Patent ID: 7159526

Claim:
A bumper system for a vessel comprising: a bumper plate having a generally “L” shaped cross-section formed by first and second portions, said first portion of said generally “L” shaped bumper plate disposed horizontally proximate a top region of said bumper and configured to serve as a step for entrance to and exit from said vessel, said second portion coupled to said first portion forming said generally “L” shaped cross-section and configured to serve as a bumper element; and a positioning mechanism secured to said bumper plate and said vessel, said position mechanism configured to move said bumper plate between a retracted position wherein said bumper plate is disposed proximate said vessel when said bumper system is not in use and an extended position wherein said bumper plate is disposed generally distal from said vessel when said bumper system is in use and wherein in said distal position, said bumper plate is configured to serve both as a bumper and a step.