Modular fixings for a small vessel moonpool

Abstract

An ocean-going vessel 1 of less than 24m in length having an above waterline plan area A, a forward end 11 and an aft end 13. The vessel comprises two longitudinally extending hulls 2, connected by a

Description

Field The present invention relates to ocean-going vessels. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ocean-going vessel including a moonpool equipped with a plurality of locking mechanisms for attachment of a modular payload to the vessel over the moonpool. Background Apertures in ocean-going vessels which extend through the structure of the vessel to give access to the ocean are known as moonpools. Typically, moonpools extend from an upper deck area to below the waterline. Advantageously, moonpools provide sheltered access to the ocean, mitigating against rough seas and offering a more stable environment to lower payloads such as equipment or other vessels into the water compared to deploying these over the side of the vessel into the open ocean. Using a moonpool for deployment allows load to be manipulated closer to the centre of gravity of the vessel, improving the stability of the vessel on the water. Any movement of the vessel, e.g. pitching and rolling, is also minimised at the vessel’s centre of gravity and or centre of buoyancy, lessening the impact of deployment on the vessel’s stability and trim. These factors are of particular concern for small vessels, where the weight of the payload to be deployed may amount to a significant percentage of the vessel’s own weight. Using a moonpool for deployment of payloads from a small vessel brings the advantages detailed above. However, useful payloads may be so large as to take up a significant amount of space on a small vessel and as such fit tightly in a moonpool. This increases the risk of damage to sensitive equipment, which may come into contact with the sides of the moonpool in rough seas. The larger the moonpool, the less likely this is to occur. However, a larger moonpool does not necessarily mitigate against this risk, as a larger water surface area contained at the bottom of the moonpool combined with the small size of the vessel leads to increased sloshing, which is equally likely to cause an impact between the payload and the sides of the moonpool. Sloshing is well understood in the art to refer to the oscillation of water within a closed space such as a moonpool, and is affected by external sea conditions and the motion of the vessel as well as the size of the moonpool. Due to advances in drone technology, deployment of aerial equipment from vessels is also desirable. The capability to deploy both aerial and marine equipment from a single vessel gives access to a wide array of data, for example allowing undersea environmental conditions to be sampled as well as photographed from the air. In small vessels, rapid deployment of diverse types of equipment and the capability to launch both marine and aerial equipment from a limited deck space is a challenge. Different payloads often require the vessel to have different mounting arrangements which will often require extensive structural remodelling to adapt the vessel to deploy a particular set of equipment. Exchanging such systems is costly and time-consuming, requiring extensive rework of the vessel in port or removal of the vessel from the ocean. Repurposing of a vessel at sea is impossible due to the changes required to the vessel. Research and discovery equipment and other payloads that are associated with deployment through a moonpool are often sensitive and fragile. They require extensive modification of a vessel in order to be mounted thereon. Shipping such fragile equipment is a challenge that often requires special shipping arrangements such as hiring or obtaining of a bespoke transport solution. At least extensive effort must be made to package such equipment into a commercial shipping container for movement about the world. That shipping container is then often discarded or must be stored at the port where the vessel is being adapted to receive the equipment. Accordingly, the present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problems. Summary of Invention According to a first aspect, there is provided an ocean-going vessel of less than 24m in length having an above waterline plan area A, a forward end and an aft end; the vessel comprising: two longitudinally extending hulls, connected by a deck structure that is suspended above the waterline of the vessel; a moonpool comprising an aperture having a perimeter P, extending through the deck structure between the two hulls for providing access to the water, a plurality of locking mechanisms located on or near the perimeter P for attaching a modular payload to the vessel over the moonpool; the moonpool having an area M of at least 40% of A. Advantageously, this configuration provides a moonpool with a large area M relative to that of the above waterline plan area A. This allows larger payloads to be deployed whilst maintaining the stability of the vessel, despite the vessel’s small size. Additionally, the moonpool extends through