A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a water vehicle including a deck that accommodates a group of passengers above a waterline and an observation gondola accommodating the group of passengers below the waterline. The access between the observation
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a water vehicle including a deck that accommodates a group of passengers above a waterline and an observation gondola accommodating the group of passengers below the waterline. The access between the observation gondola and the deck is provided by way of an aperture in a top of the observation gondola. The observation gondola includes a transparent floor and walls allowing the group of passengers to enjoy an underwater experience without exposure to the water and while maintaining an unobstructed panoramic view of the underwater environment. The underwater observation gondola can include a substantially open top, which may include a sun screen or weather protective cover. The open top exposes the observation gondola to fresh air, while alleviating any claustrophobic sensations as might otherwise be experienced by passengers during underwater observation. Other embodiments are disclosed.
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1. A water vehicle, comprising: a deck that accommodates a plurality of passengers;a hull arranged to support the deck above a waterline; andan observation gondola extendable below the waterline and secured relative to the deck, comprising: a transparent floor having a size and shape that facilitate
1. A water vehicle, comprising: a deck that accommodates a plurality of passengers;a hull arranged to support the deck above a waterline; andan observation gondola extendable below the waterline and secured relative to the deck, comprising: a transparent floor having a size and shape that facilitates the plurality of passengers observing an underwater environment;a top edge defining a perimeter of an open area directly above a portion of the transparent floor reserved for the plurality of passengers, wherein the open area is accessible from the deck; anda plurality of transparent walls, each wall of the plurality of transparent walls extending between the transparent floor and the top edge, wherein the transparent floor, the top edge and the plurality of transparent walls collectively define an interior region sufficiently sized to accommodate the plurality of passengers below the waterline. 2. The water vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hull comprises a plurality of hulls, and wherein the transparent floor comprises an optically transparent flat floor suspended above a transparent bottom portion. 3. The water vehicle of claim 2, wherein the transparent floor comprises: a plurality of transparent floor sections; anda frame positioned between adjacent transparent floor sections of the plurality of transparent floor sections, wherein a space between the transparent floor and the transparent bottom portion accommodates a ballast. 4. The water vehicle of claim 1, wherein a transparent wall of the plurality of transparent walls comprises: a plurality of transparent wall sections; anda frame positioned between adjacent transparent wall sections of the plurality of transparent wall sections. 5. The water vehicle of claim 4, wherein the frame comprises a mounting bracket arranged to support an auxiliary device mounted thereon. 6. The water vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a helm positioned above the deck, wherein the open area overlaps at least 50% of the transparent floor. 7. The water vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a roof suspended above the deck and overlapping the open area above the transparent floor, wherein the open area of the observation gondola is exposed to the atmosphere along a peripheral aperture defined between the roof and the deck. 8. The water vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a propulsion system to reposition the water vehicle. 9. The water vehicle of claim 1, wherein the observation gondola further comprises transparent passenger seating to accommodate a group of passengers among the plurality of passengers. 10. A method comprising: supporting a plurality of passengers upon a deck of a first water vehicle, wherein the deck is above a waterline;controlling movement of the first water vehicle from a helm positioned above the deck;supporting, during underwater observation, the plurality of passengers upon a transparent floor of a cabin defining an interior region sized to accommodate the plurality of passengers and having a top portal defining an open area accessible to the deck, wherein the plurality of passengers when situated within the interior region are below the waterline during the underwater observation, and wherein the plurality of passengers can observe a surrounding environment through the transparent floor;accommodating, by way of the top portal, an unobstructed transfer of the plurality of passengers between the deck and the interior region of the cabin, wherein the top portal is positioned above a transparent floor of the cabin; andexposing the interior region of the cabin to open-air by way of the top portal during the underwater observation, wherein the open area of the top portal overlaps a portion of the transparent floor that provides a viewing space. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of passengers comprises at least forty passengers, the method comprising vertically repositioning the cabin with respect to the deck. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising shading from solar exposure a portion of the deck and the top portal without obstructing the exposing of the interior region of the cabin to the open-air. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising controllably transporting the first water vehicle during the underwater observation. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: positioning the first water vehicle at a location destination separated from a point of embarkation; andtransporting by way of a second water vehicle a group of the plurality of passengers between the point of embarkation and the first water vehicle at the location destination. 15. A system comprising: a first hull;a second hull substantially parallel to the first hull and spaced apart from the first hull;a deck supported upon a top surface of a bridge coupled to the first hull and the second hull, wherein the deck is located above a waterline;a helm positioned above the deck, wherein the helm permits a controlled movement of the system in an aqueous environment; anda gondola, having an interior region and a top portion defining a portal, wherein the gondola is secured with respect to the deck when configured for underwater observation, wherein the interior region of the gondola extends below the waterline to accommodate a plurality of adult human passengers below the waterline to observe an underwater environment, wherein the gondola comprises: a transparent floor;a top portion positioned above the transparent floor and including a portal defining an open area overlapping a portion of the transparent floor having a size and shape that facilitates the plurality of adult human passengers observing an underwater environment; anda plurality of transparent walls extending between the transparent floor and the top portion. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a passageway disposed between the deck and the transparent floor, by way of the portal to allow the plurality of adult human passengers to move freely between the interior region of the gondola and the deck. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the top portion including the portal comprises top portions of each wall of the plurality of transparent walls. 18. The system of claim 15, further comprising: a renewable energy generation system; andan energy storage system coupled to the renewable energy generation system to store energy generated by the renewable energy generation system. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the gondola can be raised and lowered with respect to the deck. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein a single transparent member comprises a wall of the plurality of transparent walls and the transparent floor.
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Gaudreau ; Jr. Charles H. (2736 Octavia St. New Orleans LA 70115), Apparatus for wheelchair fittings.
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