Method and Apparatus for Ballast-Assisted Reconfiguration of a Variable-Draft Vessel

Abstract

A method for reconfiguring the hull form of a reconfigurable variable-draft vessel having a side hull and a center hull. In a method in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, ballasting and de-ballasting operations assist in the vertical translation of the center hull relative to the side hull.

1 . A method for reconfiguring a reconfigurable, variable-draft vessel having a side hull and a center hull, wherein the method comprises: 
 (a) adding ballast to said side hull;    (b) switching a state of coupling of said side hull and said center hull; and    (c) de-ballasting said side hull.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said variable-draft vessel reconfigures from a shallow-draft state to a deep draft state, the method further comprising decoupling said side hull and said center hull before performing operation (a).  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said variable-draft vessel reconfigures from a deep-draft mode to a shallow-draft mode, the method further comprising, after operation (c): 
 (d) adding ballast to said center hull; and    (e) couple said center hull and said side hull.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising, after operating (e): 
 (f) de-ballasting said center hull.    
   
   
       5 . A method for reconfiguring a reconfigurable, variable-draft vessel having a side hull and a center hull comprising changing ballast.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising alternatively coupling and decoupling said center hull and said side hull.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein a lifting mechanism is not used to change a relative position of said center hull and said side hull.  
   
   
       8 . A variable-draft vessel comprising: 
 a center hull;    a side hull;    a mechanism for coupling and decoupling said center hull and said side hull, wherein, when decoupled, said center hull and said side hull can move independently of one another; and    a ballast tank, wherein said ballast tank is disposed in said side hull.    
   
   
       9 . The variable-draft vessel of  claim 8 , further comprising a ballast tank in said center hull.  
   
   
       10 . The variable-draft vessel of  claim 8 , further comprising a lifting mechanism for changing the relative vertical position of said center hull and said side hull.