cycle lives, or other power ratings. Alternatively, the power module  223  may also be any type, size or form of other power source, e.g., other than a battery, including but not limited to one or more fuel cells, turbines, generators, solar cells or nuclear reactors. 
     The navigation module  227  may include one or more software applications or hardware components including or having access to information or data regarding aspects of the tugboat  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , as well as locations (e.g., ports) for receiving the tugboat  220  and/or the carrying vessel  250  within a given region, including the locations, dimensions, flow capacities, conditions, statuses or other attributes of various aquatic flow paths across the Earth. For example, in some embodiments, the navigation module  227  may be an inertial measurement unit or an inertial navigation system having one or more gyroscopes, accelerometers, compasses, magnetometers or other components. The navigation module  227  may receive inputs from the sensor  221 , e.g., from a GPS receiver, an imaging device or another sensor, and determine an optimal direction and/or an optimal speed of the support vessel  220  for travelling to one or more locations or on a given path or route based on such inputs. The navigation module  227  may select a path or route to be traveled upon by the support vessel  220 , e.g., into a naturally occurring aquatic flow path, or out of a naturally occurring aquatic flow path, and may provide information or data regarding the selected path or route to the control system  225 . 
     The motor  229  may be any type or form of motor or engine (e.g., electric, gasoline-powered, diesel-powered or any other type of motor) that is capable of providing sufficient forces to one or more axles, shafts and/or propellers or other systems for causing the support vessel  220  and any items therein to travel in a desired direction and at a desired speed. In some embodiments, the support vessel  220  may include one or more inboard or outboard motors that have any number of stators, poles and/or windings, or are coupled to any number of propellers, and have any speed rating, power rating or any other rating. In addition to the motor  229 , the support vessel  220  may further include one or more steering systems for controlling a direction of travel of the support vessel  220 . Such steering systems may include any number of automatically operable gears (e.g., racks and pinions), gear boxes, shafts, shaft assemblies, joints, servos, hydraulic cylinders, linkages or other features for operating one or more rudders or other control surfaces to cause the support vessel  220  to travel in a desired direction. 
     In some embodiments, the support vessel  220  may be programmed or configured to perform one or more missions or tasks in an integrated manner. For example, the control system  225  may be programmed to instruct the support vessel  220  to travel to an origin, e.g., a port associated with the fulfillment center  230 , and to engage with the carrying vessel  250  (or any number of carrying vessels). The support vessel  220  may be further programmed to depart from a port or another location along a selected route (e.g., an optimal route), and to cause the motor  229  to operate at any predetermined speed or to orient the support vessel  220  in a predetermined direction or otherwise as necessary to travel along the selected route, e.g., based on information or data received from or stored in the navigation module  227 . The control system  225  may further cause the sensor  221  to capture information or data (including but not limited to imaging data) regarding the support vessel  220  and/or its surroundings along the selected route. The control system  225  or one or more other components of the support vessel  220  may be programmed or configured as necessary in order to execute any actions associated with a given task, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     The fulfillment center  230  may be any facility that is adapted to receive, store, process and/or distribute items. As is shown in  FIG. 2A , the fulfillment center  230  includes a server  232 , a data store  234 , and one or more computer processors  236 . The fulfillment center  230  also includes stations for receiving, storing and distributing items to customers, including but not limited to a receiving station  231 , a storage area  233  and a distribution station  235 . 
     The server  232  and/or the processors  236  may operate one or more order processing and/or communication systems and/or software applications having one or more user interfaces, or communicate with one or more other computing devices or machines that may be connected to the network  280 , as indicated by line  238 , for transmitting or receiving information in the form of digital or analog data, or for any other purpose. For example, the server  232  and/or the processors  236  may also operate or provide access to one or more reporting systems for receiving or displaying information or data regarding orders for items received by the marketplace  210 , or positions or contents of the carrying vessel  250  (or any number of carrying vessels) at any given time, and may provide one or more interfaces for receiving interactions (e.g., text, numeric entries or selections) from one or more operators, users, workers or other persons in response to such information or data. The server  232 , the data store  234  and/or the processor  236  may be a general-purpose device or machine, or a dedicated device or machine that features any form of input and/or output peripherals such as scanners, readers, keyboards, keypads, touchscreens or like devices, and may further operate or provide access to one or more engines for analyzing the information or data regarding the workflow operations, or the interactions received from the one or more operators, users, workers or persons. 
     For example, the server  232  and/or the processors  236  may be configured to determine an optimal path or route between two locations for the execution of a given mission or task to be executed by the support vessel  220  and/or the carrying vessel  250  on any basis, such as according to one or more traditional shortest path or shortest route algorithms such as Dijkstra&#39;s Algorithm, Bellman-Ford Algorithm, Floyd-Warshall Algorithm, Johnson&#39;s Algorithm or a hub labeling technique. Additionally, the server  232  and/or the processors  236  may be configured to control or direct, or to recommend or suggest, collaboration between or among the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250  and one or more other vehicles in the performance of one or more tasks or in the execution of one or more functions. For example, the server  232  and/or the processors  236  may be configured to identify levels of inventory on the carrying vessel  250  or distributed among any number of other vehicles or in other locations, or to identify an optimal path to be traveled by the carrying vessel  250  in order to transport such items to a port or another destination. Additionally, where a plurality of carrying vessels  250  are loaded with items and traveling along a naturally occurring aquatic flow path, the server  232  and/or the processor  236  may determine which of the carrying vessels  250  is best suited to deliver items to a selected destination on any relevant factor or basis. The server  232  and/or the processor  236  may identify appropriate locations or rendezvous points where the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , or any number of support vessels or carrying vessels, may meet for any purpose. 
     The receiving station  231  may include any apparatuses that may be required in order to receive shipments of items at the fulfillment center  230  from one or more sources and/or through one or more channels, including but not limited to docks, lifts, cranes, jacks, belts or other conveying apparatuses for obtaining items and/or shipments of items from carriers such as cars, trucks, trailers, freight cars, container ships or cargo aircraft (e.g., manned aircraft or unmanned aircraft, such as drones), as well as the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , and preparing such items for storage or distribution to customers. The storage area  233  may include one or more predefined two-dimensional or three-dimensional spaces for accommodating items and/or containers of such items, such as aisles, rows, bays, shelves, slots, bins, racks, tiers, bars, hooks, cubbies or other like storage means, or any other appropriate regions or stations. The distribution station  235  may include one or more regions or stations where items that have been retrieved from a designated storage area may be evaluated, prepared and packed for delivery from the fulfillment center  230  to locations or destinations specified by customers or the marketplace  210 , e.g., by way of the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , or any other vehicle of any type, e.g., cars, trucks, trailers, freight cars, container ships or cargo aircraft (e.g., manned aircraft or unmanned aircraft, such as drones). Such locations or destinations may include, but are not limited to, facilities having specific addresses or other geocoded identifiers (e.g., dwellings or businesses), as well as storage lockers or other temporary storage or receiving facilities. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will recognize that shipments of items arriving at the receiving station  231  may be processed, and the items placed into storage within the storage areas  233  or, alternatively, transferred directly to the distribution station  235 , or “cross-docked,” for prompt delivery to one or more customers. 
     The fulfillment center  230  may further include one or more control systems that may generate instructions for conducting operations at one or more of the receiving station  231 , the storage area  233  or the distribution station  235 . Such control systems may be associated with the server  232 , the data store  234  and/or the processor  236 , or with one or more other computing devices or machines, and may communicate with the receiving station  231 , the storage area  233  or the distribution station  235  within the fulfillment center  230  by any known wired or wireless means, or with the marketplace  210 , the support vessel  220 , the carrying vessel  250  or the customer  270  over the network  280 , as indicated by line  238 , through the sending and receiving of digital data. 
     Additionally, the fulfillment center  230  may include one or more systems or devices (not shown in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B ) for determining locations of one or more elements therein, such as cameras or other image recording devices. Furthermore, the fulfillment center  230  may also include one or more workers or staff members (not shown in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B ), who may handle or transport items within the fulfillment center  230 . Such workers may operate one or more computing devices or machines for registering the receipt, retrieval, transportation or storage of items within the fulfillment center, or a general-purpose device such as a personal digital assistant, a digital media player, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer or a laptop computer, and may include any form of input and/or output peripherals such as scanners, readers, keyboards, keypads, touchscreens or like devices. 
