CA1319569C

CA1319569C - Scuba diving platform

Info

Publication number: CA1319569C
Application number: CA000601177A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ron Cowalchuk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-05-31
Filing date: 1989-05-31
Publication date: 1993-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-29

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Scuba Diving Platform A retractable diving deck for scuba divers and the like is disclosed for mounting below a main deck suspended between at least two hull members, for example in a catamaran style craft. The deck is lowered into the water for use, and provides safe and simple access to the water for scuba and other shallow diving pursuits.
When retracted for sailing the deck is raised to become substantially part of the main deck.

Description

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1 31 q56~
This invention is concerned with boats which are used for scuba diving and related similar activities. In particular, this invention is concerned with providin~ safe and simple water access for persons involved in those activities.

Scuba diving and related other activities are commonly practised in an underwater environment in relatively shallow waters having a depth of generally less than 50 meters. Nevertheless, it is not necessarily also the case that these activities are confined to sheltered waters, as often places of interest to divers are in an area of relatively open sea, which is subject to significant water movement. At present, no steps appear to be taken ~o provide safe and easy access for scuba divers to the water, even though the diver may be encumbered with both protective clothing and breathing equipment of significant weight, which also significantly hinders movement out of the water. At present, the commonly used method to enter the water is for the user wearing the equipment simply to fall off a boat baclcwards into the water. Alternatively, the user may jump off the boat into the water. To leave the water, the user commonly still wearing all of the equipment simply clambers aboard somehow, often assisted by others on the boat. Neither of these procedures is either simple or particularly safe. For example, on entering the water a diver has to take care to fall in baclcwards.
This invention seeks to provide a boat hull arrangement which overcomes these difficulties, and which provides a safe and simple means for a scuba diver to both enter and leave the water.

At various times various proposals have been made to provide water access from boats of various types, including both multiple hulls, so-called "moon pool'l hulls, and horseshoe shaped hulls. Typical examples are as follows.

Coleman, US 4,267,851, discloses an underwater cruise device comprising a diving chair mounted on a telescoping boom. The diver does not leave the chair, with its life support systems, and can take over command of the boat. A catamaran style hull is mentioned.

1 31 ~56q Taylor, US 3,400,680, discloses a diving devlce conceptually similar to Coleman, providing a submersible diving chair, with life support systems, between the pontoons of a catamaran hull.

Creed, US 2,375,286, discloses a floating salvage platform using a hull related to the modern SWATH-type. A sunken object, such as a ship, can be retrieved from the sea floor and raised to a position between the hull pontoon members.

Schlichthorst, US 4,702,18~, discloses a catamaran hull with an overbridge including means, such as winches and the like, to raise and lower ob;ects, such as a bathysphere or deep sea submersible, from and into the water.

~cDermott & Co., West German 2,533,600 disclose a bouy retrieval system wherein a special cage is lowered between the hulls of a catamaran.

Flandin-Blety, France 2,583,707, discloses a diving chair9 operated by a winch and pulley system, which is lowered beneath the hull of a boat, and controlled by the diver working the winches. A diving bell is provided for the diver's head; the diver does not leave the chair.

Tamura, Japan 60-56695, discloses a catamaran wherein a wave shock absorbing member is provided under the bridge deck and which can be lowered into the water when the vessel is stationary. The construction of the member is such as to permit it when lowered into the water to function as a sea-anchor and stabilise the ship, by absorbing wave shocks. When the boat is in motion, the member protects the undersurface of the main deck from wave impacts.

Freeland, US 3,034,155, discloses a twin pontoon swi~ming raft, with a water access hole through its raft deck.

Popov, Russia 707,059, discloses a divers underwater hoist lowsrable through the hull of a ship, for greater diver safety in rough seas.

Kuo, US 4,312,287, discloses a ship having a moon pool which provides a calm water surface. Within the moon pool, a retrievable float or pontoon is provided, from which diving equipment can be separately lowered. The float is raised out of the water when the ship is under way. In use, the float is not connected to the ship.

Parsons, US ~,165,706, discloses a deep sea submersible vehicle operation system utilizing a conventional hull with a central deep-sea access aperture.

Ferris, US 3,503,357, discloses a ramp device which can be used as a floating dock for seaplanes. The ramp can be retrieved out of the water with an aircraft on it.

Storm, 11S 3,241,324, dlscloses a drill rig type platform, wherein a submersible worklng surface is attached to a non-floating operating stage.

Mayr, US 4,427,319, discloses an offshore construction in which a floatable platform is supported by support legs which are directly or indirectly on the sea floor. The support legs can be retracted to move the complete unit.

