Fast jack hybrid liftboat hull

Abstract

A liftboat with an improved hybrid hull which increases the speed and efficiency of the vessel and reduces the changes of damage should an accidental grounding occur with box beam construction, starboard and port catamaran hulls, a center barge hull, multiple legs, a jacking system for moving each upward and downward, and a retractable local bearing pad for each leg that engaged the seabed when in use. In addition, it proves a more streamlined housing for the retracted pads and a stronger integrated structure for the leg towers which guide and support the legs.

1 . A hybrid hull form for a liftboat vessel with jacking system, a plurality of jacking legs and pads, said hull form comprising a starboard catamaran hull with a bow, stern and stern bottom extension, a port catamaran hull with bow, stern and stern bottom extension, a center barge hull with a bow rake connecting said starboard catamaran hull and port catamaran hull. 
     
     
         2 . The hybrid hull form of  claim 1  wherein the starboard catamaran hull and the port catamaran hull each further comprise leg openings for the jacking legs and pad recesses for fully receiving the pads when the jacking legs are fully raised. 
     
     
         3 . The hybrid hull form of  claim 2  wherein the pads are configured in a pyramid shape with essentially flat bottoms. 
     
     
         4 . The hybrid hull form of  claim 3  wherein the starboard catamaran hull and the port catamaran hull are each fitted at the stern above the stern bottom extensions with at least one propeller driven by an engine. 
     
     
         5 . The hybrid hull form of  claim 4  wherein the starboard catamaran hull and the port catamaran hull are each fitted at the bow with at least one thruster. 
     
     
         6 . The hybrid hull form of  claim 1  wherein the starboard catamaran hull, the port catamaran hull and the center barge hull are of box beam construction. 
     
     
         7 . The hybrid hull form of  claim 6  wherein the starboard catamaran hull and the port catamaran hull each further comprise longitudinal inboard and outboard panels with cross panels.