Improvements relating to masts

A mast apparatus configured to raise and/or lower a mast, comprising:

• a mast housing having an upper portion, the mast housing forming a fixed support for the mast on the vessel;
• a movement control mechanism comprising a pivoting collar configured to engage the mast, wherein the pivoting collar comprises a pivot about which the mast may be rotated, wherein the pivot is fixed to the upper portion of the mast housing, and wherein the pivoting collar is configured to provide controllable movement of the mast through the pivoting collar with respect to the pivot and the mast housing, and forward and aft with respect to the vessel;
• wherein the mast housing comprises at least two substantially parallel, spaced, upwardly extending walls extending forwardly with respect to the vessel;
• wherein the movement control mechanism further comprises at least one guideway mounted between the substantially parallel, spaced, upwardly extending walls of the mast housing;
• wherein the guideway comprises at least one upwardly and forwardly curving guiderail;
• wherein at least one guiderail supports a lower portion of the mast and is configured to guide movement of the lower portion of the mast along a direction forward and aft with respect to the vessel;
• and
• a drive member connectable to the mast and connected to the mast housing, or connectable to the mast and connectable to a vessel, wherein the drive member is configured to drive the mast to rotate about the pivot and configured to drive the mast to move with respect to the pivot and the mast housing through the pivoting collar, forward and aft with respect to the vessel, under the control of the movement control mechanism so as to raise or lower the mast in a controlled manner.

A mast apparatus configured to raise and/or lower a mast, comprising:

• a mast housing having an upper portion, the mast housing forming a fixed support for the mast on the vessel;
• a movement control mechanism comprising a pivoting collar configured to engage the mast, wherein the pivoting collar comprises a pivot about which the mast may be rotated, wherein the pivot is fixed to the upper portion of the mast housing, and wherein the pivoting collar is configured to provide controllable movement of the mast through the pivoting collar with respect to the pivot and the mast housing, and forward and aft with respect to the vessel;
• wherein the movement control mechanism further comprises at least one guideway extending forwardly with respect to the vessel;
• wherein the guideway comprises at least one upwardly and forwardly curving guiderail;
• wherein at least one upwardly and forwardly rotating guiderail supports a lower portion of the mast and is configured to guide movement of the lower portion of the mast along a direction forward and aft with respect to the vessel;
• and
• a drive member connectable to the mast and connected to the mast housing, or connectable to the mast and connectable to a vessel, wherein the drive member is configured to drive the mast to rotate about the pivot and configured to drive the mast to move with respect to the pivot and the mast housing through the pivoting collar, forward and aft with respect to the vessel, under the control of the movement control mechanism so as to raise or lower the mast in a controlled manner.