Transportation system based on hydrofoil ship

Abstract

A marine transportation system is disclosed, comprising a first hydrofoil vessel (P), referred to as a pilot hydrofoil vessel, and at least one second hydrofoil vessel (S), referred to as a following hydrofoil vessel, communication means (TCP, TCS) allowing the exchange of information between the pilot hydrofoil vessel (P) and the following hydrofoil vessel (S), the pilot hydrofoil vessel (P) comprising a cockpit, a control unit (UC1) and geolocation means (GP), the following hydrofoil vessel (S) comprises a control unit (UC2) and a geolocation device (GS), said transportation system being configured to operate at least in an imitation mode, in which the guide hydrofoil vessel (P) is controlled by the driver and the following hydrofoil vessel (S) reproduces the movement behavior of the guide hydrofoil vessel, and in a differentiation mode, in which the guide hydrofoil vessel (P) is controlled by the driver and the following hydrofoil vessel (S) reproduces the movement behavior of the guide hydrofoil vessel. The motion behavior of the following hydrofoil vessel (S) is controlled by the guiding hydrofoil vessel (P).

Description

[0001] Technical field and prior art

[0002] The present invention relates to a transportation system based on hydrofoil vessels, comprising at least two hydrofoil vessels.

[0003] A hydrofoil is a boat with wings attached to its hull. The boat's speed creates hydrodynamic lift on the wings, which can partially or completely lift the boat out of the water. This reduces the boat's drag and lowers the power required to reach cruising speed.

[0004] This reduction in required power results in less energy required to move the vessel.

[0005] In light of the ecological challenges facing the world, hydrofoils seem to be a very interesting alternative for maritime transport.

[0006] Electric hydrofoils have been developed to aid the transition towards reducing the use of fossil fuels. Compared to traditional boats, these hydrofoils produce very little noise, providing passengers with an exceptional transport experience.

[0007] This type of hydrofoil is particularly suitable for transporting small groups of people, for example those going to leisure facilities such as hotels located on the seashore, on islands, or on the sea with bungalows supported on piles. In the latter case, the guests and their luggage are taken to their bungalows by boat.

[0008] The luggage can be loaded onto the same boat as the passengers; however, in order to improve the passenger experience and comfort during the hydrofoil trip, it is preferred that the luggage be transported by another means. It is conceivable to use another boat to transport the luggage, but this would require a second driver, which would increase the operating costs of the hotel complex.

[0009] Hydrofoils can also be used to take tourists on organized tours of maritime areas with exceptional comfort. To avoid having too many passengers per hydrofoil, several hydrofoils are used, which requires several pilots. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the present application is therefore to propose a system which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0012] The above objectives are achieved by a transportation system comprising at least two hydrofoils, the first being a lead hydrofoil, or master, and the other being a follower, or slave, hydrofoil. Thus, the follower hydrofoil follows the lead hydrofoil, eliminating the need for a human operator to pilot each hydrofoil. Furthermore, the master and slave hydrofoils allow the pilot of the master hydrofoil to control the slave hydrofoil at any time and operate it independently of the master. For example, during docking, the pilot can remotely direct the slave hydrofoil while the master hydrofoil is at a pier.

[0013] In a particularly advantageous embodiment where the wings are retractable (for example in rough seas), it is conceivable that the master hydrofoil vessel continues to move on the wings, while the slave hydrofoil vessel does not deploy its wings and rests on the hull.

[0014] Therefore, in the case of transporting passengers and their luggage, the main hydrofoil can transport the passengers, and the slave hydrofoil can transport the luggage (directly following the passengers). Passengers do not have to wait for their luggage, and the risk of loss is also reduced.

[0015] In the case of transporting tourists during a tour, a fleet of hydrofoils can be envisaged, where the leading hydrofoil is the master hydrofoil and the other hydrofoils are slave hydrofoils.

[0016] The subject of the invention is a marine transport system comprising a first hydrofoil vessel, referred to as a lead hydrofoil vessel, and at least one second hydrofoil vessel, referred to as a follower hydrofoil vessel, communication means allowing the exchange of information between the lead hydrofoil vessel and the follower hydrofoil vessel, the lead hydrofoil vessel comprising a cockpit, a control unit and a geolocation device, the follower hydrofoil vessel comprising a control unit and a geolocation device, the transport system being configured to operate at least in an imitation mode, in which the lead hydrofoil vessel is controlled by the pilot and the follower hydrofoil vessel reproduces the movement behaviour of the lead hydrofoil vessel, and in a differentiation mode, in which the movement behaviour of the follower hydrofoil vessel is controlled by the lead hydrofoil vessel.

