WO2025088311A1

WO2025088311A1 - A modular marine nose cone

Info

Publication number: WO2025088311A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/052701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil TINMOUTH; Michael Tinmouth
Original assignee: Acua Ocean Ltd
Current assignee: Acua Ocean Ltd
Priority date: 2023-10-23
Filing date: 2024-10-22
Publication date: 2025-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-23
Also published as: GB202316202D0; GB2634900A

Abstract

The present invention provides a modular integrated nose cone (10) for a waterborne vessel (1) comprising: a hydrodynamic external wall (20) defining an internal volume (22); a reversible attachment means (30) for reversibly attaching the nose cone (10) to a vessel (1); a watertight sensor chamber (40) for containing sensor (2) and or electronic (3) payloads located within the internal volume (22); a means (50) for exposing the sensor (2) and/or electronic (3) payload to the environment outside of the sensor chamber (40); a power connection (60) for transferring power to the nose cone (10); a data connection for transferring data (70) to and from the nose cone (10).

Description

A MODULAR MARINE NOSE CONE

Field

The present invention relates to modular marine nose cones. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular interchangeable submersible marine nose cones for operation specific uses.

Background

Scientific research vessels are expensive to produce and therefore are often not created new for each protect or purpose. This has led to an industry supporting research through providing such vessels for hire. Therefore, these vessels need to be flexible and adaptable to different applications. Vessels or waterborne vessels may include submarines or surface vessels.

It is challenging to deploy multiple configurations of payloads from such vessels, in particular surface vessels which maintain a watertight hull and may be large vessels suitable for the open ocean. Such vessels generally opt for gondolas. Gondolas are pole mounted sensors suspended beneath the vessel. These configurations result in increased resistance through the water due to increased skin friction and increased frontal area. As a result the vessel draws more power to move through the water, resulting in reduced endurance, greater operating costs and greater environmental penalty. Unless the vessel is powered by a renewable fuel source which is unknown for long endurance vessels at the filing date.

Gondola designs are often expensive to build especially if payload configurations are frequently adapted resulting in multiple modifications to the gondola. Such modifications are both time consuming and expensive. The modifications are often made by hand and the end result is often not hydrodynamically ideal resulting in disruption to the flow around the sensors which can impact the quality of the data collected.

In addition, the fitting and removal of gondola systems is a complex task usually requiring the vessel to which the gondola is to be fitted be out of the water. Research vessels are often large and this can require expensive lifting equipment or a dry dock. In addition to the expense of removing the vessel from the water there is also the down time associated with such a refit during which time the vessel can’t be put to use. Summary of Invention

Accordingly aspects and/or embodiments seek to provide:

• Reduced cost and reduced operational downtime for sensor changes and configuration;

• Remove the requirement to lift vessels from the water or dry dock to fit alternative sensor configurations;

• Delimit the number of available sensor configurations due to modularity; and/or

• Improve efficiency of vessel transit due to hydrodynamic design and reduced drag.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a modular integrated nose cone for a waterborne vessel comprising a hydrodynamic external wall defining an internal volume, a reversible attachment means for reversibly attaching the nose cone to a vessel, a watertight sensor chamber for containing sensor and or electronic payloads located within the internal volume, a means for exposing the sensor and/or electronic payload to the environment outside of the sensor chamber, a power connection for transferring power to the nose cone, and a data connection for transferring data to and from the nose cone.

Advantageously providing a single vessel that can be rapidly adapted to different research or monitoring tasks without the expense of removing the vessel from the water or introducing additional drag to the normal hull shape of the vessel.

Preferably, the waterborne vessel is a surface vessel.

Optionally, the means for exposing the sensor and or electronic payload to the environment outside of the sealed chamber comprises an interchangeable sensor face plate, wherein the external wall includes said sensor face plate. Preferably said sensor face plate is flush with the external wall. The modular face plate allowing the nose cone to be simply refitted and reassigned to a different task without modification.

Optionally, the external wall includes a tapered section, and preferably a straight section. Preferably the sensor face plate is located on the tapered section for reducing hydrodynamic drag. By locating the face plate on the tapered face of the nose cone the faceplate and associated sensors are subject to a positive pressure gradient and therefore, are less likely to increase drag by disturbing the boundary layer. Optionally, the face plate features sensor ports adapted for receiving specific sensors, the sensor ports may include one or more optical ports, thermal ports, sonar ports and/or wet ports. Thus, optimising efficiency and accuracy of different sensors without requiring modification of the main structure of the nose cone.