the deck structure, which is suspended above the waterline, meaning that the bottom of the moonpool is also above the waterline. This negates the issue of sloshing and any adverse effect on the payload or its deployment. Further advantageously, the addition of locking mechanisms at or around the perimeter P of the moonpool allows modular payloads to be secured extending over the moonpool. Equipment contained in said payloads are thus positioned to be deployed either via the moonpool into the water below, aerially or both. The ocean-going vessels of the present invention thus have both marine and aerial deployment capacity despite their small size. Further, any modular payload compatible with the perimeter locking mechanism can be deployed in this manner without the need to add different mounting systems to the vessel to facilitate deployment of diverse forms of equipment. Optionally, the plurality of locking mechanisms may be a plurality of lifting points for lifting the vessel clear of the water via a crane. Advantageously, the use of lifting points allows the ocean-going vessel to be lifted clear of the water for maintenance when necessary without the requirement for specific lifting equipment such as a sling, boat crane or indeed the need for a costly dry dock. Having an efficient fast method of moving the vessel from the water also avoids the difficulties and cost associated with repairs whilst the vessel is still on the water. Optionally, the ocean-going vessel may include a main structure and the locking mechanisms may be fixed to the main structure of the vessel. Optionally, the plurality of locking mechanisms are for receiving ISO container fixing blocks and the modular payload may comprise an ISO container. Advantageously, by using ISO containers and their associated fixings the invention is compatible with the world’s most widely adopted form of shipping container, allowing easy integration with existing logistic systems. When the locking mechanisms are also a plurality of lifting points the vessel may be lifted from the water by any container lifting equipment compatible with ISO containers. Optionally, the ocean-going vessel may include four locking mechanisms located on or near the perimeter P of the aperture, each located at the vertices of a rectangle for receiving complementary fixing blocks at four corners of the modular payload. Optionally, a vertical downward projection of the area M of the moonpool meets only water and / or does not intersect with the vessel, enabling downward access to the water from the modular payload. Advantageously allowing deployment of any waterborne payload from a modular payload positioned above the moonpool. Optionally, the aperture of the moonpool may extend longitudinally a length L and laterally a width W, wherein the minimum ratio of LW is 2:1. Optionally, the ocean-going vessel may include a power connection and / or a data connection adjacent to and / or accessible from the moonpool for transferring power and / or data respectively to the modular payload from the vessel. Advantageously, allowing a modular payload to benefit from the power connection and data connection and / or integration of the vessel’s power and / or data systems with that of the payload. Optionally, the modular payload may include a ship's bridge for manned control of the vessel therefrom. Advantageously, providing a facility for the ocean-going vessel to be crewed if necessary. This is particularly useful when the vessel is an autonomous vessel without a bridge for use by humans. Optionally, the moonpool may have a centre point C positioned equidistant from each of the two hulls and / or equidistant from the forward end and aft end. Optionally, the ratio of LW may have a maximum of 3:1 length to width to accommodate a 30ft ISO container or a maximum of 4:1 length to width to accommodate a 40ft ISO container. Optionally, the ocean-going vessel may include first mounting points at the perimeter P of the aperture for reversibly attaching modular longitudinal mounting beams and / or modular transverse mounting beams having complementary second mounting points and further locking mechanisms for attaching a smaller modular payload; optionally the vessel may include the longitudinal mounting beams and / or transverse mounting beams. Optionally the first mounting points may be located at or adjacent the locking mechanism or on the perimeter P at the locking mechanism and the mounting beams extending between a pair of said locking mechanisms and preferably mounting beams extend between two pairs of locking mechanisms. Optionally, the aperture of the moonpool may have two modular transverse mounting beams and / or modular longitudinal mounting beams for receiving said smaller modular payload. Optionally, the further locking mechanisms of the one or more mounting beams may be arranged to enable the mounting of the smaller modular payload over the moonpool, wherein the smaller modular payload is an 8ft ISO container, 10ft ISO container, 20ft ISO container, or 40ft ISO container. Optionally, the further locking mechanisms of the one or more mounting beams may be arranged