Patent ID: 7669541

Claim:
A configurable, multi-function vessel comprising: a first pontoon barge having a plurality of connection members disposed on an inboard side thereof; a second pontoon barge disposed parallel to said first pontoon barge and having a plurality of connection members disposed on the inboard side thereof; a plurality of interconnecting barges disposed between the inboard sides of said first and second pontoon barges, wherein each of said plurality of interconnecting barges comprises a plurality of connection members disposed on opposite sides thereof and adjacent to the connection members on either said first or second pontoon barge; and a plurality of connectors that releasably couple adjacent connection members so that said pontoon barges and said interconnecting barges form a unitary, oceangoing vessel, said plurality of connectors comprising: a first plurality of bolts extending substantially normally between the inboard side of the first pontoon barge and one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in a first direction, the first plurality of bolts configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in the first direction; and a first shear pin extending in the first direction between the inboard side of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges, the first shear pin configured to resist loads resulting from relative movement of the first pontoon barge and the one of the plurality of interconnecting barges in a second direction normal to the first direction.