Thus none of these proposals either address the peculiar needs of those pursuing scuba diving and the like, nor do they appear to be readlly adaptable thereto.

In its broadest aspect this invention provides a diving platform, for use by scuba dlvers and the like~ comprising in combination: a main deck means supported above water level by each of at least two separate hull means;
a dlving deck means moveably positioned below the main deck, means to move the diving deck from a first storage position, to a second in-use position wherein at least part of the diving deck is below water level and is between two separate hull members; and on-board access means between the diving deck in its second position and the remainder of the boat.

Preferably, there are two hull means, and the boa~ is of either the catamaran or SWATH type.

Preferably, the diving deck comprises a plurality of panels, and wherein at least one of the separate panels, whilst remaining attached to the remainder of the deck, can be moved independantly relative to at least one of the other de~k panels.

Preferably, the diving deck is either lowered in a substantially vertical direction from a substantially horizontal storage position adjacent to the main deck, or is rotated about a snbstantially horizontal axis from a substantially vertical storage position on one of the hull means.

Preferably, the diving deck when in the second in-use position is located at the most stable point of the ship between the hulls.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of the attached schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a catamaran type hull, with the diving deck stored;
Figure 2 shows a catamaran type hull, with the diving deck lowered;

Figure 3 shows a SWATH or pontoon type hull~ with the diving deck raised;
Figure 4 shows a SWATH or pontoon type hull, with the diving deck lowered;
Figure 5 is a partially sectioned view of Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows in more detail a diving deck suitable for the arrangements in Figures 1 through 5.
In these figures, like parts are given the same numbers.

In these figures, only the parts of the boat pertinent to this invention are shown schematically. The remainder of the boat, such as further decks, lifeboats, cabins, power plant and so for-th are omitted for clarity.

Referring first to Figure 1, a catamaran style hull is shown generally at 1. This hull comprises a pair of hull members 3 and 4, ~oined together by a main bridging deck 5, which is situated clear of the water line shown nominally at 6. In the center of the main deck 5 is the diving deck, 7, which in this embodiment fits into the aperture 8 in the main deck 5. As shown, the deck is in its first storage position, with the access companionway shown schematically at 9 also retracted.

In Figure 2A the same hull is shown generally at 1, with the various other parts similarly numbered. However, the diving deck 7 is now lowered into its second in-use position below the main deck aperture 8. The companionway 9 has also been moved into an extended position and provides access to the lowered platform 7. As can be seen from Figure 2B, which is a head-on view of the hull as in Figure 2A on a reduced scale, the deck 7 when lowered is below the water level, as indicated by the water line 6.

In Figures 3, 4 and 5 an alternative SWATH-type hull construction is shown. This includes two underwater pontoons 11 and 12, which support the main deck 5 by way of the vertical structures 13 and 14 which, together with the pontoons 11 and 12, are immersed to the water line at 6. In Figure 3 the diving deck 15 is shown in its first storage position, as also is the companion way 16. In Figures 4 and 5 (which is a cutaway version of Figure 4) the diving deck is shown in its second in-use position. Referring to Figure 4 first, the diving deck has been moved to its second in-use position essentially by rotating it about an edge pivot essentially on the axis 17. As this axis is below the water line 6, the deck when rotated down is under water. After the diving deck has been moved into the second diving posltion the companionway 16 is moved into place to allow access to the diving deck.

There is one other difference between Figures 1 and 2 on the one hand, and Figures 3, 4 and 5 on the other: the only aperture needed in the main deck for Figures 3, 4 and 5 is that for the companionway 16. In practise, the aperture 8 is not a necessity, as the deck 7 can be retracted simply to be abutting to the underside of the deck 5. Furthermore, if desired, access to either the deck 7 or the deck 15 can be provided through the hull members themselves. The disadvantage with using the hull members to provide access is that apertures extending essentially below the water line 6 are needed, which might pose problems of hull safety. Means to pump out any such access areas would also be required to void them after use.

Nevertheless, it is contemplated as part of this invention that the hull members be used for storage purposes for gear and equip~ent needed by divers, especially the heavier items such as breathing equipment. Rather than fitting on all of this equipment on an above water open deck, with this invention a diver can fit on all of his equipment in the water on the deck, in a calm area of protected water, and then simply walk off the edge of the deck into the water. In a similar fashion other gear such as outboard motor powered inflatable boats can be stored in the hulls with direct convenient access from the diving deck. With a deck of the type discussed further below with reference to Figure 5, such a boat could be launched simply by lowering a diving deck panel.

