Marine vessel

Abstract

A marine vessel (100) comprising: propulsion means (118, 134); a hull section (102); a body section (104) connected to said hull section via at least one stanchion (106, 108, 110, 112); and the body section and the hull section being movable relative to each other via said at least one stanchion.

1 . A marine vessel comprising:
 propulsion means;   a hull section;   a body section connected to said hull section via at least one stanchion; and   the body section and the hull section being movable relative to each other via said at least one stanchion.   
     
     
         2 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said body section is movable on the at least one stanchion. 
     
     
         3 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said body section is vertically movable on the at least one stanchion relative to the hull section. 
     
     
         4 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein the marine vessel comprises a plurality of stanchions. 
     
     
         5 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the body section is movable on the plurality of stanchions so as to tilt the body section relative to the hull section. 
     
     
         6 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the body section is configured to be tilted during acceleration and/or braking of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         7 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein a degree of tilt of the body section is dependent upon a magnitude of the acceleration or braking force. 
     
     
         8 . A marine vessel as set forth in any of  claims 5  to  7 , wherein the body section is configured to selectively tilt towards a first end or a second end of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         9 . A marine vessel as set forth in any of  claims 5  to  8 , wherein the body section is configured to selectively tilt towards a first side or a second side of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         10 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein said hull section comprises one or more ballast and trim tanks operable to prevent the marine vessel from floating unevenly. 
     
     
         11 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said ballast tank is configured to control a centre of gravity of said marine vessel. 
     
     
         12 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, comprising one or more vertical thrusters located in or on the hull section for driving the hull section down to an operating depth. 
     
     
         13 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, comprising one or more ailerons and/or elevators on the hull section to provide control of the hull when the vessel is in motion. 
     
     
         14 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein an angle of attack of the one or more ailerons and/or elevators is variable so as to control the hull. 
     
     
         15 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the body section comprises one or more areas for holding people and/or cargo. 
     
     
         16 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the body section comprises a bridge portion for accommodating a crew of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         17 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the body section comprises a passenger holding area. 
     
     
         18 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the body section comprises an attachment mechanism for attaching at least one detachable module. 
     
     
         19 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, comprising a detachable module mounted to the attachment mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said marine vessel is configured to mount said detachable module between said body section and said hull section. 
     
     
         21 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 19  or  claim 20 , wherein said body section is configured to be lowered on to said detachable module so as to attach thereto. 
     
     
         22 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein said marine vessel has a first end and a second end, each of said first and second ends capable of acting as a bow or a stern of the marine vessel in an interchangeable manner and in dependence on a direction of travel of the marine vessel. 
     
     
         23 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein said propulsion means comprises a water jet. 
     
     
         24 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the hull section comprises a single section. 
     
     
         25 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the hull section is wider than the body section. 
     
     
         26 . A marine vessel as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the width of the hull section is double, or about double, the width of the body section. 
     
     
         27 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein a length to height ratio of the hull section is 8:1 or greater. 
     
     
         28 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein the hull comprises an air film emission slot for creating an air film on the hull section. 
     
     
         29 . A marine vessel as set forth in any preceding claim, wherein in side profile of the hull section comprises an aerofoil shape.