ES8504587A1 - Marine observation vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a marine observation vessel, for observing underwater locations. The vessel includes one or more planar-type hulls with observation means such as spaced observation ports, associated with them or with each hull. There are also one or more transverse bulkheads which divide the hull or each of these into a plurality of separate internal compartments which are closed hermetically with respect to one another. In each internal compartment there are one or more ballast tanks which act as seating supports, and each internal compartment includes an observation zone which has one or more of said seating supports. A control cabin superstructure is located above the plurality of internal compartments. Means are also provided for selectively flooding the ballast tanks, as a result of which the vessel is able to move in: (i) travel mode, in which the observation means are located above the waterline; and (ii) observation mode, in which the observation means are located below the waterline. The flooding means include pumping means, valve means which control the flow of water through the pumping means, an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. A supply conduit is also provided which has separate conduits for communication with each internal compartment, and ventilation (fan) means associated with it or with each compartment.