Turning now to Figure 5 in rather more detail, and to Figure 6, in both cases the deck shown generally at 15 and at 18 can be seen to comprise several smaller panels. In Figure 5 there are three such (151, 152 and 153) where as in Figure 6 there are nine (181 through 189); the unlt of Figure 6 is primarily intended to be used with a hull arrangement as in Figures 1 and 2. The deck as a whole ls raised and lowered by hydraulic struts shown schematically at 19; similarly, hydraulic means are used to move the various panels. The details of this system are omitted for clarity. ~n interlock system would be desirable in the system, to prevent the deck 18 being fully retracted if any of the panels 181 through 189 are not in a flat configuration, although it is desirable to be able to move the deck to change its immersion depth without having to move all of the panels first.

In Figure 5 the deck is three components (which agaln are conveniently moved hydraulically) 151, 152 and 153 which in their turn are attached to the panel 154. The panel 154 is attached to the hull member 14, and rotates essentially along the axis 17 to return the whole diving deck to its first storage position. Each of the panels 151, 152 and 153 separately can also be moved relative to the panel 154 essentially on the axis 155. Thus as shown hatched, panels 152 and 153 could be lowered to provide an easy access slope into the water, or to provide boat launching facilities.

The diving deck shown in Figure 6 is rather more complicated. The only panel not capable of being moved independantly, if so desired, is the central one, 189. But even this can be angled, as the four hydraulic legs 19 can be independantly controlled. In theory, any of the outer panels 181 - 188 could be moved independantly of each of its neighbours, as indicated for panel 181. In practice more limited movement as shown for panels 183, 184 and 185 would suffice for most purposes. For example, the middle three panels 182, 189 and 186 could be located level, athwartship, with some of the fore and aft panels 183 - 185 and 181, 188 and 187 lowered to provide a water walk-in ramp and a boat dock.

1 31 956q In the preceeding description, a catamaran or slmilar hull with only two hull members is considered. This is the preferred arrangement, since the deck can be placed at the most stable point.
If the boat is then moored with due consideration of currents and wave conditions, a very calm water area can be obtained between the hull members. Further, where a shallow reef, for example, is to be investigated, the deck can be lowered until it is in contact with the reef surface. The deck of this invention could be used wi-th a trimaran or similar hull, but then there is the disadvantage that the central flotation member will obstruct the deck being placed at the most stable point, which is the most preferred location for the deck.
Similarly, only one companionway (e.g. 9 in Figures 1 and 2) has been shown: more than one might be found convenient. Alternatively, a lift or elevator means could be used to provide access to the diving deck.

Claims

1. A diving platform for use by scuba divers and the like comprising in combination:
a main deck means supported above water level by each of at least two separate hull members;
a diving deck means moveably positioned below the main deck;
means to move the diving deck from a first storage position to a second in-use position, in which second position at least a part of the diving deck is below water level and is between the two separate hull members; and on-board access means between the diving deck in its second position and the remainder of the boat.

2. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the main deck is supported by a catamaran type hull.

3. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the main deck is supported by two separate hull members of the SWATH type.

4. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the diving deck comprises a plurality of panels and wherein at least one of the separate panels, whilst remaining attached to the remainder of the deck, can be moved independently relative to at least one of the other deck panels.

5. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the diving deck is moveable in a substantially vertical direction between a first substantially horizontal storage position adjacent to the main deck and a second in use position substantially below water level.

6. A platform according to claim 5 wherein the diving deck storage position is close to and beneath the main deck.

7. A platform according to claim 5 wherein the diving deck in the first storage position forms part of the main deck, and when in its in use position leaves an access aperture in the main deck.

8. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the diving deck is moveable between a first substantially vertical storage position adjacent one of the hull members and a second in use position substantially below water level, by rotation about a linear axis between one edge of the deck and the hull member.

9. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the means to move the diving deck comprises hydraulic means.

10. A platform according to claim 4 wherein the means to move the panels of the deck relative to each other comprises hydraulic means.

11. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the hull has two separate hull members, and the diving deck in its second in-use position is located at the maximum stability point between the hull members.

12. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the on board access means comprises at least one companionway means extendable between a first-storage position and a second in-use position, in which second position it provides access to the diving deck.

13. A platform according to claim 1 wherein the on board access means comprises an elevator means extendable to the diving deck in the second in-use position, and moveable between at least the diving deck and the main deck.

14. A platform according to claim 4 wherein the on board access means comprises an elevator means extendable to the diving deck in the second in-use position, and moveable between at least the diving deck and the main deck, and wherein the elevator means includes at least one panel of the diving deck.