# US 2019/0168852 A1 · Marine lifting apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168852 A1 - Document ID: US20190168852A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/170,398 - Filed: 2018-10-25 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2007-12-17 - Assignees: Versabar, Inc. - Applicants: Versabar, Inc. - Inventors: Jon KHACHATURIAN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168852A1 ## CPC - B63C 7/04: using pontoons or the like - B63B 1/121: {comprising two hulls (B63B1/107 takes precedence)} - B63B 1/14: the hulls being interconnected resiliently {or having means for actively varying hull shape or configuration (collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels B63B7/00)} - B63B 25/002: {for goods other than bulk goods (detachable decks B63B25/18; palletised articles B63B25/22; frozen goods B63B25/26; deck loads B63B25/28)} - B63B 27/10: of cranes - B63B 35/00: Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for - B63B 35/003: {for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules (construction methods for artificial islands mounted on piles E02B17/00; for transporting marine vessels B63B35/40; docks B63C1/00)} - B63B 71/00: Designing vessels; Predicting their performance - B63B 73/00: Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms - B63H 21/22: the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs - B63H 25/42: Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements (by jets B63H25/46); Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers - B66C 13/02: Devices for facilitating retrieval of floating objects, e.g. for recovering crafts from water (handling live-boats B63B; salvaging, or hauling-out on slipways, waterborne vessels B63C; winding mechanism controls B66D1/52) - B66C 13/46: Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements - B66C 17/06: specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forges; combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes (B66C17/04 takes precedence) - B66C 19/00: Cranes comprising trolleys or crabs running on fixed or movable bridges or gantries (B66C17/00 takes precedence; base supporting structures with legs B66C5/00; jib cranes B66C23/00) - B66C 23/52: Floating cranes (floating dredgers E02F) - G05D 1/0208: {dynamic anchoring} - G05D 1/43: Control of position or course in two dimensions [2D] - B63B 2001/123: {interconnected by a plurality of beams, or the like members only} - Y02T 70/00: Maritime or waterways transport - Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - G05D: SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-47. (canceled) ### Claim 48 A method of supporting personnel housing in a marine environment, comprising the steps of: a) providing first and second vessels; b) spanning a first frame between the vessels; c) spanning a second frame between the vessels; d) spacing the frames apart and connecting the frames to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart; e) connecting the frames to the vessels at two connections on each said vessel, wherein one or more of said connections is a hinged connection; and f) supporting personnel housing on a said frame. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein there is a second personnel housing on a second of said frames. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, wherein one or both vessels is dynamically positioned. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of controlling the position of each vessel with an electronic positioning device. ### Claim 52 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of controlling the position of each vessel with a computer. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The method of claim 52, wherein a single computer controls the functions of both vessels. ### Claim 54 (depends on 50) The method of claim 50, wherein the dynamic positioning functions of each vessel are controlled by a single pilot house. ### Claim 55 (depends on 50) The method of claim 50 wherein the dynamic positioning functions of at least one vessel include thruster functions, steering functions and propulsion functions. ### Claim 56 (depends on 50) The method of claim 50 wherein the dynamic positioning functions of both vessels include thruster functions, steering functions and propulsion functions. ### Claim 57 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48 wherein each boat is a work boat having a bow portion with a pilot house, a deck portion behind the pilot house, a load spreader platform attached to the deck portion and wherein the first and second frames are mounted on the load spreader platform. ### Claim 58 (depends on 48) The method of claim 48 wherein each boat is a work boat having a bow portion with a pilot house, a deck portion behind the pilot house, one or more load spreader platforms attached to the deck portion and wherein the first and second frames are mounted on the one or more load spreader platforms. ### Claim 59 A catamaran vessel apparatus comprising: a) first and second vessels, at least each of the vessels is a dynamically positioned vessel; b) a first frame that spans between the vessels; c) a second frame that spans between the vessels; d) the frames being spaced apart and being connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart; e) each of the frames connected to each of the vessels at two connections on each said vessel, wherein one or more of said connections is a hinged connection; and f) personnel housing supported on one of said frames. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The catamaran vessel apparatus of claim 59, wherein there is a second personnel housing on a second of said frames. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The catamaran vessel apparatus of claim 59, wherein the dynamic positioning functions of each vessel are controlled from a single pilot house. ### Claim 62 (depends on 59) The catamaran vessel apparatus of claim 59, wherein the vessel has a bow portion and a stern portion and a control house is located on a stern portion of one of the vessels. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The catamaran vessel lifting apparatus of claim 62, wherein the vessel has a bow portion and a stern portion and at least one of the connections is located in between the control house and the hinged connection. ### Claim 64 (depends on 62) The catamaran vessel lifting apparatus of claim 62, wherein the control house is a computer. ### Claim 65 (depends on 59) The catamaran vessel lifting apparatus of claim 59, wherein each of the vessels has thruster and steering functions and each of these functions is controlled from one of the vessels. ### Claim 66 (depends on 59) The catamaran vessel lifting apparatus of claim 59, wherein each of the vessels has a propulsion function and the propulsion function of each vessel is controlled from one of the vessels. ### Claim 67 (depends on 65) The catamaran vessel lifting apparatus of claim 65, wherein each of the functions is controlled from a control house.