Patent ID: 8267029

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a hatch comprising a top and a bottom surface; at least one latching mechanism, said latching mechanism comprising: at least one housing extending generally outwardly from said bottom surface of said hatch, said at least one housing comprising at least one opening; at least one strong back extending generally parallel to said bottom surface, wherein at least a portion of said strong back is configured to be at least partially received within said opening in said at least one housing; at least one actuator; and a control mechanism configured to selectively either supply hydraulic pressure to said actuator to urge said strong back towards said bottom surface of said hatch or selectively cause said actuator to urge said strong back away from said bottom surface of said hatch when said control mechanism is coupled to a source of hydraulic pressure; a recess disposed in said top surface of said hatch; a lid configured to generally cover said recess; and at least one coupler, configured to be coupled to said supply of hydraulic pressure, disposed in said recess.