The Sea Dog

The Sea Dog is symmetric from end to end and is centrally propelled. It is to be 82 feet long with a top speed of at least 45 knots. It is designed to be fully operational in 40 foot seas and 65 knot winds. It can sling a 50 ton vessel or a fully loaded container. Fully loaded it draws about 11 inches. The bottom portions are teflon coated. The width (beam) of the craft can be routinely varied from 30 feet to 50+ feet. The craft can transport 40+ people (but not in much comfort).

The craft is designed for very foul weather. It is particularly stable in high seas and high winds. Surfers speak of surfing when the "surf is up." With this craft, crews will hunt storms just to be in them. In the open sea, it should be fine in winds of 70-85 knots.

The six supporting legs, three each side, are supported by flat-bottomed pontoons (two rows on each side, five articulating pontoons forming each row). The articulating legs allow the control pod to be lowered to the surface of the water (the distance between the two sets of pontoons can be varied).

The craft is powered by four wankel engines, each of which powers a DC generator. Retractable pairs of DC hydroelectric generators (a pair on each side; driven as motors), provide lengthwise power (in either direction). Four pairs of central water jet thrusters provide lateral thrust (as with bow thrusters). The unit easily moves laterally and it can turn on its own radius. The central elevatable control pod has two seats at each end (each of which can be converted to a bunk). Eight winches (using 1/2" cable) are located centrally in the bottom of the control pod (each set of four are used to operate and position a sling).

For rescue operations, the pilot operates the craft, positioning it relative to a distressed vessel. The copilot operates the rescue equipment (not shown) which is two pairs of sucker-crawler grippers (4 arms; 2 short, 2 long) -- the bow of the vessel is first grabbed by the long arms (on either side) and the sucker-crawlers advance toward the center of the vessel (like a snake eating prey). The short sucker-grippers then are attached and the distressed vessel is slung with the two slings (it sounds easy, but it is a tough undertaking requiring a lot of skill). When the vessel is fully secured, the crew shifts to the other end of the craft to operate it -- and either leaves the area or rides out the storm. For more information please see patent number 7,234,405 (USPTO; search or FreePatentsOnline).