Optionally, the modular nose cone may have neutral buoyancy for ease of manipulation under the water. Optionally, the modular nose cone may have a centre of buoyancy B and a centre of gravity G, wherein B is located vertically above G when in the fitted orientation. B may be the centre of buoyancy with the waterline at the level it will be when the nose cone is fitted to the vessel. Preferably B is the centre of buoyancy of the nose cone when fully submerged.

To aid swapping nose cones on the vessel when the vessel is in the water then nose cone must be easy to manipulate such that it does not want to sink or float back to the surface. Thus allowing a nose cone to be manipulated by one or more divers rather than requiring the vessel to be removed from the water or manipulated by complex mechanical means. Location of G and B cause the nose cone to orientate its self correctly without further assistance when in the water easing the task of the operator installing the nose cone.

Optionally, the reversible attachment means may comprise a quick release fixing such as a quarter turn or latch fixing. Thereby allowing the nose cone to be fitted or removed rapidly. Preferably when closed or secured the reversable attachment means is flush with the hydrodynamic wall for reducing drag.

Optionally, the reversible attachment means includes the power connection and/or the data connection and they are integrated therewith. Further optionally, the reversible attachment means includes a first mounting face having a first plurality of connection points, located thereon and configured to engage a plurality of second connection points on a second mounting face of a vessel. Advantageously, removing the step of connecting the connections when installing the nose cone on a vessel and cancelling the danger of that connecting being forgotten which could later prove expensive to rectify.

Optionally, the data connection may be wireless, and/or the power connection may be a contactless and/or water proof connection. Thereby, facilitating connection on installation of the nose cone on the vessel.

Optionally, the power connection and/or the data connection comprises a conduit having a first end connected to the sensor chamber at a watertight connection point and a second end that terminates in use above the waterline. The conduit removes the requirement for a reversible connection that is placed under the waterline reducing the likelihood of failure which is particularly important if the vessel is an autonomous vessel. The conduit also allows a simpler power connection and/or data connection to be used that is not waterproof or provides a secondary barrier which is an additional level of reliability should said connections be sensitive to water ingress.

Optionally, the first end of the conduit is watertight. Advantageously providing a further barrier to water ingress to the conduit and/or to the sensor chamber.

Optionally, the sensor face plate includes sensor interface ports for receiving specific types of sensor. Sensor specific ports in the sensor face plate provide best function for each type of sensor whilst allowing exposure to the water with minimum drag for that type of sensors interaction with the water. Sensor ports may include a drag reduction means for mitigating the drag effects of the sensors interaction with the water.

Optionally, the sensor chamber and/or sensor face plate are interchangeable within the nose cone. Thereby, allowing swift repurposing of a nose cone in advance of fitting to a vessel or whilst fitted to the vessel.

Optionally, the sensor chamber and or sensor face plate include a buoyancy compensator for maintaining the desired buoyancy of the nose cone. Neutral buoyancy allows easy manipulation of the nose cone in the water when fitting to and removing from the vessel. Different sensor pay loads have differing mass which affects the neutral buoyancy. The buoyancy compensation device adjusts the buoyancy of the nose cone to maintain neutral buoyancy or close to neutral buoyancy for different sensor pay loads.

Optionally, the nose cone includes a shallow wet chamber between the sensor chamber and the external wall. Thereby allowing the nose cone to be fitted underwater without the need for pumping or draining of a compartment.

Optionally, the wet chamber has an inlet and an outlet for exchanging water when the vessel is in motion. Optionally, the inlet is located at a point of higher hydrodynamic pressure than the outlet for passive exchange of fluid in the wet chamber during motion of the vessel.

Thereby, providing marine bio-isolation without requiring power. Bio-isolation is important to prevent transfer of marine organisms between different marine habitats as the vessel moves around the oceans to prevent introduction of invasive non-native species. Optionally, the sensor chamber includes one or more sensor ports facing the shallow wet chamber for exposing one or more sensors to the water therein.

Optionally, the face plate or sensor chamber includes a wet port that is an internal wet port and includes a fluid intake aperture in the face plate or sensor chamber fluidly connected to a fluid outlet aperture in the face plate or to the wet chamber. Thereby, providing a low drag solution for a wet sensor. If the intake is in the wall of the sensor chamber it connected by a duct to a fluid intake aperture in the hydrodynamic wall.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a vessel having a hull including a reversible attachment means for receiving the reversible attachment means of a modular nose cone as described above and including a modular nose cone as described above.

