System and method of transporting over water with multiple vessels

Abstract

A ship and associated methods of operation. In an example embodiment, a method of transporting includes providing multiple vessels each having a hull defining an air cavity over a water surface. Different ones of the vessels are loaded with material destined for different end locations. The vessels are connected to one another with rigid couplings to effect tandem movement of the multiple vessels over water as one ship while permitting each vessel to undergo changes in pitch. The vessels are transported to a first destination and one or more of the vessels are disconnected from the ship.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for transporting comprising:
 providing multiple vessels each having a hull defining an air cavity over a water surface;   loading different ones of the vessels with material destined for different end locations;   connecting the vessels to one another with rigid couplings to effect tandem movement of the multiple vessels over water as one ship while permitting each vessel to undergo changes in pitch;   transporting the vessels to a first destination; and   disconnecting one or more of the vessels from the ship.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of removing cargo from the ship at the first destination for delivery or transfer with another transportation mode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of disconnecting one or more of the vessels from the ship includes retaining other vessels connected to one another, the method including transporting the other vessels as a single ship to a second destination. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein during operation one or more of the vessels includes at least one propulsion unit for imparting motive force to the vessels. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of connecting the vessels to one another is performed by connecting each vessel to an adjoining vessel in a manner that permits each vessel to undergo changes in pitch. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of connecting the vessels to one another permits each vessel to only undergo changes in pitch. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of connecting the vessels to one another is performed by connecting a fore portion of each vessel to an aft portion of another vessel in a manner that permits each vessel to undergo changes in pitch. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of connecting the vessels to one another is performed a manner that permits each vessel to only undergo changes in pitch. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the transporting step is performed by operating the ship as a surface effect ship and the step of disconnecting the one or more vessels is performed in an off-cushion state. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the steps of providing and connecting vessels permits formation of the ship with an arbitrarily large number of vessels. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ship is adapted for operation over a route in which there are fluctuations in the amount of cargo space in demand and fluctuations in the type of cargo or the number of passengers by changing the number of vessels in the ship. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of transporting is performed by operating all of the vessels with a power system providing lift that causes each vessel to occupy a draft smaller than when the vessel is afloat without aid of the power system. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of connecting the vessels to one another provides a series of interconnected cavities forming a chamber, each vessel capable of occupying a first draft when afloat without aid of a power system and a second draft smaller than the first draft with aid of the power system.