Standardised type of connection which allows European class river barges to be used in maritime navigation by means of a tug

摘要

The invention concerns a standardised connection which allows European class IV and V river barges to be used in coastal maritime navigation by means of the use of a tug integrated with the barges themselves. The connection consists in providing the stern end of the barge with a recess, denominated basin section, with identical dimensions for all the barges independently from the fact that their widths correspond to European classes IV - V; watertight gaskets are fitted along the transverse section of the stern end of this recess. The prow shapes of the tug which integrates itself with the barge corresponds with those of the basin section. Furthermore, the tug is fitted with appropriate ballast boxes which can be filled to immerse the tug until its bottom comes into contact with the bottom of the basin section. By sucking out the water remaining between the hull of the tug and the basin section and as an effect of the tightness of the gaskets, the prow end of the tug becomes completely dry and is therefore no longer influenced by the external wave motion while, because of the difference in the hydrostatic head between the prow end (dry) and the stern end (wet) it creates a horizontal force which keeps the tug rigidly connected to the barge. IMAGE