Interchangeable superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to interchangeable superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels and a system of superstructures and hulls that are interchangeable for forming ocean going vessels.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 illustrates a partial front view of an ocean going vessel of the invention at a port with a superstructure fixed to its inbound hull, and positioned aside an outbound hull without a superstructure.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a partial front view of the system of the invention in which a superstructure has been removed from one inbound hull and is being moved by crane to an outbound hull.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a partial front view of the ocean going vessel with a superstructure fixed to the outbound hull.

#Records of existing dock manifests indicate the time required to off-load and reload an ocean going vessel, such as a large cargo or container/liquid container vessel varies but may require several days or even weeks to execute. In addition, extensive coordination must be conducted both prior to and during arrival before loading operations can begin. If goods and commodities are not off-loaded in a precise and efficient manner, costly delays can ensue, ultimately preventing other inbound vessels from docking on time.

#Cargo vessels are particularly susceptible to fluctuations in port schedules and the shipping industry bases its revenue upon the amount of goods delivered and the number of voyages completed. Accordingly, increasing the efficiency of handling port operations such as loading and unloading the cargo can greatly increase revenue in the shipping industry. Further, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, specifically the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, is integrally involved in the operations of each foreign carrier that arrives in a U.S. port. Both the cargo and crew are subject to inspection. Due to compressed time scheduling and unplanned factors, often a thorough inspection is not feasible, leaving the port and the U.S. as a whole susceptible to national security threats. The said invention is intended to minimize turn-around time, increase overall volume of U.S. and international trade, and help mitigate threats to National Security.

#By utilizing an “assembly line” approach that is initiated with removal of the superstructure upon arrival rather than the cargo/commodity, a vessel can begin its next voyage within hours instead of days. Once a superstructure is removed from its hull, the hull can be relocated and off-loaded in a standardized manner that maximizes efficiency while not utilizing valuable dock space or interfering with turn-around time. Also, U.S. federal law enforcement officials can maximize the time required to inspect cargo that would otherwise be lost if a vessel was pending other actions. Once off-loaded, the hull can be inspected, reloaded and made ready for the next superstructure. A strategic benefit will be a significant increase in the volume of arriving and departing goods, resulting in increased port business, employment of personnel, and annual tax revenue. By significantly decreasing the turn-around time, the number of voyages per year, per ship may increase by as much as 50%, stimulating international trade, increasing gross national product, and impacting the overall global economy in a positive manner.