Patent ID: 6840189

Claim:
An apparatus for providing an air space around a submerged portion of a floating submarine comprising a generally cylindrical or sleeve-like or tubular housing locatable around a substantially cylindrical or tubular region of a hull of the submarine such that said housing extends completely around the exterior of said portion of the hull contained within said housing, said housing having an opening at at least one end which is locatable to be in sealing engagement with an outer surface of part of the hull of the submarine with said housing forming a water evacuable space around said region of the hull and any part or apparatus to be worked upon wherein a forward section of the housing has an opening therein to enable location over a rear section of the submarine, and an access passage or duct for work personnel in communication with said space and extending upwardly from said housing such as to be, in use, above the surface of the water in which the submarine is floating.