Optionally, the reversible attachment means may be located at least partially, and preferably entirely, below the waterline of the vessel in its operating condition.

Optionally, the vessel may include a plurality of hulls, each including a reversible attachment means, and optionally the vessel may be a SWATH vessel and/or an autonomous vessel.

Optionally, the vessel may have a first nose cone and a second nose cone, wherein the first nose cone contains different sensors to the second nose cone.

Optionally, the reversible attachment means may include a second mounting face for receiving the first mounting face of the nose cone, the second mounting face having a second plurality of connection points located thereon and configured to engage the plurality of first connection points of the first mounting face of the nose cone. Thereby increasing the number of sensors that can be fitted to the vessel allowing a dual role or more specialist activity.

Optionally, the vessel may include a nose cone or sensor chamber storage facility therein for transporting alternative nosecone or sensor chambers, and a means for transferring a nose cone to and from the water in which the vessel is floating, allowing sensors to be changed away from port.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows a nose cone according to the current invention fitted to a vessel;

Figure 2 shows a cross section view of the nose cone of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a sensor chamber with an internal wet sensor; and

Figure 4 shows a vessel having two nose cones according to the current invention.

Referring to Figure 1 , a preferred embodiment will now be described.

Figure 1 shows a nose cone 10 according to the current invention fitted to the hull 2 of a vessel 1 which may also be referred to as a waterborne vessel 1 . The vessel 1 , is preferably a surface vessel 1 as shown in figures 4. When the nose cone 10 of the current invention is for fitting to a surface vessel he nose cone 10 can also be referred to a as a surface vessel nose cone 10. In figure 1 the hull 2 shown is the hull 2 of a SWATH vessel 1. The nose cone 10 includes a hydrodynamic external wall 20 having a tapered section 24 and a straight section 26. Preferably the tapered section 24 has an elliptical profile. The hydrodynamic external wall 20 ensures smooth flow of water over the surface of the hull 2 to the rear of the nose cone 10 and in doing so does not create additional drag or creates little extra drag relative to a traditional hull 2 without a modular integrated nose cone 10 and certainly lower drag than legacy sensor solutions such as the gondola discussed above by minimizing energy losses and optimizing fluid flow dynamics across the hull water boundary. The nose cone 10 shown in figure 1 is integrated with the upright 3 mounting the hull 2 to the vessel 1. It will be understood that the nose cone 10 may be connected to the upright 3 and the hull 2 or only the hull 2. The nose cone 10 is a modular nose cone 10, meaning herein that a nose cone 10 is readily interchangeable for another nose cone 10 according to the current invention and may itself include modular interchangeable components.

The vessel 1 may be an off shore, ocean going vessel 1 , preferably for collecting information from the open ocean. A surface vessel, is defined herein as a vessel which travels at the surface of the water, with at least a portion of the vessel above the waterline during normal use and is not designed for underwater operation, in particular prolonged underwater operation. A SWATH vessel a catamaran or a single hulled boat or ship are an examples of a surface vessel. A submarine vessel, defined herein as a vessel which may travel wholly beneath the surface of the water by design. The nose cone 10 includes a reversible attachment means 30 for fitting the nose cone 10 to a reversable attachment means 7 of a vessel 1 for allowing the nose cone 10 to be reversibly fixed to the vessel 1 in order to allow rapid changes of nose cone 10 without changing or modifying the remainder of the vessel 1. The reversable attachment means 30 may include reversible fixings 32 such as quick release fasteners or fixings 32 in order to allow the nose cone 10 to be reversibly secured to the vessel 1 in a swift fashion. In particular this is important if the nose cone 10 is being changed without removal of the vessel 1 from the water. A quick release fastener 32 may include a latch, a quarter turn fastener or other suitable quick release fastener 32. Preferably the quick release fastener should be flush with the hydrodynamic external wall 20 when fastened and the nose cone is installed such that they have little or no impact on drag.

