Watercraft propulsion system

摘要

A watercraft propulsion system is provided for maneuvering and positioning a dredge or weed harvesting craft in shallow waterways and includes a pair of booms positioned adjacent the port and starboard sides of the craft. Submersible and reversible motors are provided at the remote end of each pivotally mounted boom for independently driving wheels provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades. The wheels include an enclosed buoyancy chamber to offset the weight of the wheels and the booms, and the blades are removable and may be provided in different configurations to accommodate different operating conditions. A pumping unit including a cutterhead is provided whereby the watercraft can perform dredging or aquatic weed harvesting operations.