Method and apparatus for inspection and repair of sailing vessels in-situ

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, which may comprise a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel; a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area; and a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water. The filtered water may be filtered to a sufficient degree to allow underwater imaging of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement, e.g., to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement. The apparatus and method may further comprise the containment seal forming seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull and the containment seal and the containment curtain forming a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel. The containment seal may further comprise a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel. The method and apparatus may further comprise an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement; a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow underwater imaging of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal forming seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal forming seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal forming a seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal and the containment curtain forming a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal and the containment curtain forming a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal and the containment curtain forming a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time commnunication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain means for defining a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal means for cooperating with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain means a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and operative to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow underwater imaging of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means forms a seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means forms a seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means forms a seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means and the containment curtain means form a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means and the containment curtain means form a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means and the containment curtain means form a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means comprising a first containment seal means and a second containment seal means and the first containment seal means and the second containment seal means along with the containment curtain means form a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means comprising a first containment seal means and a second containment seal means and the first containment seal means and the second containment seal means along with the containment curtain means form a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal means comprising a first containment seal means and a second containment seal means and the first containment seal means and the second containment seal means along with the containment curtain means form a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus operative to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus and to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus operative to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus and to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 27  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus operative to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus and to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 28  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus operative to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus and to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 29  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus operative to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus and to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising: 
 an underwater imaging apparatus operative to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus and to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         37 . A method for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 utilizing a containment seal to define with the containment curtain a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel defining a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    replacing the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow underwater imaging of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 forming a seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 forming a seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 forming a seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising: 
 utilizing the containment seal and the containment curtain to form a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising: 
 utilizing the containment seal and the containment curtain to form a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 utilizing the containment seal and the containment curtain to form a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising: 
 the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising: 
 providing an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 in real time communicating the image to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising: 
 providing an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 in real time communicating the image to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising: 
 providing an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 in real time communicating the image to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46  further comprising: 
 providing an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 in real time communicating the image to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 47  further comprising: 
 providing an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 in real time communicating the image to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising: 
 providing an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;  
 in real the communicating the image to a location outside of the work area to facilitate remote evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.  
 
     
     
         55 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water;    wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow underwater imaging of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement.    
     
     
         56 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water;    wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement.    
     
     
         57 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water;    wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement;    the containment seal forming seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull.    
     
     
         58 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water;    wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement;    the containment seal forming seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull;    the containment seal and the containment curtain forming a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         59 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water;    wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement;    the containment seal forming seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull;    the containment seal and the containment curtain forming a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel;    the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel.    
     
     
         60 . An apparatus for inspecting and repairing a sailing vessel having a hull while the sailing vessel remains afloat in the water, comprising: 
 a containment curtain of a size and shape allowing the containment curtain to define a work area around a portion of the hull of the sailing vessel;    a containment seal adapted to cooperate with the hull of the sailing vessel to define with the containment curtain a region of water within the work area and a region of water outside of the work area;    a filtration system connected to the region of water within the work area and adapted to replace the ambient water initially within the region of the work area with filtered water;    wherein the filtered water is filtered to a sufficient degree to allow imaging of the portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement of a quality to allow real-time remote analysis of the underwater imaging for purposes of approval of the repair or replacement;    the containment seal forming seal along the hull of the sailing vessel from at least the waterline on the port side of the hull of the vessel to at least the waterline on the starboard side of the hull;    the containment seal and the containment curtain forming a work area from a point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a point aft of the stern of the sailing vessel;    the containment seal comprising a first containment seal and a second containment seal and the first containment seal and the second containment seal along with the containment curtain forming a work area from a first point along the hull of the sailing vessel to a second point along the hull of the sailing vessel;    an underwater imaging apparatus adapted to provide as an output an image of a portion of the sailing vessel in need of repair or replacement;    a real time communication link connected to the output of the imaging apparatus to a location outside of the work area to facilitate evaluation of the necessary repair or replacement.