[0017] Advantageously, in differentiation mode, the motion behavior of the following hydrofoil vessel is directly controlled by the pilot.

[0018] Preferably, the leading hydrofoil vessel is configured to send at least the leading hydrofoil vessel's position, direction and speed to the following hydrofoil vessel's control unit, and the following hydrofoil vessel's control unit is configured to calculate the following hydrofoil vessel's trajectory based on the leading hydrofoil vessel's direction and speed.

[0019] For example, the communication device is a dedicated short-range communication device configured to ensure a direct exchange of information between the leading hydrofoil vessel and the following hydrofoil vessel.

[0020] In an advantageous example, the leading hydrofoil vessel comprises at least one retractable hydrofoil and the following hydrofoil vessel comprises at least one retractable hydrofoil.

[0021] According to an additional feature, the transport system is configured to operate in another mode, referred to as partial imitation mode, in which the following hydrofoil vessel reproduces only a portion of the motion behavior of the leading hydrofoil vessel. In partial imitation mode, the control unit of the following hydrofoil vessel may be configured to keep the following hydrofoil vessel's hydrofoils in a retracted position, while the control unit of the leading hydrofoil vessel may have already deployed the leading hydrofoil vessel's hydrofoils.

[0022] Advantageously, the cockpit is a specific human-machine interface and allows the following hydrofoil to be controlled in a differentiated mode.

[0023] For example, the lead hydrofoil vessel is configured for transporting people, and the follower hydrofoil vessel is configured for transporting objects, such as luggage.

[0024] Another subject of the present invention is a method for operating a transport system according to the invention, comprising:

[0025] In imitation mode,

[0026] The leading hydrofoil vessel sends information to the following hydrofoil vessel via the communication device, the information being, for example, the direction and speed of the leading hydrofoil vessel,

[0027] - an acknowledgment of receipt of the message is sent from the following hydrofoil vessel to the leading hydrofoil vessel,

[0028] - taking into account said information by the control unit of the following hydrofoil vessel in order to calculate the trajectory and navigation conditions of the following hydrofoil vessel,

[0029] In the differentiation mode,

[0030] - the leading hydrofoil vessel, for example the pilot of the leading hydrofoil vessel, sends control instructions to the following hydrofoil vessel,

[0031] --The control instructions are executed by the following hydrofoil vessel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present application will be better understood with the aid of the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a system including two hydrofoil vessels according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2A is a side view of an example of a guided hydrofoil vessel in a high-speed sailing configuration that may be implemented in a system according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Side view of a guided hydrofoil vessel in a low-speed configuration;

[0037] Figure 3 Yes, you can Figure 1 A side view of an example of a following hydrofoil vessel implemented in a transportation system;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic top view of a transport system moving in a mimicking or cloning mode;

[0039] Figure 5is a schematic top view of the transport system in a differentiated mode (also referred to as drone mode);

[0040] Figure 6 is a side view of another example of a transport system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In this application, the terms "master" and "lead" are considered synonymous, and the terms "slave" and "follower" are also considered synonymous; the terms "vessel" and "hydrofoil" are used interchangeably.

[0042] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of an example of a marine transport system according to the invention can be seen.

[0043] In this example, the marine transport system includes two hydrofoil vessels (a lead hydrofoil vessel P and a follower hydrofoil vessel S).

[0044] exist Figure 2A and Figure 2B In FIG, a pilot hydrofoil P is shown in detail comprising a hull 2, a cockpit 4, passenger seats 6, a hydrofoil 8 attached to the end of an underwater mast 9, a rudder 10 and propulsion means 12, 14. As a variant, the pilot vessel may comprise one or more propulsion means.

[0045] W represents water surface.

[0046] In the example shown, the propulsion means 12, 14 comprise an electric motor and a propeller or turbine. In this example, the propulsion means 12 are arranged at the hydrofoils and the propulsion means 14 are arranged at the rudders.

[0047] Advantageously, the underwater mast equipped with hydrofoils is retractable, as is the rudder, for ease of movement in shallow water and docking at a marina. A device 16 is provided at the underwater mast location on the floor of the boat, which accommodates the underwater mast in a retracted position.