to enable the mounting of the smaller modular payload over the moonpool at the aft end, at the centre point C of the moonpool, or over the moonpool at the forward end. Optionally, the further locking mechanisms of the one or more mounting beams may be arranged to enable the mounting of a plurality of smaller modular payloads over the moonpool, such as two 8ft ISO containers or two 10ft ISO containers; preferably wherein a first smaller modular payload is attached over the moon pool at the aft end and a second smaller modular payload is attached over the moon pool at the forward end for deployment of multiple payloads. Advantageously, the integration of modular mounting beams across the moonpool in either the longitudinal or transverse direction allows the size, position, and number of modular payloads suspended over the moonpool to be varied. For example, smaller payloads can still be positioned directly over the centre of the moonpool by utilising connections to an arrangement of modular mounting beams. Likewise, two or more payloads can be positioned over the moonpool simultaneously by utilising connections to an arrangement of modular beams. The modular mounting beams may have locking mechanisms located to allow one or more smaller modular payloads to use the fixing points at the perimeter P in combination with one or more fixing points on a mounting beam. The mounting beams are removable to allow a payload that mounts on the fixing points at the perimeter P to extend across the moon pool with unobstructed access to the water. The mounting beams may be exchanged for mounting beams with different arrangements of auxiliary or further locking mechanism’s for receiving different sized / different quantities and / or place the modular pay load in a different position. The former allowing the vessel to receive a plurality of modular payloads and accordingly fulfil two roles simultaneously or switch role during a voyage without returning to port or refitting of the vessel. The latter of which may be advantageous for managing the centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy of the vessel. Optionally, the modular payload may include a base, a closable opening from which to deploy a payload, and / or a plurality of fixing points for receiving the plurality of locking mechanisms. Optionally, said closable opening may be located in the base for deployment of part of or all of the payload through the moonpool into the water. Optionally, the ocean-going vessel may be a SWATH vessel and / or autonomous vessel and / or a crewed vessel. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having I ike-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan or top view of the vessel; Figure 2 shows a front view of the vessel; Figure 3 shows a plan or top view of the vessel equipped with longitudinal mounting beams and a smaller modular payload; Figure 4 shows a detail isometric view of the locking mechanism at the perimeter P and the modular longitudinal mounting beams mounted across the aperture; and Figure 5 shows a detail expanded view of the power connection and data connection. Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the vessel without mounting beams and with a payload. Specific Description Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment will now be described. Figure 1 shows a plan view of an ocean-going vessel 1. Ocean-going vessel 1 herein refers to a vessel 1 which is suitable for use in remote seas distant from the shore and as such able to withstand open ocean environments and weather. The ocean-going vessel 1 has a forward end 11, an aft end 13, two longitudinally extending hulls 2, and a deck structure 4 which connects the hulls 2. The deck structure 4 is suspended above the waterline of the vessel 1 such that it is clear of the water. The waterline of an oceangoing vessel 1 is well understood in the art as the boundary between the submerged portion of the vessel and that above water whilst the vessel is afloat. In the embodiment shown, the two hulls 2 of the vessel 1 are designed to sit below the waterline WTL (see Figure 2). The skilled person will understand that a twin hulled vessel 1 wherein the hulls 2 sit above and below the waterline WTL in a conventional fashion is also within the scope of the invention. Deck structure 4 refers herein to the combined structural features of the vessel 1 which connect the hulls 2 and form the above waterline portion of the vessel’s 1 structure. The deck structure 4 may comprise a conventional flat deck 4a in the plane or close to the plane of the water. The vessel 1 has an above waterline plan area A. Above waterline plan area A, herein, refers to the total surface area of the horizontal projection of all parts of the vessel 1 that are above the waterline WTL (see Figure 2). In the embodiment shown, the above waterline plan area A can therefore be considered the total surface area of the horizontal projection of the deck structure 4. In other words, the visible area when viewed from vertically above, that is above the waterline. The vessel 1 also comprises a moonpool 10 comprising an aperture 12 with area