     The carrying vessel  250  may be any type or form of seagoing vessel that is capable of being transferred into a naturally occurring aquatic flow path and configured for travel between two points in routes having any number of aquatic flow paths, in furtherance of the performance of one or more missions or tasks, such as the delivery of items, based on one or more computer instructions. For example, the carrying vessel  250  may be loaded with one or more items and configured for travel on an optimal path or route between two locations for the execution of a given mission or task on any basis, such as according to one or more traditional shortest path or shortest route algorithms. Likewise, one or more of the carrying vessels  250  may be configured to determine whether an item may be manufactured or produced thereby, either using stock materials carried thereon, or any items, waste products generated by such items, or remnants or scraps of such items that may be located nearby, independently or in concert with one or more other carrying vessels  250 . The carrying vessel  250  may be configured for surface operations, e.g., to transport items on a surface of a body of water, and also for submerged operations, e.g., to transport items below the surface of the body of water. 
     In some embodiments, the carrying vessel  250  may be configured to distribute, or forward-deploy, inventory from one or more fulfillment centers  230  to regions where demand for items is known, observed or predicted, in anticipation of one or more orders for such items, or to fulfill such orders, via naturally occurring aquatic flow paths. The carrying vessel  250  may be configured to transport items from one or more ports associates with the fulfillment center  230  to such regions autonomously by way of the support vessel  220 , or by any other means. In some other embodiments, the carrying vessel  250  may be configured to return to a port associated with the fulfillment center  230  after fulfilling orders for some or all of the items carried thereby, e.g., by traveling to one or more ports associated with the fulfillment center  230  autonomously by way of the support vessel  220 , or by any other means. 
     The carrying vessel  250  may include one or more computer components such as a processor  252 , a memory  254  and a transceiver  256  in communication with one or more other computer devices that may be connected to the network  280 , as indicated by line  258 , in order to transmit or receive information in the form of digital or analog data, or for any other purpose. The processor  252 , the memory  254  and the transceiver  256  may be identical to, or may include any number of features described above with regard to, the processor  222 , the memory  224  or the transceiver  226 , respectively, of the support vessel  220 . 
     Additionally, as is shown in  FIG. 2B , the carrying vessel  250  further includes a sensor  251 , a power module  253 , a control system  255 , an automated fabricator  257  and an item engagement apparatus  259 . Each of the sensor  251 , the power module  253  and the control system  255  may include any of the features or attributes described above with respect to the sensor  221 , the power module  223  or the control system  225  of the support vessel  220 , and may be configured to execute any of the tasks or perform any of the functions described above with respect to the sensor  221 , the power module  223  or the control system  225  of the support vessel  220 . 
     Additionally, as is shown in  FIG. 2B , the carrying vessel  250  may further include an automated fabricator  257  having tooling equipment and access to one or more materials (e.g., raw materials and/or stock materials). The automated fabricator  257  may be a 3D printer or any other device or component for automatically forming an end product according to one or more sets of computer instructions. For example, the automated fabricator  257  may include tooling equipment such as any machines or components for manipulating raw materials and/or stock materials to form an end product therefrom. The automated fabricator  257  may further include any number of computer processors, data stores, memory components or communications equipment for controlling the operation of tooling equipment or receiving instructions for the operation thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the automated fabricator  257  may include one or more filaments, heads, blades, nozzles, motors, rollers, heat sources, radiation sources or other elements for molding, shaping, forming, curing, solidifying or depositing layers of materials, or otherwise manipulating materials, and forming an end product therefrom. 
     Furthermore, the automated fabricator  257  may have access to any liquid, gaseous or solid materials that may be molded, shaped, formed, cured, solidified or deposited into an end product. Such materials may be maintained or stored aboard the carrying vessel  250  in one or more vats, vessels, tanks, bins, platforms or other storage spaces that are accessible to the automated fabricator  257  or accessible thereto. In some embodiments, such materials may include thermoplastic materials including but not limited to acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, nylon, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, polyether ether ketone, polylactic acid, poly(meth)acrylate, polyphenylene sulphone, polystyrene, as well as one or more polymers, copolymers or ionomers thereof, or combinations of any of such materials. In some embodiments, such materials may include aluminum, antimony, barium, bismuth, cesium, gold, lead, iodine, steel, tantalum, tin or tungsten, or one or more oxides, nitrides or alloys thereof. In some embodiments, such materials may include not only liquids, gases or solids but also gels, resins, plasmas or any other types or classes of materials. In some embodiments, the materials that are provided aboard the carrying vessel  250  and are accessible to the automated fabricator  257  may include both stock materials, or materials that have not yet been processed or formed into an end product, and are loaded onto the carrying vessel  250  for the purpose of ultimately being formed into one or more end products. Additionally, materials that are provided aboard the carrying vessel  250  and are accessible to the automated fabricator  257  may include materials extracted from an ocean in which the carrying vessel  250  has traveled. 
     The item engagement system  259  may be any mechanical component, e.g., a robotic arm, for engaging an item or for disengaging the item, as desired. For example, when the carrying vessel  250  tasked with delivering items or materials from an origin to a destination by way of one or more aquatic flow paths, the item engagement system  259  may be used to engage the items or materials at the origin and to deposit the items or materials in a cargo bay or other storage compartment of the carrying vessel  250  prior to departure. After the carrying vessel  250  has arrived at a destination, the item engagement system  259  may be used to retrieve the items or materials within the cargo bay or storage compartment, and deposit the items or materials in a desired location at the destination. 
     In some embodiments, the carrying vessel  250  may further include any number of features for maintaining the carrying vessel  250  at a desired freeboard, list, pitch, depth or other configuration or orientation. For example, the carrying vessel  250  may include any number of ballast tanks that may be selectively filled or emptied to vary a density of the carrying vessel  250 , or to cause the carrying vessel  250  to rise or fall. Such tanks may include manual or automated operators that may be configured for operation using electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or any other source of energy, e.g., the power module  253 , provided aboard the carrying vessel  250  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     In some other embodiments, the carrying vessel  250  may be configured to receive items, rather than merely deliver items. For example, because garbage, trash or other natural or man-made items are known to collect within centers of gyres, such as the Sargasso Sea within the North Atlantic gyre, the carrying vessel  250  may be configured to retrieve such garbage, trash or other items from a body of water in which the carrying vessel  250  is located, e.g., by the item engagement system  259 . In some other embodiments, one or more aspects of the carrying vessel  250 , such as the automated fabricator  257 , may be configured to manufacture or produce one or more other items using materials retrieved from one or more bodies of water while the carrying vessel  250  is in transit. 
     In some embodiments, the carrying vessel  250  may include any of the features or components of the support vessel  220  described herein. In some embodiments, the support vessel  220  may include any of the features or components of the carrying vessel  250  described herein. For example, the carrying vessel  250  may include one or more navigation systems  227 , e.g., inertial measurement units or inertial navigation systems having one or more gyroscopes, accelerometers, compasses, magnetometers or other components. The carrying vessel  250  may further include one or more motors  229 , e.g., propulsion motors, or, alternatively, auxiliary motors for maneuvering or repositioning the carrying vessel  250 , such as outboard motors. Likewise, the support vessel  220  may include one or more automated fabricators  257 , e.g., 3D printers, or one or more engagement systems  259 , e.g., robotic arms or like features. In some embodiments, the attributes or features described herein with regard to the support vessel  220  and the carrying vessel may exist in a single vessel. 
     The customer  270  may be any entity or individual that wishes to download, purchase, rent, lease, borrow or otherwise obtain items (which may include goods, products, services or information of any type or form) from the marketplace  210 . The customer  270  may utilize one or more computing devices  272  (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or computing devices provided in wristwatches, televisions, set-top boxes, automobiles or any other appliances or machines), or any other like machine, that may operate or access one or more software applications  274 , such as a web browser or a shopping application, and may be connected to or otherwise communicate with the marketplace  210  or the fulfillment center  230  through the network  280 , as indicated by line  278 , by the transmission and receipt of digital data. 
     The vehicle monitoring system  290  includes one or more physical computer servers  292  having a plurality of databases  294  associated therewith, as well as one or more computer processors  296  provided for any specific or general purpose. The servers  292  may be connected to or otherwise communicate with the databases  294  and the processors  296 . The databases  294  may store any type of information or data, including but not limited to positions of vessels, e.g., the support vessel  220  and the carrying vessel  250 , or any numbers of support vessels or carrying vessels, as well as times associated with such positions, and attributes of the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250  such as dimensions (e.g., lengths, widths or heights), masses, velocities, or cargo carried, along with water temperatures, wind conditions, wave heights, freeboard distances, angular orientation data, or any other information or data regarding the operation of the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250  within one or more naturally occurring seawater or freshwater flows. 