[0048] In the deployed configuration, when the underwater mast 9 is submerged, the hydrofoils 8 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the hull 2. Advantageously, in the retracted configuration, when the underwater mast 9 is housed in the device 16, the hydrofoils 8 extend in the longitudinal direction of the hull.

[0049] During the raising of the hydrofoil, the hydrofoil is pivoted about the axis of the underwater mast to align with the longitudinal direction of the hull.

[0050] Preferably, the bottom of the hull is shaped to accommodate the hydrofoil when it is in the retracted position.

[0051] exist Figure 3The following hydrofoil craft S, which can be seen in FIG, has a relatively similar structure to that of the leading hydrofoil craft P. The following hydrofoil craft S includes a hull 102, a hydrofoil 108 attached to the end of an underwater mast 109, a rudder 110, and propulsion devices 112, 114. Alternatively, the following craft may include one or more propulsion devices.

[0052] In the example shown, the propulsion means 112, 114 comprise an electric motor and a propeller. In this example, the propulsion means 112 are arranged at the hydrofoils and the propulsion means 114 are arranged at the rudders.

[0053] Advantageously, the underwater mast 109 equipped with the hydrofoil 108 is retractable, as is the rudder 110, for ease of movement in shallow water and docking at a marina. A device 116 is provided at the location of the underwater mast on the floor of the boat, which accommodates the underwater mast in a retracted position.

[0054] In this example, the hydrofoil boat S does not include a cockpit or passenger seats. It is intended for the transport of luggage and has the shape of a barge. It includes a flat floor for luggage storage and advantageously provides luggage securing means.

[0055] The pilot hydrofoil vessel P includes an electronic control unit UC1 or central computer, at least one position sensor for the underwater mast, and a rudder position sensor. The pilot hydrofoil vessel P also includes all the measurement elements typically found on ships to ensure safe and regulated navigation. The control unit UC1 is connected to the propulsion system and the control station. The pilot's commands from the cockpit are transmitted via the control unit UC1 to the propulsion system and various equipment on the pilot vessel.

[0056] The cockpit may be a conventional cockpit with a steering wheel. Preferably, the cockpit comprises a human-machine interface (such as a screen or touch tablet TT connected to the control unit UC1) by means of which the driver gives driving instructions and selects a mode.

[0057] The following hydrofoil vessel comprises a control unit UC2 and measuring elements normally equipped on a vessel to ensure safe navigation.

[0058] The lead hydrofoil vessel P and the follower hydrofoil vessel S also comprise satellite geo-positioning means GP, GS, respectively, allowing a positioning in the order of a few metres (eg around 3 metres).

[0059] The lead hydrofoil and the following hydrofoil include communication devices (TCP and TCS) between them. Preferably, these devices are short-range communication devices implementing a technology known as "dedicated short-range communication," or DSRC. These communication devices are particularly suitable for direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication or V-to-V communication (approximately 10 meters). An example of such a communication device is described in the following document: "Vehicle to vehicle data transfer and communication using LI-FI technology," Anbalagan et al. in Materials Today: PROCEEDINGS, vol. 45, Part 7, 2021, pages 5925-5933.

[0060] These devices are radio communication devices that allow very localized communication. Furthermore, they do not interfere with other communication systems.

[0061] The communication device TCP of the leading hydrofoil vessel P comprises a leading transmitter and a leading receiver, and the communication device TCS of the following hydrofoil vessel S comprises a following transmitter and a following receiver that communicate via electronic transmission.

[0062] The leading transmitter is configured to send information and instructions to the control unit UC2 of the following hydrofoil vessel via the following receiver, and the following transmitter is configured to send information to the control unit UC1 of the leading hydrofoil vessel via the leading receiver.

[0063] According to the present invention, the transport system is configured such that in a first operating mode, referred to as imitation mode or cloning mode, the following hydrofoil vessel S reproduces the movement behavior of the leading hydrofoil vessel P, and in a second operating mode, referred to as differentiation mode or drone mode, the following hydrofoil vessel S follows instructions from the cockpit and has a movement behavior different from that of the leading hydrofoil vessel P.

