Patent ID: 8187045

Claim:
A vessel comprising: a. a wide hull having a low draft and an upper surface; b. at least one drive motor mounted to said hull; c. a propeller affixed to each of said at least one drive motor; d. at least one rudder positioned aft of each propeller for steering said hull; e. an articulating boom, pivotally attached to the upper surface of said hull, comprising: i. a first rigid member having a base and a distal end, wherein said base of said first rigid member rotates about vertical and horizontal axes intersecting said base; and ii. a second rigid member having a base and a distal end, wherein the base of said second member is pivotally attached to the distal end of said first rigid member, and said second rigid member pivots about a horizontal pivot axis between said first and second rigid members f. means for selectively moving said boom about said vertical and horizontal axes intersecting said base of said first rigid member; and g. means for selectively extending and retracting said articulating boom.