M having a perimeter P, which extends through the deck structure 4 between the two hulls 2 for providing access to the water. Typically, the edge of the aperture 12 which extends through the deck structure 4 forms the perimeter P. The area M is the plan area of the aperture 12. The area M is at least 40% of the above waterline plan area A, preferably area M is at least 50% of the area A, further preferably M is at least 60% of the area A, and most preferably M is 60%-90% of the area A. Preferably, the aperture 12 is shaped to receive a modular payload 100 and accordingly has a length L and a width W and the ratio of L to W is at least a ratio of 2:1. The aperture 12 may have a maximum ratio of LW of 3:1 if the payload 100 is a 30ft container or 4:1 if the payload 100 is a 40ft container. In the embodiment shown, the vertical downward projection of the area M of the moonpool 10 meets only water and does not intersect with the vessel 1, enabling easy unobstructed downward access to the water. The moonpool 12 also has a centre point C positioned equidistant from the each of the two hulls 2 and / or equidistant from the forward end 11 and aft end 13 of the vessel 1. The vessel 1 of Figure 1 is also equipped with a plurality of locking mechanisms 20 at or near the perimeter P for attaching a modular payload 100 over the moonpool 10. The locking mechanism 20 may include a platform 24 for supporting the weight of the load adjacent or surrounding the locking mechanism 20. At or near the perimeter may be within 30cm, 50cm or in extremis 1m from the perimeter P. Preferably the edge of the platform for supporting the load at the locking mechanism will extend to the perimeter P in order to provide the maximum span for access to the water through the moonpool 10 from the modular payload 100. In the embodiment shown, four locking mechanisms 20 are provided, but three or more may be present. The locking mechanisms 20 are located on protrusions 21 extending into the aperture 12 that thus form part of the perimeter P. These protrusions 21 maximise the area available for the payload 100 to access the water through the moonpool 10. The locking mechanisms 20 are also lifting points 22 for lifting the vessel 1 clear of the water. Note the vessel 1 shown in figure 1 does not include the optional mounting beams 14, 16 but may be configured to receive said mounting beams 14, 16. The vessel of Figure 1 includes a main structure 6 to which the locking mechanisms 20 are affixed. In the case of the arrangement of Figure 1 the protrusions 21 form part of the main structure 6. The main structure 6 refers herein to a structure designed to transfer load to the hulls 2, and is also be referred to as a hull structure. Modular payload 100 refers herein to a container suitable for containing a cargo 200 to be deployed from the vessel 1 and including standardised fixings complementary with the locking mechanisms 20 of the vessel 1 for easy integration with the vessel 1. Said cargo 200 is not particularly limited, but for example may be aquatic or aerial environmental monitoring equipment. The cargo may include submersible sensors or a remotely operated or autonomous airborne or waterborne vehicles. The modular payload 100 may comprise an ISO container 102. ISO containers 102 are an accepted standard worldwide and typical containers may be for example 8ft, 10ft, 20ft, 30ft, or 40ft in length having a standard width. Adopting such a standard for the modular payload 100, 104 provides the additional benefit of being able to ship the modular payload using commercial shipping services and not have to discard or store a container at the location the payload 100 is loaded on the vessel 1. The vessel of Figure 1 is also equipped with a power connection 30 and data connection 40 for connecting the power and data systems of the vessel 1 to those of the modular payload 100. The power connection may pass power from the power source of the vessel to the payload 100. The payload 100 may also pass power generated from for example solar or other means back to the vessel 1. The payload 100 may benefit via the data connection 40 from communications systems of the vessel 1. The vessel 1 as configured in Figure 1 is for receiving a payload 100 that includes fixing points 120 positioned to receive the locking mechanism 20 at the perimeter P of the moonpool 10. Preferably the fixing points 120 are located outermost on the modular payload 100 to maximise the area of the payload 100 extending across the aperture 12 and exposed thereto, for providing access to the water through the moonpool 10. The locking mechanisms 20 shown in Figure 1 are located at the front end 11 and the rear end 13 of the moonpool 20. Accordingly, the payload 100, when mounted to the vessel 1 will extend from the locking mechanisms 20 at the front end 11 and the locking mechanisms 20 at the rear end 13 of the moonpool 20, across the moonpool 10, with unobstructed access through the moonpool 10 to the water. The vessel 1 of Figure 1 shows the locking mechanisms 20 arranged at the vertices of a rectangular aperture 12 in order to receive a modular payload 100 including