[0064] In mimicking mode, control unit UC1 transmits the trajectory of the leading hydrofoil vessel via the leading transmitter and the following receiver to control unit UC2, which processes this information and calculates the trajectory of the following hydrofoil vessel. Preferably, transmission occurs directly between the leading transmitter and the following receiver (i.e., in a V-to-V fashion), which reduces exchange time, increases responsiveness, and enhances transmission security. Alternatively, transmission can be accomplished via a third-party device, such as a local server or a remote cloud. This variation is conceivable in areas with good internet network coverage. Furthermore, it can be configured so that the cloud can handle all or part of certain tasks, as long as communication times are acceptable and communication security is ensured.

[0065] This trajectory is obtained, for example, by satellite geolocation. The control unit UC2 issues commands to all devices involved in the movement of the following hydrofoil vessel (such as the propulsion system, rudder, and hydrofoils) so that they reproduce the trajectory of the leading hydrofoil vessel while maintaining the distance between the leading and following hydrofoil vessels. This distance is selected to ensure the safety of the vessels and is based on the maximum communication distance between the vessels.

[0066] Furthermore, this distance can vary depending on weather conditions. In fact, in the event of strong swells, it can be expected that this distance may increase.

[0067] Satellite geolocation is accurate enough to manage the distance between ships. In practice, this distance isn't strictly required; it can vary by a few meters. This provides a safety margin to avoid any risk of collision.

[0068] The use of satellite geolocation to maintain distance between vessels avoids the need to implement sensors between the vessels, which is particularly advantageous as such sensors are very difficult to implement in a maritime environment.

[0069] The communication between the lead ship and the following ship is performed, for example, as follows.

[0070] The leading transmitter sends information frames to the following receiver at a certain frequency (eg, once to dozens of times per second).

[0071] The information contained in the frame comprises at least the direction of the guide vessel, the speed of the guide vessel and possibly the position of the guide vessel. Advantageously, the state of the hydrofoil is also transmitted, ie deployed or retracted.

[0072] Preferably, the information about speed and direction is obtained by geo-positioning means. Alternatively, the information is obtained by means embedded in the lead vessel.

[0073] When the follow-up receiver receives the information, the follow-up transmitter sends an acknowledgement confirming that the information was received and taken into account.

[0074] The control unit UC2 uses this information and the geographic location data of the following ship to infer the motion characteristics of the following ship, so that the following ship reproduces the same trajectory while maintaining a certain distance. It should be noted that the commands sent to the propulsion device 112 and rudder 110 of the following ship S take into account the mass of the following ship and other characteristics of the following ship that affect its motion.

[0075] In imitation mode, this cyclic communication runs continuously throughout the entire motion process.

[0076] The information frames also allow the transfer of information from the following vessel to the leading vessel, such as faults, information on navigation conditions (eg increase in swell). Thus, the control unit UC1 is always aware of the status and navigation conditions of the following vessel.

[0077] Other information can be sent to the following vessel, such as turning on the navigation lights and deploying the retractable top in case of rain. This information is then processed by the control unit UC2 when reappearance is required.

[0078] It should be noted that preferably the stability of the following vessel is managed automatically by equipment embedded in the following vessel so that the pilot of the lead vessel does not have to manage it, especially since they are at a distance from the lead vessel.

[0079] This direct communication mode between the two vessels provides robust and safe operation.

[0080] However, it may be preferably configured with computer security means (also called network security means) to increase the operational security of the transport system by protecting the communication between the two vessels and preventing any third party from hacking into their embedded electronic architecture.

[0081] Imitation can be partial. In some cases, it's desirable not to replicate the behavior of the lead vessel exactly. For example, the pilots may decide that the following vessel should or cannot imitate the lead vessel—for example, they believe the following vessel is too heavily loaded and cannot deploy its foils—and send a command to the control unit UC2 not to deploy the foils. Thus, when the lead vessel is moving at a speed sufficient to move on its foils, the following vessel replicates the lead vessel's trajectory and possibly its other behavior, but moves on its hull. In this configuration, once the distance between the two vessels exceeds a limit, the following vessel sends a signal to the lead vessel, which then reduces its speed to reduce the distance.

[0082] The differentiation mode will now be described.

[0083] According to the invention, the following vessel may be directly controlled by the lead vessel (eg by the pilot of the lead vessel) so that the following vessel moves differently than the lead vessel, eg during docking.