     The servers  292  and/or the computer processors  296  may also connect to or otherwise communicate with the network  280 , as indicated by line  298 , through the sending and receiving of digital data. For example, the vehicle monitoring system  290  may include any facilities, stations or locations having the ability or capacity to receive and store information or data in one or more data stores, e.g., data files received from the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , or from one or more other external computer systems (not shown) via the network  280 . In some embodiments, the vehicle monitoring system  290  may be provided in a physical location. In other such embodiments, the vehicle monitoring system  290  may be provided in one or more alternate or virtual locations, e.g., in a “cloud”-based environment. In still other embodiments, the vehicle monitoring system  290  may be provided onboard one or more of the support vessels  220  or the carrying vessel  250 . 
     For example, the vehicle monitoring system  290  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  may be independently provided for the purpose of determining or predicting the demand for items in one or more locations, or comparing the demand to a predetermined threshold or limit, as well as distances between locations of known, observed or predicted demand and locations where such items are stored, e.g., locations of the fulfillment center  230  or the carrying vessel  250  having such items stored therein. The vehicle monitoring system  290  may also be provided for the purpose of determining the type of form of materials that may be available in one or more locations, e.g., locations of items, waste products generated by items, or remnants or scraps of items, and may be retrieved therefrom. The vehicle monitoring system  290  may also be provided for the purpose of determining whether one or more of the carrying vessels  250  may receive such items or materials, or is adequately configured or outfitted to receive, store, distribute or manufacture or produce one or more items in response to an order, or to deliver the manufactured or produced item to a specific location. The vehicle monitoring system  290  may be further configured to determine or predict flow rates or directions of flow of any number of naturally occurring aquatic flow paths, such as gyres, currents or eddies based on any available information or data, e.g., photographs, historical observations, or prevailing weather or environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the vehicle monitoring system  290  may be configured to execute any number of machine learning systems or techniques to determine or predict flow rates or directions, such as by providing any relevant information or data regarding the support vessel  220 , the carrying vessel  250  or other vessels as inputs to a classifier or other technique, and determining or predicting the flow rates or the directions based on outputs received from the classifier or other technique. 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle monitoring system  290  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  may also be provided for the purpose of receiving, tracking and/or otherwise monitoring the operations of one or more of the support vessels  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , or any number of support vessels, carrying vessels or other vessels, including but not limited to any information or data regarding attributes of the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , or missions or tasks being performed by the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , as well as environmental conditions, sea traffic conditions, weather conditions, planned or ongoing construction or other events, or any other factors that may affect the capacity of the carrying vessel  250  to store or distribute items via naturally occurring aquatic flow paths such as gyres, currents, eddies or others. 
     The vehicle monitoring system  290  may also be configured to determine an optimal path or route over one or more naturally occurring aquatic flow paths for the execution of a given mission or task on any basis, such as according to one or more traditional shortest path or shortest route algorithms such as Dijkstra&#39;s Algorithm, Bellman-Ford Algorithm, Floyd-Warshall Algorithm, Johnson&#39;s Algorithm or a hub labeling technique. The vehicle monitoring system  290  may also be configured to determine whether a route being traveled by one or more of the support vessels  220  or the carrying vessel  250  is optimal or preferred for a given mission or task, or to communicate instructions for varying the route to the support vessel  220 . The vehicle monitoring system  290  may also be configured to control or direct the operations of one or more the support vessels  220  or the carrying vessel  250 , such as by identifying materials or tooling equipment that may be available to the carrying vessel  250 , or by determining which of a plurality of support vessels or carrying vessels is best suited to perform a given task or execute a given function, as well as one or more paths to be traveled by the support vessel  220  or the carrying vessel  250  between two or more locations while performing the task or executing the function. The vehicle monitoring system  290  may further utilize any available information or data in determining a capacity of a given path or route, or whether such capacity may have increased or decreased. The number and/or type of information or data that may be received and/or processed or utilized by the vehicle monitoring system  290  are not limited. 
     The computers, servers, devices and the like described herein have the necessary electronics, software, memory, storage, databases, firmware, logic/state machines, microprocessors, communication links, displays or other visual or audio user interfaces, printing devices, and any other input/output interfaces to provide any of the functions or services described herein and/or achieve the results described herein. Also, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art will recognize that users of such computers, servers, devices and the like may operate a keyboard, keypad, mouse, stylus, touch screen, or other device (not shown) or method to interact with the computers, servers, devices and the like, or to “select” an item, link, node, hub or any other aspect of the present disclosure. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will understand that process steps described herein as being performed by a “marketplace,” a “support vessel,” a “fulfillment center” a “carrying vessel,” a “customer,” a “vehicle monitoring system” or like terms, may be automated steps performed by their respective computer systems, or implemented within software modules (or computer programs) executed by one or more general purpose computers. Moreover, process steps described as being performed by a “marketplace,” a “support vessel,” a “fulfillment center” a “carrying vessel,” a “customer,” a “vehicle monitoring system” may be typically performed by a human operator, but could, alternatively, be performed by an automated agent. 
     The marketplace  210 , the support vessel  220 , the fulfillment center  230 , the carrying vessel  250 , the customer  270 , or the vehicle monitoring system  290  may use any web-enabled or Internet applications or features, or any other client-server applications, features or messaging techniques, to connect to the network  280  or to communicate with one another. For example, the fulfillment center  230  and/or the server  232  may be adapted to transmit information or data in the form of synchronous or asynchronous messages to the marketplace  210  and/or the server  212 , the support vessel  220  and/or the processor  222 , the carrying vessel  250  and/or the processor  252 , the customer  270  and/or the computing device  272 , or the vehicle monitoring system  290 , or any other computer device in real time or in near-real time, or in one or more offline processes, via the network  280 . Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art would recognize that the marketplace  210 , the support vessel  220 , the fulfillment center  230 , the carrying vessel  250 , the customer  270 , or the vehicle monitoring system  290  may operate any of a number of computing devices that are capable of communicating over the network  280 . The protocols and components for providing communication between such devices are well known to those skilled in the art of computer communications and need not be described in more detail herein. 
     The data and/or computer executable instructions, programs, firmware, software and the like (also referred to herein as “computer executable” components) described herein may be stored on a computer-readable medium that is within or accessible by computers or computer components such as the servers  212 ,  232 ,  292 , the processors  222 ,  252 , the computing devices  272 , or any other computers or control systems utilized by the marketplace  210 , the support vessel  220 , the fulfillment center  230 , the carrying vessel  250 , the customer  270 , or the vehicle monitoring system  290 , and having sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor (e.g., a central processing unit, or “CPU”), cause the processor to perform all or a portion of the functions, services and/or methods described herein. Such computer executable instructions, programs, software and the like may be loaded into the memory of one or more computers using a drive mechanism associated with the computer readable medium, such as a floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, network interface, or the like, or via external connections. 
     Some embodiments of the systems and methods of the present disclosure may also be provided as a computer executable program product including a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions (in compressed or uncompressed form) that may be used to program a computer (or other electronic device) to perform processes or methods described herein. The machine-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, hard drives, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, ROMs, RAMs, erasable programmable ROMs (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable ROMs (“EEPROM”), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, solid-state memory devices, or other types of media/machine-readable medium that may be suitable for storing electronic instructions. Further, embodiments may also be provided as a computer executable program product that includes a transitory machine-readable signal (in compressed or uncompressed form). Examples of machine-readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or not, may include, but are not limited to, signals that a computer system or machine hosting or running a computer program can be configured to access, or including signals that may be downloaded through the Internet or other networks. 