fixing points 120 or payload locking mechanisms 120 complementary to the locking mechanism 20 of the vessel 10. Thereby maximising the area available for the payload 100 to access the water through the moonpool 10. The ocean-going vessel shown 1 shown in Figure 1 is a small waterline area twin hull vessel, or SWATH vessel 1a. The embodiment shown is also an autonomous vessel 1b. However, the vessel may alternatively be a, remotely controlled, semi-autonomous, or crewed vessel. If crewed the modular payload 100 may include a ship’s bridge 60 for manned control of the vessel 1. Figure 2 shows a front view of the vessel 1 of Figure 1 with a modular payload 100 suspended over the moonpool 10 by the means described above. In the embodiment shown, the payload 100 includes a base 114, a closable opening 116 from which to deploy a cargo 200, and a plurality of fixing points 120 for receiving the plurality of locking mechanisms 20. Referring to Figure 3, a second embodiment will now be described. Figures 3 shows the vessel 1 of Figure 1 further equipped with modular longitudinally extending mounting beams 14, shown with a smaller modular payload 104 mounted thereto, toward the rear end 13 of the vessel 1. Figure 3 shows a top view of the vessel 1. Like features have the same reference numerals. The skilled person will understand that transverse extending mounting beams 16 could also be used and that the smaller modular payload 104 could be mounted in another position including a central position and a forward position. A smaller payload 104 is shorter or smaller than the payload 100 and therefore does not extend between the plurality of locking mechanism at the perimeter P of the moonpool 10. Accordingly, the mounting beams 14, 16 are included to support the smaller payload 104 and provide further locking mechanisms 24 at a suitable point for the smaller payload 104 whilst maintaining maximum access area to the water through the moonpool 10. A payload 100 or one or more smaller payloads 104 in use extend across the aperture 12 of the moonpool 10. The payloads 100, 104 include a base 114, a closable opening 116 from which to deploy a cargo 200, and a plurality of fixing points 120 for receiving the plurality of locking mechanisms 20. Preferably, the base 114 of the payloads 100, 104 is a square or a rectangle. The base 114 includes fixing points 120 at each corner of the base 114 and the payloads 100, 104 are capable of supporting themselves between these fixing points 120 to enable them to extend across the aperture 12 of the moonpool 10 when loaded on the vessel 1. The closable opening 116 is preferably located in the base 114 for providing access for the cargo from the one or more payloads 100, 104 to the water through the moonpool 10. The vessel 1 is equipped with first mounting points 50 at the perimeter P for reversibly attaching the mounting beams 14. The mounting beams 14, 16 include second mounting points 52 complementary to the first mounting points 50 for reversibly attaching the mounting beams 14,16 thereto. In Figure 3 the mounting points 50 are adjacent the locking mechanisms 20 at the perimeter P of the moonpool 10. There are two first mounting points 50 at the front end 11 of the moonpool 10 and two first mounting points 50 at the rear end 13 of the moonpool 10. There are two longitudinally extending mounting beams 14 that run longitudinally parallel to one another between the two first mounting points 50 at the front end 11 of the moonpool 10 and the two first mounting points 50 at the rear end 13 of the moonpool 10. This arrangement provides the maximum unobstructed access for the smaller payload 104 to access the water through the moonpool 10 and a plurality of further locking mechanisms 24 equidistant from one another. Thus providing maximum flexibility in mounting positions and compatibility with different sizes of modular payload 100, 104. Mounting beams 14, 16 refer herein to beams which span the moonpool 10. They may be longitudinal mounting beams 14 extending in a longitudinal direction, parallel to length L of the moonpool 10, or transverse mounting beams 16 extending in a lateral direction, parallel to width W of the moonpool 10, for supporting smaller modular payloads 104. The mounting beams 14, 16 are modular and interchangeable for providing different arrangements of further locking mechanisms 24 for receiving different sizes of smaller payload 104 and or locating smaller payloads 104 in different locations. Smaller payloads 104 may be mounted for example in a forward position a mid-position or a rear position. Two smaller payloads 104 may be arranged one in a forward position and the other in a rear position. Figure 3 show the vessel of Figure 1 further including two longitudinally extending mounting beams 14 and with a smaller payload 104 mounted on the vessel 1. The modular payload 100 is mounted to the two locking mechanisms 20 at the perimeter P at the end of the moon pool 10 proximal the rear end 13 and to two further locking mechanisms 24 of the mounting beams 14, 16. Accordingly the smaller payload 104 extends between the mounting beams 14, 16 