[0084] In practice, the lead vessel stops when docking at the pier, and the following vessel then stops a certain distance behind the lead vessel. To dock the following vessel, the following vessel can be controlled to perform a docking maneuver while the lead vessel is stationary. Furthermore, docking will be performed at a different location from the lead vessel. To do this, the pilot "takes control" using the human-machine interface and sends specific commands directly to the follower vessel's control unit UC2, instructing the follower vessel to perform the specified maneuver. In other words, the following vessel is then remotely controlled by the pilot. These commands can be transmitted using a short-range communication device.

[0085] The driver may send this instruction to the following vessel manually or automatically by the control unit UC1 , for example, if information about the mass of the luggage is received from the control unit UC2 and it is determined that the hydrofoils of the following vessel should not be deployed.

[0086] Alternatively, a message is sent to the pilot via the human-machine interface, and the pilot decides whether to command the control unit UC2 to prohibit the deployment of the hydrofoils.

[0087] This type of instruction may take into account several parameters (mass of the luggage, weather conditions such as wind speed, wave height, etc.) .

[0088] Advantageously, in the imitation mode, it is envisaged that the following vessel will not be able to overtake the leading vessel. Therefore, measures are taken to ensure that the following vessel always remains behind the leading vessel unless dock manoeuvres dictate otherwise.

[0089] Preferably, all information relevant to the navigation of the following vessel is displayed or at least accessible in the human-machine interface of the lead vessel so that the pilot is fully aware of the status of the following vessel. It can be configured so that the relative position of the two vessels is displayed, for example, as a top-down representation showing the following vessel and the lead vessel or any other visualization that can be obtained with or without the help of a camera embedded in the follower vessel.

[0090] An example of the movement of the transport system will now be described.

[0091] For example, the transport system is used by a hotel with bungalows located on the water of a bay, which wishes to transport its guests together with their luggage to their bungalows.

[0092] The lead and following vessels are anchored on the shore, with the foils raised and the rudders in place.

[0093] Guests board the lead vessel, and luggage is loaded onto the follower vessel. The luggage's quality is checked. Other conditions are checked and deemed suitable for deploying the follower vessel's hydrofoils. The follower vessel used to load the luggage may be positioned away from the lead vessel. This positioning may have been commanded by the lead vessel's pilot, who is in differential mode.

[0094] The transport system is ready to move to the single-storey villa.

[0095] The imitation mode is activated by the driver or automatically. If the position of the following vessel is far from the position of the leading vessel, the following vessel can be configured so that it automatically merges with the leading vessel.

[0096] The pilot activates the propulsion system of the lead vessel, which begins to move forward. Following this, the control unit activates the propulsion system and begins moving. The following vessel can begin moving after the lead vessel begins moving, to maintain the required safety distance.

[0097] When the water depth is sufficient, the pilot deploys the hydrofoils of the leading vessel. This information is sent to the control unit UC2 of the following vessel, which, by imitation, commands the deployment of the hydrofoils of the following vessel.

[0098] When the lead ship reaches a sufficient speed, the hull is raised and the lead ship enters "flight mode". The follower ship imitates the same behavior. Each ship manages its stability autonomously. Figure 4 In FIG, a schematic diagram of the motion of the transport system can be seen, where the lead vessel has a trajectory T and the follower vessel imitates the trajectory T.

[0099] The two ships move in convoy, with the following ship following the lead ship's path. At any time (possibly after a warning has been issued to the control unit UC1), the pilot can manually send instructions to the following ship to modify its behavior based on external events, or the control unit UC1 can do so automatically. The situations in which the control unit UC1 automatically intervenes are pre-recorded in the control unit's memory.

[0100] When the fleet reaches villa B, the lead vessel P positions itself parallel to the villa and stops, and the following vessel also stops. The driver then switches to differential mode and controls the following vessel. For example, the driver uses the human-machine interface to command the following vessel to move, such as docking, so that its stern is positioned toward the villa and to facilitate luggage unloading ( Figure 5 ). Alternatively, the following vessel can be parked very close to the leading vessel, regardless of the distance set during the movement. During movement in differentiation mode, the driver is able to see the following vessel.

[0101] It should be noted that the communication between the following vessel and the leading vessel is permanent, ie as long as the following vessel and the leading vessel are powered, communication is maintained between the two vessels even when the two vessels are docked.

[0102] A transport system comprising more than one following vessel is within the scope of the present invention. In this case, the human-machine interface is configured to allow selection of the following vessel to which the differentiation mode is to be applied.

[0103] exist Figure 6 In FIG. 4 , another example of a transport system according to the invention can be seen, where the following vessel S′ is a passenger transport vessel. The operation is similar to that described above.