The nose cone 10 includes a means 50 for exposing a sensor 14 or electrical systems payload 16. The means for exposing the sensor 50 forms part of the hydrodynamic external wall 20. Preferably, the means for exposing the sensor 50 is flush with the rest of the hydrodynamic external wall 20. In particular the means for exposing the sensor 50 includes an interchangeable face plate 52 for allowing the sensors 14 to be rapidly exchanged in the nose cone 10. The face plate 52 is flush with the hydrodynamic external wall 20 at least at its edges 53. The means for exposing a sensor 50 includes one or more sensor ports 54. These ports 54 can include an optical port 54o, a wet port 54 w, a thermal port 54t, a sonar port 54s or port adapted for any other underwater sampling or sensing equipment. The sensor ports 54 are hydrodynamic sensor ports 54 in that they are hydrodynamically efficient to minimize energy losses for a particular sensor type and optimize fluid flow dynamics about the sensor.

Figure 2 shows a cross section view of the nose cone 10 and a part of the hull 2 of the vessel 1 to which the nose cone 10 is fitted. The hydrodynamic external wall 20 defines an internal volume within the nose cone 10. The internal volume may be closed by the mating face of the vessel 1 when in use or by a closing panel (not shown).

A water tight sensor chamber 40 is shown located within the internal volume and including the means for exposing a sensor 50, in this case the interchangeable face plate 52. The sensor chamber 40 is preferably interchangeable with the face plate 52 to allow the nose cone to be rapidly repurposed. The face plate 52 or the face plate together with the sensor chamber 40 may be secured by quick release fasteners for rapid exchange. Four sensors are 14 are shown fitted to the face plate 52 at a plurality of sensor ports 54. It will be noted that whilst four sensors 14 are shown, one or more sensors 14 may be fitted. The nose cone 10 may include a shallow wet chamber 90 between the sensor chamber 40 and the external wall 20, in which water may remain when the nose cone 10 is fitted. Preferably, the wet chamber 90 includes an inlet 92 and an outlet 94 each connecting the wet chamber 90 with the external aquatic environment for passive exchange of water with the external environment when the vessel 1 is in motion. For example the inlet 92 may be at the tip 12 of the nose cone 10 or on the tapered section 24 and the outlet on the straight section 26 of the nose cone 10. Thus, passing water through the wet chamber 90. In order for passive exchange of water, when the vessel is in motion the inlet 92 is located at a point of higher hydrodynamic pressure than the outlet 94.

If the nose cone 10 includes a wet chamber 90 in contact with the sensor chamber 40 the sensor chamber 40 may include one or more sensor ports 44 for exposing one or more sensors 14 to the fluid in the wet chamber 90.

The nose cone 10 includes a power connection 60 for transferring power to the nose cone 10 from the vessel 1 and a data connection 70 for transferring data and commands between the vessel 1 and the nose cone 10. The data connection 70 and the power connection 60 are each a reversable connection for connecting to any modular nose cone 10 of the current invention. The connections 60, 70 may be wired connections comprising water tight connectors, the leads may include excess length in order to allow a connection to be made before the nose cone 10 is finally fixed to the vessel 1.

In a preferred embodiment the data connection 70 and/or the power connection 60 are part of, and integrated with the reversible attachment means 30. The reversible attachment means 30 may include a first mounting face 34 for meeting a second mounting face 5 of the vessel 1 . The first mounting face 34 including a plurality of first power connection points 61 and/or a plurality of first data connection points 71 positioned to engage a plurality of second power connection points 62 and/or a plurality of second data connection points 72 of the second mounting face 5. The connection points 61 , 62, 71 , 72 might include a plurality of pin or blade and socket or a number of mating pads and may each include a seal for preventing water egress and ingress.

In an alternative embodiment, the power connection 60 and/or data connection 70 may include an upwardly extending conduit 80 having a first end 82 connected to the sensor chamber 40 at a water tight connection point 42 and a second end 84. Wherein the second end 84 is located above the waterline of the vessel 1 when in use and preferably a substantial distance above the waterline. Waterline is defined herein as the point at which the surface of the water meets the vessel (1). Preferably the first end 82 and or second end 84 of the conduit 80 are water tight in their own right. Further preferably the second end 84 is water tight and includes first connection point or points 61 ,71 , for example the second end 84 includes a waterproof connection gland for allowing underwater change of sensor chamber and faceplate.

The data connection 70 and or the power connection 60 can be wireless. The data connection 60 if wireless may comprise Bluetooth, wi-fi, or other electromagnetic wave communication method. The power connection 60 may comprise a wireless power transmission system such as electromagnetic induction.

