A system and apparatus are disclosed for improving safety and hydro-flow thrust from a hydro-drive device. The apparatus may include a shroud having a first opening for the ingress of water, and a second opening for the egress of water, and a vane extending inward from an interior surface of the shroud. The vane is configured to direct water to form a vortex that exits the shroud. The vane may include a fixed, planar region and a moveable, curved region attached to an interior surface of the shroud. Alternatively, the vane may be attached to a surface of a paddle configured to adjust the diameter of the second opening. The system may include a motor, a hydro-drive device coupled to the motor, the shroud, and the vane.