suspended over the moonpool 10 for direct access to the water through the aperture 12 of the moonpool 10. In the embodiment shown, the modular payload 100 includes a plurality of fixing points 120 for receiving the locking mechanisms 20. The modular payload 100 also comprises a base 114 and a closable opening 116 from which a cargo 200 can be deployed via the moonpool. The vessel 1 in Figure 3 is equipped with two modular longitudinal mounting beams 14, but the skilled person will understand modular transverse mounting beams 16, also equipped with second mounting points 52 and further locking mechanisms 24, may be used. Likewise, the vessel 1 may be equipped with any reasonable number of modular mounting beams 14, 16, as necessary to support the chosen arrangement of smaller modular payloads 104 extending between said mounting beams 14, 16 in order to provide access to the water through the moonpool 10. The mounting beams 14,16 each have a first end 18 and a second end 19 and include second mounting points 52 at each end complementary to and for attaching to the first mounting points 50. The mounting beams 14, 16 also include further locking mechanisms 24 for attaching a smaller modular payload 104 over the moonpool 10. In the embodiment shown, a single smaller modular payload 104 is attached to the modular longitudinal mounting beams 14, but any number of smaller modular payloads 104 may be mounted to the vessel 1 if they fit in the space available. In the embodiment shown, the smaller modular payload 104 is positioned at one end of the moonpool 10 towards the aft end 13 of the vessel 1. One or more smaller modular payloads may be provided in any reasonable position, such as closer to the forward end 11 of the vessel 1, or directly over the centre point C of the moonpool 10. Figure 4 shows an isometric detail view of the locking mechanisms 20, the first attachment points 50, the second attachment points 52 and the mounting beams 14 of the vessel 1 of Figure 3. Like features have like reference numerals. The first mounting points 50 and locking mechanisms 20 are located on protrusions 21 forming part of the perimeter P of the aperture 12. The mounting beams 14, 16 are shown extending from and between the locking mechanisms 20 across the moonpool. A first mounting beam 14a and a second mounting beam 14b extending parallel thereto are shown. The further locking mechanisms 24 may be provided at any point on the modular mounting beams 14, 16 to facilitate suspension of one or more smaller modular payloads over the moonpool in the desired configuration. However, as shown in Figure 4 the further locking mechanisms 24 are preferably provided in pairs each an equal distance along their respective mounting beam 14, 16 for receipt of the smaller modular payload 104. The first and second attachment points 50, 52 are complementary and reversable for easy fitting, exchange or removal of mounting beams 14, 16. Thereby, allowing easy reconfiguring of the vessel 1 for different payloads 100, including smaller payloads 104. Figure 5 shows an expanded view of the power connection 30 and data connection 40. A power connection 30 and data connection 40 are provided at or near the perimeter P of the aperture 12 for easy connection with the corresponding systems of the modular payload 100. Complementary power 130 and data connections 140 are preferably found located at the outer surface of the payload 100. Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the vessel 1 of Figure 1 with an ISO container 102 suspended over the moonpool 10 by the means described above. In use the vessel 1 may be lifted from the water using the locking mechanisms 20 that are also lifting points 22 for maintenance, for replacement of the mounting beams 14, 16 or for faster and easier transport by land to an alternative location for deployment. As the lifting points 22 are the same as the locking mechanisms 20 for receiving a modular payload 100 the vessel 1 may be lifted from the water using the standard lifting equipment used to load modular payloads 100 available at almost every port. A payload 100 or one or more smaller payloads 104 in use are mounted to the vessel 1. The payloads 100, 104 extend unsupported between the fixing points 20, 24 across the aperture 12 of the moonpool 10. Once mounted the central section of the payload 100, 104 is unsupported. This allows the base 114 of the container to include an opening 116 for deployment of cargo through the moonpool 10 into the water. Preferably this opening 116 is closable and sealable to protect the cargo 200 between deployments. Cargo 200 may include sensors for monitoring water or sea state, remote operated or autonomous underwater vehicles, all of which may be advantageously deployed through the moonpool 10. Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure. Any feature in one aspect may be applied to other aspects, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and / or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination. It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects can be implemented and / or supplied and / or used independently.