     As is discussed above, the Earth&#39;s oceans are constantly in motion, and include gyres, currents, eddies and other naturally occurring seawater or freshwater flows. Referring to  FIGS. 3A through 3F , aquatic flow paths on planet Earth are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 3A , the Earth&#39;s oceans form a system  300  that includes five gyres  302 - 1 ,  302 - 2 ,  302 - 3 ,  302 - 4 ,  302 - 5 , each of which is recognized as having a strong, narrow western boundary current and a weak but broad eastern boundary current. Gyres that are located primarily in the Earth&#39;s northern hemisphere, viz., the North Atlantic gyre  302 - 1  and the North Pacific gyre  302 - 3 , rotate generally in a clockwise direction, while gyres that are located primarily in the Earth&#39;s southern hemisphere, viz., the South Atlantic gyre  302 - 2 , the South Pacific gyre  302 - 4  and the Indian gyre  302 - 5 , rotate generally in a counterclockwise direction. Each of the gyres  302 - 1 ,  302 - 2 ,  302 - 3 ,  302 - 4 ,  302 - 5  is generally reliably clockwise or counterclockwise, respectively, but is subject to seasonal variations in flow rates and velocities. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 3B , the North Atlantic gyre  302 - 1  includes a clockwise system of currents that flow in a southwest direction along the coast of Africa before turning west and flowing parallel to the equator toward the Americas. The North Atlantic gyre  302 - 1  then flows toward and into the Gulf of Mexico before turning north along the east coast of the United States, and again turning easterly toward northern Europe before rotating downward along the coasts of France and Spain. In particular, the North Atlantic gyre  302 - 1  includes the Canary current  304 - 1 , which is a wide current that is wind-driven southwesterly along Portugal, Spain and Morocco, and through the Canary Islands, as well as a North Atlantic equatorial current  304 - 2  that flows westerly and north of the equator, from western Africa to northeastern South America. The North Atlantic gyre  302 - 1  further includes the Gulf Stream current  304 - 3 , which is formed in part and fed by the Florida current  304 - 4 , and flows upward along the eastern seaboard. The North Atlantic currents  304 - 9 , which are formed by the Gulf Stream current  304 - 3  flowing northeast and the Labrador current  304 - 5  flowing southwest between Canada and Greenland, complete the North Atlantic gyre  302 - 1  and flow easterly and both north and south between Labrador and the British Isles. The West Greenland current  304 - 6  flows north and west, along the west coast of Greenland, while the East Greenland current  304 - 7  flows north and east, along the east coast of Greenland, and the Norwegian current  304 - 8  also flows north and east, between Iceland and Scandinavia. Additionally, the Guinea current  304 - 10  flows along the southern and western coasts of western Africa, and an Atlantic equatorial countercurrent  304 - 11  flows along the equator, parallel to the North Atlantic equatorial current  304 - 2  and in an opposite direction. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 3C , the South Atlantic gyre  302 - 2  includes a counterclockwise system of currents that flow south and west along the eastern coasts of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, before turning east and eventually north along the western coast of Africa. In particular, the South Atlantic gyre  302 - 2  includes the South Atlantic equatorial current  304 - 12 , which flows westerly from western Africa to northeastern South America, and the Benguela current  304 - 13 , which flows north along the western coast of Africa. The Brazilian current  304 - 16  flows south and west along the coasts of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina before turning east and running parallel to the Antarctic circumpolar current  304 - 14 , which encircles  Antarctica  and runs in an easterly direction. The Falklands current  304 - 15  flows in an opposite direction, between the Falkland Islands and Argentina. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 3D , the North Pacific gyre  302 - 3  includes a clockwise system of currents that flow in a westward direction, parallel to and above the equator, before turning north and flowing along the eastern coasts of China and Japan. The North Pacific gyre  302 - 3  then flows in an easterly direction along eastern Russia and the Aleutian Islands, before turning south and flowing along the Yukon Territory, the western states of the United States, and the Baja California peninsula. In particular, the North Pacific gyre  302 - 3  includes the California current  304 - 18 , the North Equatorial current  304 - 20 , the Kuroshio current  304 - 21  and the North Pacific current  304 - 22 . The Kamchatka current  304 - 23  flows south through the Bering Straits and along the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula before joining the North Pacific Current  304 - 22 . Additionally, the Alaska current  304 - 17  runs in a westerly direction along the southern coast of mainland Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, while the Pacific equatorial countercurrent  304 - 19  runs in an easterly direction between the currents of the North Pacific gyre  302 - 3  and the currents of the South Pacific gyre  302 - 4 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 3E , the South Pacific gyre  302 - 4  includes a counterclockwise system of currents that also flow in a westward direction, parallel to but below the equator, before turning south and flowing along the eastern coasts of Papua New Guinea and Australia, between and around the islands of New Zealand. The South Pacific gyre  302 - 4  then flows in an easterly direction before turning north along the Chilean coast. In particular, the South Pacific gyre  302 - 4  includes the Peru current  304 - 25 , which flows north along the coasts of Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, and the South Pacific equatorial current  304 - 24 , which runs westerly, parallel to and in an opposite direction from the Pacific countercurrent  304 - 19 . The East Australia current  304 - 26  flows from the South Pacific equatorial current  304 - 24  and flows southeasterly along Australia and New Zealand before turning east and running parallel to the Antarctic circumpolar current  304 - 14 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 3F , the Indian gyre  302 - 5  includes a counterclockwise system of currents that flow in a westward direction below the Indian subcontinent before turning south and flowing along the eastern coasts of Africa and Madagascar. The Indian gyre  302 - 5  then flows in an easterly direction before turning north along the western coast of Australia and the southern coasts of Indonesia. In particular, the Indian gyre  302 - 5  includes the South Indian equatorial current  304 - 29 , which flows south of India and Sri Lanka in a westerly direction, before turning south along the coast of Madagascar, and the West Australia current  304 - 30 , which flows in an easterly direction, parallel to the Antarctic circumpolar current  304 - 14 . 
     Additionally, the North Indian Equatorial current  304 - 27 , which also flows south of India and Sri Lanka, in a counterclockwise direction, further turns northwesterly along the coasts of India, Pakistan, and the Arabian Peninsula. The Agulhas current  304 - 31  flows from the South Indian equatorial current  304 - 29 , between the African coast and Madagascar. Additionally, the Indian equatorial countercurrent  304 - 28  runs in an easterly direction between the currents of the North Indian Equatorial current  304 - 27  and the currents of the South Indian equatorial current  304 - 29 . 
     While  FIG. 3A  generally describes the flows of the Earth&#39;s five primary gyres  302 - 1 ,  302 - 2 ,  302 - 3 ,  302 - 4 ,  302 - 5 ,  FIGS. 3B through 3F  depict only some of the Earth&#39;s naturally occurring flows of water. The systems and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to the storage and distribution of items or other operations via the gyres and currents shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , and may instead be utilized in connection with the storage of items in, and the distribution of items from, any naturally occurring flows of freshwater or salt water, including but not limited to the gyres  302 - 1  through  302 - 5  or the currents  304 - 1  through  304 - 31  shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3F . Moreover, the representations of flows of the gyres  302 - 1  through  302 - 5  or the currents  304 - 1  through  304 - 31  are generally depicted for demonstration only. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will recognize that the storage and distribution of items in accordance with the present disclosure is not limited to the locations or directions of flow represented by the arrows shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , and that the storage and distribution of items as described herein may occur in any location on or below a surface of a body of water where naturally occurring flows exist. Rather, seawater or freshwater flows may move in different directions, and at different flow rates, at different depths over the same location. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a carrier vessel and/or a support vessel may be configured for travel on a surface of a body of water. In some embodiments, however, one or more of a carrier vessel or a support vessel may be a submersible, or configured for surfaced or submerged operations, such as within a current or other naturally occurring flow of water that is located below a surface of a body of water. 
     As is discussed above, barges or other carrying vessels may be transported into natural occurring seawater or freshwater flows and permitted to travel at speeds and directions provided by such flows, before being removed from such flows and transported to their intended destinations. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart  400  of one process for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. At box  410 , items are loaded onto a carrying vessel at a port of origin. The carrying vessel may have any dimensions and be configured to receive the items in any manner. For example, the carrying vessel may be a long, substantially narrow seagoing vessel having a hull with a substantially flat bottom or a hull having any other shape. For example, the hull may be defined with any number of trusses, stanchions or bulkheads, as well as any numbers of knuckles, frames or other structures. Additionally, the carrying vessel may include any number of decks for receiving items thereon, or any number of cargo bays or other storage compartments for receiving items therein. The carrying vessel may also include any cranes, elevators or other systems for receiving items thereon or unloading items therefrom. Alternatively, the carrying vessel may have a hull with any other shape or form, and may be configured for operation on or below a surface of a body of water. Moreover, in some embodiments, the carrying vessel may be loaded with items while the carrying vessel is at sea, such as by transferring the items onto the carrying vessel from another vessel or other source, where the carrying vessel or the other vessel is configured with a crane or other system for transferring items therebetween. 
     At box  420 , a route for transporting the items from the port of origin to a port of destination via one or more seawater flow paths, viz., n flow paths, is determined. The route may be determined according to any number of optimal route or optimal path techniques, such as according to one or more traditional shortest path or shortest route algorithms such as Dijkstra&#39;s Algorithm, Bellman-Ford Algorithm, Floyd-Warshall Algorithm, Johnson&#39;s Algorithm or a hub labeling technique, where timely and relevant information regarding the gyres, currents and/or eddies or other seawater flow paths within a vicinity of the port of origin, the port of destination or therebetween is known. The route may include any number of waypoints, and any number of paths between such waypoints. 