The nose cone 10 is designed to be fitted and removed with the vessel 1 in the water, in port or even at sea. The nose cone 10 therefore has neutral or close to neutral buoyancy in order to enable a diver or team of divers to manipulate the nose cone 10 in water without additional mechanical assistance. Preferably, the nose cone 10 includes a centre of gravity G and a centre of buoyancy B. The centre of gravity G is located below the centre of buoyancy B in order that the nose cone 10 has, finds and maintains a natural orientation which is the correct orientation for interfacing with and fitting to the vessel 1 when being manipulated underwater. Preferably the sensor chamber 40 and/or the face plate 52 include a buoyancy compensator 56 for maintaining neutral buoyancy and natural orientation of the nose cone 10 for differing sensor pay loads. The buoyancy compensator 56 may be positively or negatively buoyant as required to fulfil the purpose.

Figure 3 shows the face plate 52 and sensor chamber 40 including an internal wet port 54w. The wet port 54w includes an inlet 56 fluidly connected to an outlet 58 by duct 57 wherein the sensor 14 is exposed to the water in the duct 57. The inlet 56 is located at a point of higher hydrostatic pressure than the outlet 58. The inlet 56 is shown located on the face plate 52 and the outlet 58 is shown located in the face plate 52, but may be located on the sensor chamber 40 in the shallow wet chamber 90. The face plate 52, outlet 58 or inlet 56 may include a flow modification device 53 for increasing or reducing dynamic pressure at the inlet 56, outlet 58 and/or drag reduction features 53 such as an intake scoop, a NACA intake, a gurney flap or other suitable pressure generating and or drag reducing features to promote passive fluid flow through the wet chamber when the vessel 1 moves through the water. It will be understood that whilst the inlet 56 and outlet 58 are shown on the face plate 52 one or both may be located on the sensor chamber 40 or the hydrodynamic wall and connected to the sensor chamber 40 by a longer duct 57. Passive flow refers to flow generated by movement of the vessel without any further active feature. Figure 4 shows a vessel 1 with a modular nose cone 10 fitted. The vessel 1 has a reversible attachment means 30 where a first mounting face 34 of the nose cone 10 meets a second mounting face 5 of the vessel 1 . The vessel 1 shown in figure 4 is a swath vessel 1 with a plurality of hulls 2 each having a reversible attachment means 7 for receiving a nose cone 10 as described herein. The vessel 1 can be a monohull, catamaran, tri hull boat or other type of vessel 1 but is particularly suited to a SWATH vessel 1 as the hulls are permanently submerged. The second mounting face 5 is at least partially and preferably fully submerged when the vessel 1 is afloat. The modular nose cone 10 allows each nose cone 10 fitted to include different sensors 14 as shown in figure 4.

The vessel 1 also preferably includes a nose cone storage facility 4 for transporting nose cones 10 of alternative configurations and a means for nose cone transfer 6 such as a crane or lifting platform for transferring nose cones 10 to and from the water from the vessel 1 . The means for transfer 6 is for transferring the nose cone 10 from the storage facility to the water in which the vessel 1 is floating. The storage facility 4 provides accommodation for one or more nose cones 10. Thus allowing the vessel 1 to be re-tasked or repurposed without being removed from the water or even returning to port.

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

CLAIMS:

1 . A modular integrated nose cone (10) for a waterborne vessel (1) comprising: a hydrodynamic external wall (20) defining an internal volume (22); a reversible attachment means (30) for reversibly attaching the nose cone (10) to a vessel (1); a watertight sensor chamber (40) for containing sensor (2) and or electronic (3) payloads located within the internal volume (22); a means (50) for exposing the sensor (2) and/or electronic (3) payload to the environment outside of the sensor chamber (40); a power connection (60) for transferring power to the nose cone (10); a data connection for transferring data (70) to and from the nose cone (10).

2. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 1 wherein the means (50) for exposing the sensor and or electronic payload to the environment outside of the sealed chamber (40) comprises an interchangeable sensor face plate (52), wherein the external wall (20) includes said sensor face plate (52), and preferably said sensor face plate (52) is flush with the external wall (20).

3. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the external wall (20) includes a tapered section (24) and preferably a straight section (26) and the sensor face plate (52) is located on the tapered section (24) for reducing hydrodynamic drag.

4. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the face plate (52) features sensor ports (54) adapted for receiving specific sensors (14), the sensor ports (54) including one or more optical ports (54o), thermal ports (54t), sonar ports (54s) and/or wet ports (54w).

5. The modular nose cone (10) according to any preceding claim having neutral buoyancy for ease of manipulation under the water.

6. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 5 having a centre of buoyancy (B) and a centre of gravity (G) and wherein B is located vertically above G when in the fitted orientation.

7. The modular nose cone (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the reversible attachment means (30) comprises a quick release fixing (32) such as a quarter turn or latch fixing.

8. The modular nose cone (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the reversible attachment means (30) includes the power connection (60) and/or the data connection (70) and they are integrated there with.

9. The modular nose cone (10) of claim 8 wherein the reversible attachment means (30) includes a first mounting face (34) having a first plurality of connection points (61 , 71) located there on configured to engage a plurality of second connection points (62, 72) on a second mounting face (5) of a vessel (1).

10. The modular nose cone (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the data connection (70) is wireless.

11. The modular nose cone (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the power connection (60) is a contactless and/or water proof connection.

12. The modular nose cone (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the power connection (60) and/or the data connection (70) comprises a conduit (80) having a first end (82) connected to the sensor chamber (40) at a watertight connection point (42) and a second end (84) that terminates in use above the waterline.

13. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 12 wherein the first end (82) and/or second end (84) of the conduit (80) is water tight.

14. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 2 or claims 3 to 13 when dependant on claim 2 wherein the sensor face plate (52) includes sensor interface ports (54) for receiving specific types of sensor (14).

15. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 2 or 3 to 14 when dependant on claim 2 wherein the sensor chamber (40) and/or sensor face plate (52) are interchangeable within the nose cone (10).

16. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 2 or claims 3 to 15 when dependant on claim 2 wherein the sensor chamber (40) and/or sensor face plate (52) include a buoyancy compensator (42) for maintaining the desired buoyancy of the nose cone (10).

17. The modular nose cone (10) according to any preceding claim wherein the nose cone (10) includes a shallow wet chamber (90) between the sensor chamber (40) and the external wall (20).

18. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 17 wherein the wet chamber (90) has an inlet (92) and an outlet (94) for exchanging water when the vessel (1) is in motion.

19. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 18 wherein the inlet (92) is located at a point of higher hydrodynamic pressure than the outlet (94) for passive exchange of fluid in the wet chamber (90) during motion of the vessel (1).

20. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 18 or 19 wherein the sensor chamber (40) includes one or more sensor ports (44) facing the shallow wet chamber (90) for exposing one or more sensors (14) to the water therein.

21. The modular nose cone (10) according to claim 4 or claims 5 to 20 when dependant on claim 4 wherein the face plate (52) includes the wet port (54w), that is an internal wet port (54w) and includes a fluid intake aperture (56) in the face plate (52) fluidly connected to a fluid outlet aperture (58) in the face plate (52) or to the wet chamber (90).

22. A vessel (1) having a hull (2) including a reversible attachment means (7) for receiving the reversible attachment means (30) of a modular nose cone (10) according to claims 1 to 21 and including a modular nose cone according to claims 1 to 21.

23. A vessel (1) according to claim 22 wherein the vessel (1) is a surface vessel.

24. A vessel (1) according to claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the reversible attachment means (7) is located at least partially, and preferably entirely, below the waterline of the vessel (1) in its operating condition.

25. A vessel (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 24 including a plurality of hulls (2) each including a reversible attachment means (7); optionally wherein the vessel is a SWATH vessel (1) and/or an autonomous vessel (1).

26. A vessel (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 25 having a first nose cone (10a) according to any one of claims 1 to 21 and a second nose cone (10b) according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the first nose cone (10a) contains different sensors (14) to the second nose cone (10b).

27. A vessel (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein the reversible attachment means (4) includes a second mounting face (5) for receiving the first mounting face (34) of the nose cone (10); the second mounting face (5) having a second plurality of connection points (62, 72) located there on configured to engage the plurality of first connection points (61 , 71) of the first mounting face (34) of the nose cone (10).

28. A vessel (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 27 including a nose cone (10) or sensor chamber (30) storage facility (4) therein for transporting alternative nosecone (10) or sensor chamber (30) and a means (6) for transferring a nose cone (10) to and from the water in which the vessel (1) is floating, allowing vessel role to be changed away from port.