Methods and apparatus for softstarting a voltage regulation circuit. A controller selects one of the first protection device and the second protection device as the protection device to be used when the fuel cell has stopped, and the fuel cell is protected from freezing of water by operating the selected protection device. A pair of rescue wells or recesses in the hull below the deck and inside of the hull port and starboard sides, each rescue well having a length. The growing of the SiC single crystal is then carried out immediately after the synthesis step. The at least one structure comprises a first layer being a barrier layer and including an odor-masking andor neutralizing agent. When used as a finish on flat materials, the composition can endow the treated flat materials with durable hydrophobic properties.