     At box  430 , a value of a step variable i is set to equal one, or i=1. At box  440 , a support vessel transfers the carrying vessel from the port of origin into a seawater flow path i in accordance with the route determined at box  420 . The support vessel may be selected on any basis, including proximity to the port of origin or to the seawater flow path i, or any relationship with the port of origin or the seawater flow path i, as well as a capacity to transport the carrying vessel from the port of origin to the seawater flow path i. The support vessel may engage with the carrying vessel at the port of origin in any manner, e.g., by any number of lines, chains or any other connections, or by direct contact, and may transfer the carrying vessel into the seawater flow path i by pushing or pulling the carrying vessel from the port of origin into the seawater flow path i at a desired location. Alternatively, the carrying vessel may be transferred into the seawater flow path i by a single support vessel, or by multiple support vessels, which may operate in tandem (e.g., together) or separately, e.g., by transferring control of the carrying vessel therebetween, to push or pull the carrying vessel into the seawater flow path i. Additionally, a location within the seawater flow path i into which the carrying vessel is to be transferred may be selected on any basis. 
     At box  442 , a time of arrival of the carrying vessel at a waypoint i is predicted. For example, where a flow rate of the seawater flow path i is known or predicted, a time of arrival of the carrying vessel at the waypoint i may be calculated based on a distance from the point at which the carrying vessel is inserted into the seawater flow path i to the waypoint i, and the known or predicted flow rate. 
     At box  444 , a support vessel is dispatched to meet the carrying vessel at the waypoint i and at the time of arrival predicted at box  442 . For example, the support vessel may be selected on any basis, including but not limited to its proximity to the waypoint i, or any relationship with the waypoint i, as well as a capacity to transfer the carrying vessel out of the seawater flow path i at the waypoint i. At box  446 , the support vessel intercepts the carrying vessel at the waypoint i. For example, the support vessel may approach the carrying vessel to within a suitable range, or contact the carrying vessel, and engage with the carrying vessel in the same manner that a support vessel transferred the carrying vessel into the seawater flow path i at box  440  or in a different manner. 
     At box  448 , the support vessel transfers the carrying vessel out of the seawater flow path i at the waypoint i. For example, the support vessel may push or pull the carrying vessel out of the seawater flow path i, by direct contact or by one or more connectors (e.g., lines). 
     At box  450 , whether the selected flow path i is the final path of the n paths in the route determined at box  420 , or whether i=n, is determined. If the selected flow path i is not the final flow path of the route, or if i does not equal n, then the process advances to box  460 , where the value of the step variable i is incremented by one, or i=i+1, and to box  465 , where the support vessel transfers the carrying vessel into another seawater flow path i, before returning to box  442 , where a time of arrival of the carrying vessel at a waypoint i within the seawater flow path i into which the carrying vessel was transferred is predicted. 
     If the selected flow path i is the final flow path of the route, or if i=n, then the process advances to box  470 , where the support vessel transfers the carrying vessel from waypoint n to the port of destination, and the process ends. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A through 5H , views of aspects of one system  500  for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “5” in  FIGS. 5A through 5H  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5A , a pair of ports  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2 , including Miami, Fla.,  530 - 1  and Norfolk, Va.,  530 - 2  are shown. Each of the ports  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2  has direct access to an ocean, or an ocean-accessible body of water. Within the ocean, a pair of currents  504 - 1 ,  504 - 2 , viz., the Florida current  504 - 1 , and the Gulf Stream current  504 - 2 , are naturally occurring seawater flow paths that pass within a vicinity of the ports  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5B , a support vessel  520 - 1  engages with a plurality of carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  and departs from the port  530 - 1 , such as by way of the Government Cut or the Norris Cut between Biscayne Bay and the Straits of Florida, toward a disengagement point P 5A  within the current  504 - 1 . The support vessel  520 - 1  may engage with the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  in tension, e.g., by way of a plurality of lines or other connectors joining the support vessel  520 - 1  to one or more of the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3 , or in direct contact with one another. In some embodiments, the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  may contain the same item, and each of such items may be intended for a common destination. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  may each contain different items, or be intended for different destinations. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5C , the support vessel  520 - 1  and the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  approach the disengagement point P 5A . In some embodiments, the support vessel  520 - 1  may execute any number of maneuvers to align the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  with a direction of travel of the current  504 - 1 , or to otherwise prepare or position the support vessel  520 - 1  for disengagement within the current  504 - 1 . As is shown in  FIG. 5D , upon disengaging from the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3 , the support vessel  520 - 1  may return to the port  530 - 1 , or travel to another location, as the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  begin to drift within the current  504 - 1 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5E , a time at which the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  are scheduled to arrive at an engagement point P 5B  within the current  504 - 1  that is associated with the port  530 - 2  may be predicted based on the flow conditions of the currents  504 - 1 ,  504 - 2 , as well as any prevailing or anticipated weather conditions between the ports  530 - 1 ,  530 - 2 . For example, as is shown in  FIG. 5E , a distance to the engagement point P 5B  may be predicted, and an estimated time of arrival at the engagement point P 5B , e.g., eighteen days and seven hours, may be determined where the flow rate of the currents  504 - 1 ,  504 - 2  is known or reasonably predictable, e.g., based on aerial imagery, machine learning models, previously observed conditions, or any other factors. In some embodiments, when a carrying vessel or vessels is determined to be ahead of or behind schedule, or to have deviated from a track associated with a naturally occurring aquatic flow path, a time of arrival or a route of the carrying vessel may be updated accordingly. Alternatively, a support vessel may be dispatched to reposition the carrying vessel with respect to a naturally occurring flow path, or into a new natural occurring flow path, as necessary. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 5F , a support vessel  520 - 2  is positioned within a vicinity of the engagement point P 5B . The support vessel  520 - 2  may be stationed at a land-based location, e.g., the port  530 - 2 , or at any other location with respect to the current  504 - 2 . For example, in some embodiments, the support vessel  520 - 2  may be a selected one of a plurality of support vessels that is particularly suited to arrive at the engagement point P 5B  at the same time as the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3 , or prior to their arrival. As is shown in  FIG. 5G , upon the arrival of the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3  at the engagement point P 5B , the support vessel  520 - 2  may engage with one or more of the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3 , e.g., by direct contact, or with one or more lines or other connectors. As is shown in  FIG. 5H , after engaging with the carrying vessels  550 - 1 ,  550 - 2 ,  550 - 3 , the support vessel  520 - 2  departs from the engagement point P 5B  and begins to transit to the port  530 - 2 . 
     In addition to transferring a carrying vessel from a port into a naturally occurring aquatic flow path, or transferring a carrying vessel out of a naturally occurring aquatic flow path and to a port, a support vessel may transfer a plurality of carrying vessels from one naturally occurring aquatic flow path to another naturally occurring aquatic flow path. In this regard, a carrying vessel may travel around the Earth on various naturally occurring aquatic flow paths, by transferring the carrying vessel between such flow paths, until the carrying vessel is adjacent or sufficiently near an intended destination. Referring to  FIGS. 6A through 6E , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “6” in  FIGS. 6A through 6E  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “5” in  FIGS. 5A through 5H , by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 6A , a system  600  includes a carrying vessel  650  in transit on an ocean current  604 - 1 , and a port  630  within a vicinity of an ocean eddy  604 - 2 . For example, the carrying vessel  650  may travel at any flow rates and in directions that are defined naturally by the ocean current  604 - 1 , e.g., subject to any environmental, atmospheric or planetary factors. The current  604 - 1  flows in a generally southeastern direction, away from the port  630 , while the eddy  604 - 2  flows in a generally northeastern direction, toward the port  630 . 
     As is discussed above, a carrying vessel may be transferred from one naturally occurring aquatic flow path to another naturally occurring aquatic flow path, in order to cause the carrying vessel to travel in a desired direction or according to a desired route. One or more support vessels may intercept the carrying vessel and cause the carrying vessel to be transferred from one naturally occurring aquatic flow path to another. As is shown in  FIG. 6B , where one or more of the items that are stored on or being transported by the carrying vessel  650  are desired at the port  630 , a support vessel  620  may be used to transfer the carrying vessel  650  from the current  604 - 1  to the eddy  604 - 2 , which will transport the carrying vessel  650  to a vicinity of the port  630 . 