[0104] It can be configured so that each boat transports passengers and their luggage.

[0105] It will be appreciated that the term "baggage" may also refer to ordinary cargo, and that the accompanying vessel may be used, for example, to transport supplies.

[0106] Furthermore, it should be understood that pilot vessels that do not transport persons other than the pilot are within the scope of the present invention.

[0107] A transportation system in which luggage is transported by a lead vessel and passengers are transported by a following vessel is within the scope of the present invention.

[0108] Furthermore, it should be understood that the transport system according to the present invention can realize any type of hydrofoil, which is equipped with or not equipped with retractable hydrofoils and has different shapes. In addition, the transport system can include hydrofoil of different models.

[0109] Additionally, transport systems in which the following vessel is not a hydrofoil but a conventional vessel are within the scope of the present invention.

[0110] By the present invention, a modular marine transport system can be created, the capacity and purpose of which can be easily adjusted as required. In fact, by adjusting the following ships, the marine transport system can be adapted to transport only passengers, transport passengers and luggage / cargo, or only luggage / cargo.

[0111] Furthermore, in the case of a fleet consisting of passenger boats, only one driver is required; it is conceivable to provide one person in each following boat simply to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Claims

1. A marine transport system comprising a first hydrofoil vessel (P) called a lead hydrofoil vessel and at least one second hydrofoil vessel (S) called a follower hydrofoil vessel, communication means (TCP, TCS) allowing information to be exchanged between the lead hydrofoil vessel (P) and the follower hydrofoil vessel (S), the lead hydrofoil vessel (P) comprising a cockpit, a control unit (UC1) and a geolocation device (GP), the follower hydrofoil vessel (S) comprising a control unit (UC2) and a geolocation device (GS), the transport system being configured to operate at least in an imitation mode, in which the lead hydrofoil vessel (P) is controlled by a pilot and the follower hydrofoil vessel (S) reproduces the movement behavior of the lead hydrofoil vessel (P), and in a differentiation mode, in which the movement behavior of the follower hydrofoil vessel (S) is controlled by the lead hydrofoil vessel (P).

2. The marine transportation system according to claim 1, wherein: In the differentiation mode, the motion behavior of the following hydrofoil vessel is directly controlled by the driver.

3. The marine transportation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The leading hydrofoil vessel is configured to send at least the position, direction and speed of the leading hydrofoil vessel to the control unit of the following hydrofoil vessel, and the control unit of the following hydrofoil vessel is configured to calculate a trajectory of the following hydrofoil vessel based on the direction and speed of the leading hydrofoil vessel.

4. The marine transportation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The communication device is a dedicated short-range communication device configured to ensure a direct information exchange between the leading hydrofoil vessel and the following hydrofoil vessel.

5. A marine transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The leading hydrofoil vessel includes at least one retractable hydrofoil, and the following hydrofoil vessel includes at least one retractable hydrofoil.

6. Marine transport system according to any of the preceding claims, configured to operate in another mode known as partial mimicry mode, wherein: The following hydrofoil vessel only reproduces a portion of the movement behavior of the leading hydrofoil vessel.

7. The marine transportation system according to claims 5 and 6, wherein: In the partial imitation mode, the control unit of the following hydrofoil vessel is configured to keep the hydrofoils of the following hydrofoil vessel in the retracted position, while the control unit of the leading hydrofoil vessel has deployed the hydrofoils of the leading hydrofoil vessel.

8. A marine transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cockpit is a specific human-machine interface and allows the following hydrofoil craft to be controlled in differentiated modes.

9. A marine transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The leading hydrofoil vessel is configured to transport people, and the following hydrofoil vessel is configured to transport objects, such as luggage.

10. A method of operating a transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: In imitation mode, The leading hydrofoil vessel sends information to the following hydrofoil vessel via the communication device, the information being, for example, the direction and speed of the leading hydrofoil vessel, - sending an acknowledgement of receipt of the information from the following hydrofoil vessel to the leading hydrofoil vessel, - taking into account said information by a control unit of said following hydrofoil vessel in order to calculate the trajectory and navigation conditions of said following hydrofoil vessel, In the differentiation mode, The leading hydrofoil vessel, for example, the pilot of the leading hydrofoil vessel, sends a control command to the following hydrofoil vessel, --The control instruction is executed by the following hydrofoil vessel.

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