Claims

1. An ocean-going vessel (1) of less than 24m in length having an above waterline plan area A, a forward end (11) and an attend (13); the vessel (1) comprising:two longitudinally extending hulls (2), connected by a deck structure (4), that is suspended above the waterline of the vessel (1);a moonpool (10) comprising an aperture (12) having a perimeter P, extending through the deck structure (4) between the two hulls (2) for providing access to the water, a plurality of locking mechanisms (20) located on or near the perimeter P, for attaching a modular payload (100) to the vessel (1) over the moonpool (10);the moonpool (10) having an area M of at least 40% of A.

2. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of locking mechanisms (20) are also a plurality of lifting points (22) for lifting the vessel (1) clear of the water via a crane.

3. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the vessel (1) includes a main structure (6) and the locking mechanisms (20) are fixed to the main structure (6) of the vessel (1).

4. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the modular payload comprises an ISO container (102) and the plurality of locking mechanisms (20) are for receiving ISO container fixing blocks.

5. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim including four locking mechanisms (20) located on or near the perimeter P of the aperture (12) each located at the vertices of a rectangle for receiving complementary fixing blocks at four corners of the modular payload (100)6. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein a vertical downward projection of the area M of the moonpool (10) meets only water and / or does not intersect with the vessel (1), enabling downward access to the water from the modular payload (100).

7. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the aperture (12) of the moonpool (10) extends longitudinally a length L and laterally a width W, wherein the minimum ratio of L:Wis 2:1.

8. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim including a power connection (30) and / or a data connection (40) adjacent to and / or accessible from the moonpool (10) for transferring power and / or data respectively to the modular payload (100) from the vessel (1).

9. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the modular payload (100) includes a ship's bridge (60) for manned control of the vessel (1) therefrom.

10. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the moonpool (10) has a centre point C positioned equidistant from each of the two hulls (2) and / or equidistant from the forward end (11) and aft end (13).

11. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 7 wherein the ratio of L:W has a maximum of 4:1 length to width to accommodate a 40ft ISO container or a maximum of 3:1 length to width to accommodate a 20ft ISO container.

12. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim including first mounting points (50) at the perimeter P of the aperture (12) for reversibly attaching modular longitudinal mounting beams (14) and / or modular transverse mounting beams (16) having complementary second mounting points (52) and further locking mechanisms (24) for attaching a smaller modular payload (104); optionally the vessel including the longitudinal mounting beams (14) and / or transverse mounting beams (16).

13. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 12 wherein the aperture (12) of the moonpool (10) has two modular transverse mounting beams (16) and / or modular longitudinal mounting beams (14) for receiving said smaller modular payload (104).

14. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the further locking mechanisms (24) of the one or more modular mounting beams (14, 16) are arranged to enable the mounting of the smaller modular payload (104) over the moonpool (10), wherein the smaller modular payload (104) is an 8ft ISO container, 10ft ISO container, 20ft ISO container, or 40ft ISO container.enable the mounting of the smaller modular payload (104) over the moonpool (10) at the attend (13), at the centre point C of the moonpool (10), or over the moonpool (10) at the forward end (11).

16. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the further locking mechanisms (24) of the one or more modular mounting beams (14, 16) are arranged to enable the mounting of a plurality of smaller modular payloads (104) over the moonpool (10), such as two 8ft ISO containers or two 10ft ISO containers;preferably wherein a first smaller modular payload (104) is attached over the moon pool (10) at the attend (13) and a second smaller modular payload (104) is attached over the moon pool (10) at the forward end (11) for deployment of multiple payloads.

17. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the modular payload (100) includes a base (114), a closable opening (116) from which to deploy a cargo (200), and a plurality of fixing points (120) for receiving the plurality of locking mechanisms (20).

18. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 17 wherein said closable opening (116) is located in the base (114) for deployment of part of or all of the cargo (200) through the moonpool (10) into the water.

19. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel (1) is a SWATH vessel (1a) and / or autonomous vessel (1b) and / or a crewed vessel.18 03 25AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-CLAIMS:

1. An ocean-going vessel (1) of less than 24m in length having an above waterline plan area A, a forward end (11) and an attend (13); the vessel (1) comprising:5 two longitudinally extending hulls (2), connected by a deck structure (4), that is suspended above the waterline of the vessel (1);a moonpool (10) comprising an aperture (12) having a perimeter P, extending through the deck structure (4) between the two hulls (2) for providing access to the water, a plurality of locking mechanisms (20) located on or near the perimeter P, for securing a io modular payload (100) to the vessel (1) over the moonpool (10);the moonpool (10) having an area M of at least 40% of A.

2. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of locking mechanisms (20) are also a plurality of lifting points (22) for lifting the vessel (1) clear of is the water via a crane.

3. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the vessel (1) includes a main structure (6) and the locking mechanisms (20) are fixed to the main structure (6) of the vessel (1).

204. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the modular payload comprises an ISO container (102) and the plurality of locking mechanisms (20) are for receiving ISO container fixing blocks.25 5. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim including four lockingmechanisms (20) located on or near the perimeter P of the aperture (12) each located at the vertices of a rectangle for receiving complementary fixing blocks at four corners of the modular payload (100).30 6. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein a verticaldownward projection of the area M of the moonpool (10) meets only water and / or does not intersect with the vessel (1), enabling downward access to the water from the modular payload (100).35 7. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the aperture (12)of the moonpool (10) extends longitudinally a length L and laterally a width W, wherein the minimum ratio of LWis 2:1.18 03 258. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim including a power connection (30) and / or a data connection (40) adjacent to and / or accessible from the moonpool (10) for transferring power and / or data respectively to the modular payload 5 (100) from the vessel (1).

9. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the modular payload (100) includes a ship's bridge (60) for manned control of the vessel (1) therefrom.1010. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the moonpool (10) has a centre point C positioned equidistant from each of the two hulls (2) and / or equidistant from the forward end (11) and aft end (13).is 11. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 7 wherein the ratio of L:Whas a maximum of 4:1 length to width to accommodate a 40ft ISO container or a maximum of 3:1 length to width to accommodate a 20ft ISO container.

12. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim including first mounting 20 points (50) at the perimeter P of the aperture (12) for reversibly attaching modular longitudinal mounting beams (14) and / or modular transverse mounting beams (16) having complementary second mounting points (52) and further locking mechanisms (24) for attaching a smaller modular payload (104); optionally the vessel including the longitudinal mounting beams (14) and / or transverse mounting beams (16).2513. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 12 wherein the aperture (12) of the moonpool (10) has two modular transverse mounting beams (16) and / or modular longitudinal mounting beams (14) for receiving said smaller modular payload (104).30 14. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the further lockingmechanisms (24) of the one or more modular mounting beams (14, 16) are arranged to enable the mounting of the smaller modular payload (104) over the moonpool (10), wherein the smaller modular payload (104) is an 8ft ISO container, 10ft ISO container, 20ft ISO container, or 40ft ISO container.3518 03 25enable the mounting of the smaller modular payload (104) over the moonpool (10) at the attend (13), at the centre point C of the moonpool (10), or over the moonpool (10) at the forward end (11).5 16. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the further lockingmechanisms (24) of the one or more modular mounting beams (14, 16) are arranged to enable the mounting of a plurality of smaller modular payloads (104) over the moonpool (10), such as two 8ft ISO containers or two 10ft ISO containers;preferably wherein a first smaller modular payload (104) is secured over the moon pool io (10) at the aft end (13) and a second smaller modular payload (104) is secured over the moon pool (10) at the forward end (11) for deployment of multiple payloads.

17. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the modular payload (100) includes a base (114), a closable opening (116) from which to deploy a is cargo (200), and a plurality of fixing points (120) for receiving the plurality of locking mechanisms (20).

18. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to claim 17 wherein said closable opening (116) is located in the base (114) for deployment of part of or all of the cargo (200) through the20 moonpool (10) into the water.

19. An ocean-going vessel (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel (1) is a SWATH vessel (1a) and / or autonomous vessel (1b) and / or a crewed vessel.

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