     For example, as is shown in  FIG. 6B , the support vessel  620  is programmed to proceed to a first intercept point P 6A  along a path of the carrying vessel  650  within the current  604 - 1  and to intercept the carrying vessel  650  there. A location of the first intercept point P 6A  may be selected on any basis, including but not limited to a distance from the support vessel  620  to the first intercept point P 6A , a flow rate or velocity of the current  604 - 1  at the first intercept point P 6A , an estimated time of arrival of the carrying vessel  650  at the first intercept point P 6A , a distance from the first intercept point P 6A  to another flow path or other destination, or any other factor. Likewise, the support vessel  620  may be further programmed to proceed from the first intercept point P 6A  to a second intercept point P 6B  within the eddy  604 - 2 . A location of the second intercept point P 6B  may be selected on any basis, including but not limited to a distance from the first intercept point P 6A  to the second intercept point P 6B , a flow rate or velocity of the eddy  604 - 2  at the second intercept point P 6B , an estimated time of arrival of the carrying vessel  650  at the second intercept point P 6B , or a distance from the second intercept point P 6B  to the port  630  or another destination. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 6C , upon the arrival of the carrying vessel  650  at the first intercept point P 6A , the support vessel  620  engages with the carrying vessel  650  and transfers the carrying vessel  650  out of the current  604 - 1 . As is shown in  FIG. 6D , the support vessel  620  then transports the carrying vessel  650  into the flow of the eddy  604 - 2  by traveling toward the second intercept point P 6B . As is shown in  FIG. 6E , with the carrying vessel  650  within the eddy  604 - 2 , the support vessel  620  disengages from the carrying vessel  650 , and departs from the eddy  604 - 2 . The support vessel  620  then proceeds out of the eddy  604 - 2 , while the carrying vessel  650  is permitted to travel at flow rates and in directions that are defined naturally by the eddy  604 - 2 , e.g., toward the port  630 , where another support vessel (not shown) may be stationed and configured to remove the carrying vessel  650  from the eddy  604 - 2 , and to transfer the carrying vessel  650  from the eddy  604 - 2  to the port  630 . 
     As is discussed above, the carrying vessels of the present disclosure may be outfitted with any number of sensors for capturing information or data while the carrying vessels travel on one or more naturally occurring aquatic flow paths. For example, flow rates and directions of naturally occurring aquatic flows may be determined in any manner and based on any information or data, such as images captured using aerial vehicles or satellites, historically observed flow rates, or any other information or data. In some embodiments, flow rates may be determined using one or more machine learning systems or techniques. For example, where a plurality of carrying vessels or other vessels are traveling along gyres, currents, eddies or other naturally occurring aquatic flows, objective information or data such as positions of such carrying vessels and times associated with such positions, as well as subjective data such as carrying vessel dimensions, net masses of items carried, and others may be determined. Alternatively, a carrying vessel may be outfitted to take bathymetric readings (e.g., bottom soundings) to determine depth below a keel of the carrying vessels, or to capture imaging data from which plant life, aquatic life, or other seagoing vessels may be identified. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A through 7E , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “7” in  FIGS. 7A through 7E  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “6” in  FIGS. 6A through 6E , by the number “5” in  FIGS. 5A through 5H , by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 7A , a carrying vessel  750 - i  having a mass M i , a length l i , a width w i , and a height h i  is shown. The carrying vessel  750 - i  includes a plurality of imaging devices  751 - 1 ,  751 - 2 ,  751 - 3  and a bottom sounder (or echo sounder)  751 - 4 . The carrying vessel  750 - i  is traveling at a velocity Vi and is configured to receive and interpret signals from one or more GPS satellites  785 . The carrying vessel  750 - i  is further configured to determine a position based on such signals, and report the position, as well as its mass M i , its length l i , its width w i , its height h i  and its velocity V i  on any given date and at any given time to one or more external computer systems, e.g., over a network  780 , on a synchronous or asynchronous basis. The carrying vessel  750 - i  may be configured to capture imaging data, e.g., by the imaging devices  751 - 1 ,  751 - 2 ,  751 - 3 , and to process such imaging data to recognize any objects (such as plant life, aquatic life, or other vessels). The carrying vessel  750 - i  may also be configured to determine a sounding, or a measurement of a depth of water below the hull of the carrying vessel  750 - i , e.g., by the bottom sounder  751 - 4 , as well as water temperatures, wind conditions, wave heights, freeboard distances, angular orientation data, or any other information or data regarding the motion of the carrying vessel  750 - i  within one or more naturally occurring aquatic flows. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 7B , a plurality of carrying vessels  750 - 1 ,  750 - 2 ,  750 - 3 ,  750 - 4 ,  750 - 5 ,  750 - 6  may be configured to transmit information or data regarding their respective operations to a server  792  associated with a vehicle monitoring system or other system over the network  780 . In particular, each of the carrying vessels  750 - 1 ,  750 - 2 ,  750 - 3 ,  750 - 4 ,  750 - 5 ,  750 - 6  or any support vessels or other vessels (not shown) may be configured to transmit information regarding their respective positions at selected times or on selected dates, as well as any other information or data regarding their operations, including but not limited to their respective dimensions, masses, or velocities, as well as conditions affecting travel on the water, such as soundings, temperatures, wind speeds and directions, wave heights, and other information or data. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 7C , upon receiving the information or data from the various carrying vessels  750 - 1 ,  750 - 2 ,  750 - 3 ,  750 - 4 ,  750 - 5 ,  750 - 6 , the server  792  is configured to execute one or more machine learning systems or techniques on such information or data, and to determine flow conditions of one or more gyres or currents, or any other naturally occurring aquatic flow paths, based on outputs received from such systems or techniques. In some embodiments, the machine learning systems or techniques may include one or more artificial neural networks that are trained to map inputted data to desired outputs by adjusting strengths of connections between one or more neurons, which are sometimes called synaptic weights. Such artificial neural networks may have any number of layers, including an input layer, an output layer, and any number of intervening hidden layers. Each of the neurons in a layer within an artificial neural network may receive an input and generate an output in accordance with an activation or energy function, with parameters corresponding to the various strengths or synaptic weights. 
     In some embodiments, an artificial neural network may be a heterogeneous neural network, and each of the neurons within the network may be understood to have different activation or energy functions. The artificial neural network may be trained by redefining or adjusting strengths or weights of connections between neurons in the various layers of the network, in order to provide an output that most closely approximates or associates with the input to the maximum practicable extent. In some embodiments, an artificial neural network may be characterized as either feedforward neural networks or recurrent neural networks, and may be fully or partially connected. In a feedforward neural network, e.g., a convolutional neural network, information may specifically flow in one direction from an input layer to an output layer, while in a recurrent neural network, at least one feedback loop returns information regarding the difference between the actual output and the targeted output for training purposes. Additionally, in a fully connected neural network architecture, each of the neurons in one of the layers is connected to all of the neurons in a subsequent layer. By contrast, in a sparsely connected neural network architecture, the number of activations of each of the neurons is limited, such as by a sparsity parameter. 
     An artificial neural network may be trained in any manner, such as by supervised or unsupervised learning, or by backpropagation, or in any other manner. Once a neural network has been trained to recognize dominant characteristics of an input of a training set, e.g., to associate a point or a set of data such as an image with a label to within an acceptable tolerance, an input in the form of a data point may be provided to the trained network, and a label may be identified based on the output thereof. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 7D , the carrying vessels  750 - 1 ,  750 - 2 ,  750 - 3 ,  750 - 4 ,  750 - 5 ,  750 - 6  or any support vessels or other vessels (not shown) may further report information or data regarding locations of objects observed or otherwise detected in imaging data or other information or data. For example, as is shown in  FIG. 7D , one or more of the carrying vessels  750 - 1 ,  750 - 2 ,  750 - 3 ,  750 - 4 ,  750 - 5 ,  750 - 6  may report positions of an iceberg, schools of fish, vessels that are stranded or otherwise restricted in their ability to maneuver, illicit activity (e.g., at-sea piracy), or protected animal species. Information regarding positions of such events or circumstances may be used for any purpose, such as collision avoidance, law enforcement, ecological protection, fishing, or any other purpose. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 7E , the carrying vessels  750 - 1 ,  750 - 2 ,  750 - 3 ,  750 - 4 ,  750 - 5 ,  750 - 6  may also capture and report bathymetric readings (e.g., bottom soundings) regarding locations within a vicinity of their respective routes on one or more naturally occurring aquatic flow paths. Such bathymetric readings may be used for any purpose, including but not limited to the safe navigation of the oceans by the carrying vessels  750 - 1 ,  750 - 2 ,  750 - 3 ,  750 - 4 ,  750 - 5 ,  750 - 6 , or any support vessels or any other vessels (not shown). 
     As is discussed above, where an optimal route including one or more naturally occurring aquatic flow paths is selected for one or more carrying vessels, positions of the carrying vessels may be monitored to determine whether the carrying vessels remain on tracks (e.g., sets of expected positions) associated with such flow paths, or whether the carrying vessels have veered, strayed, drifted or otherwise moved off such tracks. Where a carrying vessel is not located in an expected position, e.g., on an expected track associated with a naturally occurring flow path, a support vessel may be dispatched to retrieve the carrying vessel or otherwise position the carrying vessel within a naturally occurring aquatic flow path. Additionally, a track or other set of positions associated with a naturally occurring aquatic flow path may be adjusted accordingly, or a new route or path may be selected for the carrying vessel. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart  800  of one process for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. 
