Abstract:
An underwater viewing boat has a large top surface and a convenient large port opening onto an underwater viewing cage extending downwardly from the boat. The top of the viewing cage remains open such that free entry or exit therefrom is available. Preferably the cage is movable between a raised transport position and a downwardly extending viewing position. The participants use a hookah respiratory system which is safe and does not require extensive training.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present is related to a safe method and system for allowing relatively unskilled users to experience underwater wildlife and while maintaining personal safety.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Increasingly people and in particular tourists, are seeking different or unique experiences as part of a holiday package. Activities where animals are observed in their natural environment are being proposed in contrast to traditional zoos. This type of activity introduces an additional element of danger and the challenge is to provide this natural experience without undue risk.  
           [0003]    Scuba diving is a popular activity and allows the participant to experience underwater life essentially first hand. Unfortunately, this activity has inherent risk particularly for those that are relatively unskilled. Snorkeling provides a more controlled alternative but the type of activities which can be experienced are more limited.  
           [0004]    One of the more thrilling activities to observe is shark feeding. Sharks, perhaps due to their predatory nature and unpredictability hold a unique fascination for many people. Shark feeding is best observed underwater and typically in a shark cage. It is certainly known to observe sharks by having individuals who are qualified, use scuba gear and a shark cage which is lowered from a side of boat and suspended in the water. This type of activity requires scuba training and certification and is only available to a limited group.  
           [0005]    It would be desirable to provide a system which allows effective shark viewing in a protective environment without extensive scuba training and certification and in a manner to make this type of activity available to a wider range of people.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides a boat for underwater viewing comprising an above water platform and access port through the platform in combination with a protective cage extending below the boat and aligned with the access port. The cage includes an open top aligned with the access port and extending downwardly from this access to form an underwater extension of the port. Basically, the cage is open on the top side such that a user can freely enter or exit from the cage at will. The cage is preferably of a height to extend approximately eight feet below the boat and preferably sized to allow a number of users to comfortably occupy the cage.  
           [0007]    In an aspect of the invention, a compressed air respiratory system is provided for each user. In a preferred embodiment this is a hookah respiratory system.  
           [0008]    With the boat of the present invention, it is possible for a number of users to be topside on the boat and take turns if they desire to enter the protective cage which is extending below the boat. With the preferred type of respiratory system no certification or licensing is necessary and due to the limited depth below the surface of the cage there are no substantial diving difficulties. If the user becomes Closter phobic he can merely surface within the cage and return to the platform of the boat.  
           [0009]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention at least one underwater camera is provided with a display provided on the boat to allow viewing of the underwater area about the boat.  
           [0010]    In yet a further aspect of the invention further camera provides monitoring of the occupants of the cage.  
           [0011]    In yet a further aspect of the invention the cage is moveable between a transport position where the cage is generally above the waterline to a viewing position where the cage extends from the access port below the boat.  
           [0012]    With this system the water can be baited to attract sharks and the viewers can witness from the safety of the cage the actual feeding activities of the sharks. Although the boat has particular application for shark viewing, a host of other underwater application are included. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings wherein;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a boat modified to receive the open top shark cage;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the boat of FIG. 1 with the cage in the viewing position;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevation with the shark cage in the viewing condition;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an end view with the shark cage in a raised position; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a partial view of the mounted shark cage and the excess part 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]    The shark diving vehicle shown in FIG. 1 is a pontoon boat  2  having a diving access port  10 . The pontoon structure is certainly appropriate for this activity but other boat structures are also appropriate, such as a catamaran, barge or other suitable structure. In addition, the boat may be self-propelled or may be a structure which is towed and typically anchored at the viewing site. The pontoon boat has not shown any independent propulsion or steerage merely for clarity of understanding.  
         [0020]    The boat  2  includes the space pontoons  4  and a center support structure to which the platform  8  is secured. The access port  10  is provided within the platform  8  and within the interior of the boat  2 . A shark cage  12  or other protective structure is movable from the viewing position of FIG. 3 to the raised transport position of FIG. 4. It is typically slidably supported within the access port  10  and a mechanical drive arrangement  30  is provided for moving the cage  12  between the two positions.  
         [0021]    The shark cage  12 , as shown in FIG. 3, extends downwardly from the access port  10  and preferably extends approximately eight to ten feet below the waterline. The shark cage  12  has an open top such that participants in the cage can freely exit the cage through the access port  10 . This is particularly desirable as many participants may experience some claustrophobia and the ability to freely exit the cage will reduce this stress. The shark diving vehicle is preferably equipped with a hookah compressed air respiratory system  20  with a plurality of individual respiratory lines  22  extending to the participants through the access port  10 .  
         [0022]    The hookah compressed air respiratory system provides compressed air at the appropriate pressure and gas mixture to the participants. Breathing is conducted in a more or less normal manner and due to the limited depths there is no danger with respect to a sudden exit from the underwater viewing position. To assist the individual participants, ladders may be provided at the corners of the cage to allow convenient access and egress.  
         [0023]    Other respiratory systems could also be used such as scuba, snuba and snorkel systems. Any suitable respiratory system can be used.  
         [0024]    The shark diving vehicle is either driven to a baited site or is already anchored at a baited site such that the area will have attracted a number of sharks or other wildlife of interest. The vehicle can be appropriately anchored and the participants can then enter the sharks cage after brief introduction to the respiratory system. Each participant views the shark feeding activity from beneath the shark diving vehicle. The participants are protected by the shark diving cage and can freely exit the cage if desired. Typically, four participants can be accommodated in the cage. The boat can be equipped with an underwater camera  14  or a series of underwater cameras which allow participants topside on the deck to observe the feeding activities through a monitor or a series of monitors  18 . A camera  16  is also provided which allows the operator to view the interior of the shark cage. In this way, the operator can monitor the participants and ensure that their various needs are met.  
         [0025]    As can be clearly appreciated from the drawings the above system provides a large top surface which accommodates a number of participants in combination with a large access port opening onto an underwater viewing structure. The sides of the cage as well as the bottom of the cage are all suitable for viewing.  
         [0026]    The underwater viewing arrangement has been described with respect to the viewing of sharks in a protected, safe environment but it is not limited to this application. The system can be used for viewing of many underwater creatures, i.e., whales, piranhas, alligators, crocodiles, stingrays, or where there is the possibility of a threat, or danger to the participants.  
         [0027]    Typically the vehicle will have a minimum of two deck hands with one of the deck hands monitoring the hookah respiratory system and one deck hand providing a assistance to the viewers awaiting their viewing experience and to monitor the viewers within the cage.  
         [0028]    The above deck monitors can also provide actual video footage from other dives, allow for playback of certain activities which occurred on the specific outing as well as provide background information and points of interest to observe.  
         [0029]    This allows people to be educated about underwater life and in particular sharks and their importance in the ecological balance of nature. This adds education and through education comes conservation of the importance of the sharks in the wheel balance of life. Through education comes understanding and conservation. Sharks are element in nature and to a large extent the public is not familiar with their contribution. Education is an important step which is made possible to tourists through this activity.  
         [0030]    Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.