Marine vessel landing site barrier

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a marine vessel landing site barrier is described. The apparatus includes a barrier adapted to at least partially surround a marine vessel and partition the water surrounding the marine vessel to prevent or minimize marine species from entering water intake systems located on the marine vessel. The barrier prevents ingress and egress of marine species from entering the water surrounding the marine vessel, which facilitates efficient operation of water intake and exchange systems on the vessel.

1 . A docking facility, comprising:
 a bulkhead defining a slip having at least one opening through which a marine vessel may pass;   a dock coupled to at least a portion of the bulkhead; and   a water permeable barrier positioned to selectively occupy the opening, the barrier adapted to prevent ingress and egress of marine species through the opening.   
   
   
       2 . The docking facility of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises a flexible covering adapted to extend and retract along a width and a depth of the opening. 
   
   
       3 . The docking facility of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible covering is coupled to at least one tensioning member selected from the group of rope, wire, cable, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The docking facility of  claim 3 , wherein the tensioning member is coupled to a tensioning device mounted to the bulkhead near the opening. 
   
   
       5 . The docking facility of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible covering comprises two major sides and two minor sides and a plurality of weights are coupled to at least one of the two major sides. 
   
   
       6 . The docking facility of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises one or more laterally movable gates pivotally coupled to the bulkhead. 
   
   
       7 . The docking facility of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier comprises one or more vertically movable gates coupled to a structure near a lower surface of the slip. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus; comprising:
 a flexible barrier coupled to a support member, wherein the flexible barrier comprises:   a covering sized to prevent ingress of marine species while allowing water to flow therethrough; and   a plurality of inflatable bladder devices coupled to one of the support member or an upper surface of the covering.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of inflatable bladder devices are coupled to a source of gas or compressed air. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of inflatable bladder devices are coupled to a water source. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of inflatable bladder devices are coupled to the support member. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the support member comprises a fluid channel disposed therein. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of inflatable bladder devices comprise at least one valve. 
   
   
       14 . A method for controlling the intake of marine species into water intake systems located on a marine vessel, comprising:
 securing the marine vessel to a docking facility;   positioning a barrier around a perimeter of the vessel or adjacent the vessel as the marine vessel is secured; and   removing the barrier prior to the marine vessel being unsecured from the docking facility.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the positioning comprises raising the barrier from a bottom of a body of water adjacent the docking facility. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the raising comprises lifting the barrier using one or more inflatable bladder devices coupled to the barrier. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the raising comprises lifting or pulling the barrier with a tensioning device coupled to the barrier. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the barrier is coupled to the docking facility and the positioning comprises pivoting the barrier in a lateral or a vertical direction. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein positioning the barrier comprises:
 lowering the barrier about the perimeter of the marine vessel.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 providing water to the water intake systems after the barrier is positioned and before the barrier is removed.