     At box  810 , items are loaded onto a carrying vessel at a port of origin, and at box  820 , a route for transporting the items from the port of origin to a port of destination via n seawater flow paths is determined. The carrying vessel may be any type or form of seagoing vessel that is configured to receive items thereon, and the route may be determined according to any number of optimal route or optimal path techniques, based on timely and relevant information regarding gyres, currents and/or eddies or other seawater flow paths within a vicinity of the port of origin, the port of destination or therebetween. 
     At box  830 , a value of a step variable i is set to equal one, or i=1. At box  840 , the carrying vessel enters a seawater flow path i, e.g., by one or more support vessels, which may be selected on any basis, and may engage with the carrying vessel in any manner, such as by any number of lines, chains or any other connections, or by direct contact. At box  842 , positions of the carrying vessel are tracked over time and compared to predicted positions on a track of the seawater flow path i. For example, where a speed and a direction of flow are predicted for a gyre, a current or an eddy, a position of a vessel, such as a carrying vessel, within the gyre, the current or the eddy may be predicted by dead reckoning or another technique. An actual position of the vessel may also be determined at a given time, e.g., by one or more sensors, such as a GPS receiver, and compared to the predicted position at that time. 
     At box  844 , whether the carrying vessel is on the track associated with the seawater flow path i is determined. If the carrying vessel is not on the track, then the process advances to box  850 , where a support vessel is dispatched to return the carrying vessel to the seawater flow path i. For example, the support vessel may travel to a rendezvous point, or an engagement point, and engage with the carrying vessel by one or more lines, by direct contact, or in any other manner. Alternatively, the support vessel may be dispatched to transfer the carrying vessel into a different seawater flow path, or to return to port with the carrying vessel. 
     At box  852 , the track of the seawater flow path i is updated, e.g., based on the difference between the predicted position of the carrying vessel and the actual position of the carrying vessel. For example, the difference in the respective positions may imply that that actual flow rates of the seawater flow path i are different from previously predicted flow rates, or that actual flow directions are different from previously predicted flow directions, due to any number of temporary or long-term factors. 
     At box  846 , after the carrying vessel is determined to be on the track of the seawater flow path i, or after the carrying vessel has been returned to the track of the seawater flow path i, the arrival of the carrying vessel at a waypoint i is determined. For example, the arrival may be determined using the one or more sensors that tracked the position of the carrying vessel at box  842 , or any other sensors. 
     At box  860 , whether the value of i is equal to n, or whether the seawater flow path i is the final flow path of the route determined at box  820 , is determined. If the value if i is not equal to n, then the process advances to box  870 , where the value of i is incremented by one, or is set to equal i+1, before returning to box  840 , where the carrying vessel enters the seawater flow path i. If the value if i is equal to n, such that the seawater flow path i is the final flow path of the route determined at box  820 , then the process advances to box  880 , where the carrying vessel is transferred to the port of destination, e.g., by one or more support vessels, and the process ends. 
     As is discussed above, positions of carrying vessels within naturally occurring seawater flow paths may be monitored and, if necessary, the carrying vessels may be repositioned or tracks associated with such flow paths may be adjusted where the carrying vessels are not located in their predicted locations. Referring to  FIGS. 9A through 9F , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “9” in  FIGS. 9A through 9F  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “7” in  FIGS. 7A through 7E , by the number “6” in  FIGS. 6A through 6E , by the number “5” in  FIGS. 5A through 5H , by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 9A , a support vessel  920 - 1  delivers a carrying vessel  950  from a port  930 - 1 , viz., Cape May, N.J., to a flow path  904  within the Atlantic Ocean. As is shown in  FIG. 9B , the support vessel  920 - 1  disengages from the carrying vessel  950  with the carrying vessel  950  within the flow path  904 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 9C , the carrying vessel  950  deviates from an expected track within the flow path  904 , e.g., by veering, drifting or otherwise straying off course, and a support vessel  920 - 2  is dispatched from another port  930 - 2 , viz., New London, Conn., to rendezvous with the carrying vessel  950 . For example, the carrying vessel  950  may have deviated from the expected track for any reason, including but not limited to temporary (e.g., unexpected or seasonal) variations in surface conditions, or due to errors in models or other techniques by which the track of the flow path  904  was determined, or any other reason. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 9D , the support vessel  920 - 2  repositions the carrying vessel  950  to a location closer to the track of the flow path  904 . As is shown in  FIG. 9E , the support vessel  920 - 2  disengages from the carrying vessel  950 , with the carrying vessel  950  located along the track of the flow path  904 . In some embodiments, the support vessel  920 - 2  or the carrying vessel  950  may transmit information or data regarding positions at which the support vessel  920 - 2  engaged with the carrying vessel  950 , or disengaged from the carrying vessel  950 , to one or more external computer devices or systems, e.g., over a network. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 9F , the track of the flow path  904  may be updated to a new flow path  904 ′ based on the drifting of the carrying vessel  950 , and the repositioning of the carrying vessel  950  by the support vessel  920 - 2 . 
     As is discussed above, one or more carrying vessels of the present disclosure may be configured to remove items from bodies of water, e.g., by one or more engagement systems, as the carrying vessels travel along a naturally occurring flow path or in any other location. Referring to  FIG. 10 , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “10” in  FIG. 10  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “9” in  FIGS. 9A  through  9 F, by the number “7” in  FIGS. 7A through 7E , by the number “6” in  FIGS. 6A through 6E , by the number “5” in  FIGS. 5A through 5H , by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 10 , a carrying vessel  1050  includes an engagement system  1059 , e.g., a robotic arm, having a length or other operating range that is sufficiently long to reach into a body of water on which the carrying vessel  1050  travels. For example, the engagement system  1059  may include one or more controllers, arms, end effectors, joints, drive units, support units or other systems that enable the engagement system  1059  to contact, grasp and raise any number of objects floating within the water, or to deposit such items into one or more storage compartments or cargo bays aboard the carrying vessel  1050 . Such objects may include garbage, trash, rubbish or the like that is more appropriately disposed of on land or in other locations. Alternatively, the objects may include plant life, aquatic life, or any other objects that are identified as floating within the body of water in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     For example, in some embodiments, after a barge or another carrying vessel has delivered one or more items to a port by way of one or more gyres, currents, eddies or other naturally occurring aquatic flow paths, the carrying vessel may be returned to one or more naturally occurring flow paths, and may travel along such flow paths to return to a port from which the barge or the other carrying vessel originated. While traveling along such paths, the barge or other carrying vessel may capture information or data regarding conditions within such flow paths, including but not limited to imaging data, bathymetric readings, or any other data. The carrying vessel may be configured to capture such information or data as a primary function, e.g., where the carrying vessel is not carrying any materials or other items, or as a secondary function, e.g., while the carrying vessel is carrying materials or other items. 
     As is discussed above, the carrying vessels of the present disclosure may be outfitted with one or more automated fabricators, e.g., 3D printers, or tooling equipment that may be configured to manufacture or otherwise create one or more objects from materials aboard the carrying vessels. Because transportation on gyres, currents, eddies or other naturally occurring aquatic flow paths may take days, weeks or months, depending on the distances traveled, outfitting a carrying vessel with one or more automated fabricators or other tooling equipment enables items to be manufactured from raw materials during substantial lead times prior to the carrying vessel&#39;s arrival at one or more intended destinations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A through 11E , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “11” in  FIGS. 11A through 11E  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “10” in  FIG. 10 , by the number “9” in  FIGS. 9A through 9F , by the number “7” in  FIGS. 7A through 7E , by the number “6” in  FIGS. 6A through 6E , by the number “5” in  FIGS. 5A through 5H , by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 11A , a barge (or another carrying vessel)  1150  is loaded with an automated fabricator and lignum vitae wood  11 - 1  at a port  1130 - 1 , viz., Freeport, the Bahamas, near a current  1104 , viz., the Gulf Stream. The barge  1150  is towed into the current  1104  by one or more towboats  1120 - 1  or other support vessels, and is configured for travel to a port  1130 - 2 , viz., New York, N.Y., by way of the current  1104 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 11B , the barge  1150  further includes an automated fabricator  1157  and an engagement system  1159 . The automated fabricator  1157  may be programmed to execute any functions or processes for manufacturing items from the wood  11 - 1 , using one or more filaments, heads, blades, nozzles, motors, rollers, heat sources, radiation sources or other elements. For example, as is shown in  FIG. 11C , the automated fabricator  1157  may be programmed to manufacture one or more articles, e.g., furniture  11 - 2 , using the wood  11 - 1  and any fasteners, paints or stains, or other materials or substances that may also be carried aboard the barge  1150 . The engagement system  1159  may include one or more robotic arms for engaging with the wood  11 - 1 , such as to select one or more pieces of the wood  11 - 1 , and to orient or position the wood  11 - 1  within the automated fabricator  1157  in accordance with one or more operations to be performed therein. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 11D , the barge  1150  is retrieved by one or more towboats  1120 - 1  or other support vessels within a vicinity of the port  1130 - 2  after the furniture  11 - 2  has been manufactured from the wood  11 - 1 . As is shown in  FIG. 11E , upon arriving at the port  1130 - 2 , the furniture  11 - 2  is offloaded from the barge  1150  and transported to one or more destinations, e.g., by a ground vehicle  1175 . 
