Integrated entry air cushion marine vessel and marine platform

An integrated entry surface effect marine platform for powered and unpowered marine vessels and barges which has reduced drag through water and improved wave penetration for rough sea operation, the marine platform being of a monohull design which utilizes pressurized air to reduce friction with the water, and which is supported in forward operation by a combination of floatation, pneumatic lift, and hydrodynamic lift, and which utilizes superior wave penetration, the marine platform comprising:

• a plurality of bows each including respective pairs of bow inclines that begin at an upper shear line and continue down and aft, respective outboard most of said bow inclines which extend aft and outboard to a transverse a stem seal forming respective outboard seals therealong;
• a plurality of water flow channels, one channel being disposed between each pair of said plurality of bows;
• a keel for each bow, said keels originating at respective bases of said bows and continuing aft and outboard from respective center lines of said bows;
• a plurality of bow seals that originate at respective bases of said bows at respective forward ends of said keels and continue aft and outboard along respective of said keels until said keels blend into said water flow channels and said outboard seals;
• an aft inclined lift surface that precedes said stem seal extending forward to an upper air cavity surface which extends into the respective water flow channels forming an air cavity thereunder, said air cavity originating at said bow seals, at said bases of the said bows, at respective forward ends of said keels, said air cavity which continues aft and outboard along respective of said keels until blending into said water flow channels and said outboard seals;
• at least one air discharge duct through said upper air cavity surface through which the pressurized air is delivered to said air cavity;
• and wherein as the marine platform passes through the water, said aft inclined lift surface provides hydrodynamic lift to raise an aft end of the marine platform, said air cavity being filled with a flow of pressurized air from said air discharge ducts, said air cavity which restrains a cushion of pressurized air beneath the marine platform in operation to reduce water contact therewith to reduce laminar friction, said water flow channels which direct flows of displaced water from wave impacts into said air cavity wherein the air cushion and flow of pressurized air maintain the reduced contact with the water for reduced resistance and drag.