     As is also discussed above, the carrier vehicles of the present disclosure may be barges or other surface vessels that are configured for travel on surfaces of bodies of water, and also submersibles that are configured for travel below surfaces of the bodies of water, such as where gyres, currents, eddies or other naturally occurring aquatic flow paths reside below such surfaces and may readily transport one or more items underwater, if conditions are more advantageous underwater than on such surfaces. Referring to  FIGS. 12A through 12E , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Except where otherwise noted, reference numerals preceded by the number “12” in  FIGS. 12A through 12E  refer to elements that are similar to elements having reference numerals preceded by the number “11” in  FIGS. 11A through 11E , by the number “10” in  FIG. 10 , by the number “9” in  FIGS. 9A through 9F , by the number “7” in  FIGS. 7A through 7E , by the number “6” in  FIGS. 6A through 6E , by the number “5” in  FIGS. 5A through 5H , by the number “3” in  FIGS. 3A through 3F , by the number “2” in  FIG. 2A  or  FIG. 2B  or by the number “1” shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1L . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 12A , views of aspects of one system for ocean-based storage and distribution of items in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. As is shown in  FIG. 12A , a support vessel  1220  (e.g., a towboat, a tugboat, a pusher or a puller) is aligned alongside a carrying vessel  1250  at a port  1230 . The support vessel  1220  may be any manned or autonomous seagoing vessels that are sufficiently capable of pulling or pushing other vessels, such as the carrying vessel  1250 , while traveling on or below the surfaces of the Earth&#39;s oceans or other bodies of water. The port  1230  may include any number of systems for loading items onto, or providing services to, the support vessel  1220  or the carrying vessel  1250 , and may be associated with a fulfillment center, a warehouse, or any other like facility. 
     The carrying vessel  1250  may be any seagoing vessel that is configured to travel on or below surfaces of one or more bodies of water, and to carry one or more items therein. In some embodiments, the carrying vessel  1250  may be a submersible having a hull resistant to pressures that may be anticipated at any depth within which the carrying vessel  1250  is expected to operate, along with one or more ballast tanks that may be filled with water or emptied, as necessary, to increase or decrease a weight of the carrying vessel  1250  accordingly. The carrying vessel  1250  may further include, within the hull, any number of trusses, stanchions or bulkheads, as well as any number of decks, cargo bays or other storage compartments for receiving and storing items therein, or distributing items therefrom. The carrying vessel  1250  may further include any releasably sealable hatches that may be operated to open or close the hull, as necessary, to receive items therein or to remove items therefrom, and to ensure that the hull may withstand pressures on or below a surface of water. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 12B , after loading the carrying vessel  1250  with items and sealing the hatches, the support vessel  1220  transports the carrying vessel  1250  from the port  1230  to a sufficiently deep portion of a body of water, such as where one or more naturally occurring flow paths are known or believed to exist below a surface of the body of water. As is further shown in  FIG. 12B , with a density ρ VESSEL  of the carrying vessel  1250  less than a density ρ H2O  of water, the carrying vessel  1250  will float on the surface of the water. 
     As is shown in  FIG. 12C , upon arriving at a location above a naturally occurring aquatic flow path  1204  at a depth d below the surface, the carrying vessel  1250  may open one or more ballast tank valves to release air pressure from ballast tanks, and to receive water therein, thereby increasing the mass of the carrying vessel  1250  until the density ρ VESSEL  of the carrying vessel  1250  exceeds the density ρ H2O  of water, and the carrying vessel  1250  begins to descend. As is shown in  FIG. 12D , when the carrying vessel  1250  reaches the depth d of the naturally occurring aquatic flow path  1204 , water may be discharged from the carrying vessel  1250  until the density ρ VESSEL  of the carrying vessel  1250  substantially equals the density ρ H2O  of water, such that the carrying vessel  1250  is neutrally buoyant. As is shown in  FIG. 12E , with the carrying vessel  1250  neutrally buoyant, the carrying vessel  1250  flows along with the naturally occurring aquatic flow path  1204 . Upon arriving at a rendezvous point, e.g., with a support vessel (not shown) awaiting on a surface above, the carrying vessel  1250  may pump or blow water from the ballast tanks, thereby causing the density ρ VESSEL  of the carrying vessel  1250  to fall below the density ρ H2O  of water. When the carrying vessel  1250  rises to a surface of the water, the support vessel may engage with the carrying vessel  1250 , and transfer the carrying vessel  1250  to a port, to a location of another naturally occurring aquatic flow path, or to any other location. 
     Although some of the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein depict the use of carrying vessels or other seagoing vessels in the distribution or forward-deployment of inventory of items that are made available to customers through online marketplaces, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will recognize that the systems and methods of the present disclosure are not so limited. Rather, carrying vessels or other seagoing vessels may be used to distribute or forward-deploy inventory that may be made available through traditional commercial channels, e.g., by telephone or in one or more bricks-and-mortar stores, and delivered to customers or designated locations rapidly in response to orders for such items. Moreover, although some of the embodiments of the present disclosure depict carrying vessels of standard sizes, shapes or capacities, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will recognize that the systems and methods of the present disclosure are not so limited. Rather, autonomous vehicles may be of any size, shape or capacity, and may be configured or outfitted with features that enable the distribution, delivery, retrieval or manufacture of items of any type or kind, and of any size or shape, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, although some embodiments of the present disclosure reference the storage and distribution of discretized items aboard carrying vessels at sea, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will recognize that the carrying vessels disclosed herein may be used to store and/or distribute not only discretized items but also non-discretized items, goods, commodities, ores or any other substances or materials in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     Although some embodiments of the present disclosure show the distribution or forward deployment of items to one or more locations based on known, observed or predicted demand using carrying vessels or like vessels, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are not so limited. Rather, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be utilized in any environment where the improved distribution of items is desired. 
     Furthermore, although some embodiments of the present disclosure show the distribution and storage of items via the Earth&#39;s oceans, those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts will recognize that such systems and methods are not so limited. For example, one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein may be operated in connection with carrying vessels or other vessels traveling on not only seawater but also freshwater, e.g., rivers, lakes, streams or ponds, such as where flow rates or directions of paths of the freshwater are known. In particular, one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein may be utilized in connection with a river or other body of water that empties into an ocean or other body of water. For example, a route for transporting items from a fulfillment center or other source that is located at or near a river having a known flow path may include the river, at least in part, as well as one or more gyres, currents or eddies of an ocean into which the river empties. One or more items that are placed onto a carrying vessel at the source on the river may be transported throughout the world, where the carrying vessel is configured to travel along the known flow path of the river and into an ocean having gyres, currents or eddies with known flow rates. 
     It should be understood that, unless otherwise explicitly or implicitly indicated herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein, and that the drawings and detailed description of the present disclosure are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives to the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, with respect to the one or more methods or processes of the present disclosure described herein, including but not limited to the flow charts shown in  FIG. 4 or 8 , orders in which such methods or processes are presented are not intended to be construed as any limitation on the claimed inventions, and any number of the method or process steps or boxes described herein can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the methods or processes described herein. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale. In the drawings, the use of the same or similar reference numbers in different figures indicates the same or similar items or features. Except where otherwise noted, left-most digit(s) of a reference number identify a figure in which the reference number first appears, while two right-most digits of a reference number in a figure indicate a component or a feature that is similar to components or features having reference numbers with the same two right-most digits in other figures. 
     Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey in a permissive manner that certain embodiments could include, or have the potential to include, but do not mandate or require, certain features, elements and/or steps. In a similar manner, terms such as “include,” “including” and “includes” are generally intended to mean “including, but not limited to.” Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     The elements of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module stored in one or more memory devices and executed by one or more processors, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, media, or physical computer storage known in the art. An example storage medium can be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The storage medium can be volatile or nonvolatile. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal. 
     Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” or “at least one of X, Y and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present. 
     Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B and C” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C. 
     Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “nearly” or “substantially” as used herein, represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “nearly” or “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to illustrative embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.