Abstract: A waterbody access barrier system has one or more floating barrier segments, and a first floating gate segment for blocking an opening in the barrier system. The first floating gate segment has a latching system to connect it to a capture gear, which is at a fixed barrier termination point or on a second floating gate segment. One or more thrusters are mounted on at least the first floating gate segment. The latching system, and the thrusters, are autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled by a control system, which receives positional signals, for example from a global positioning system (GPS) and/or a light detection and ranging system (LiDAR) operatively connected to the first floating gate segment, and moves the first floating gate segment accordingly.

Abstract: A tillable anchor has a number of planar sides, typically four, attached to a base and to one another, forming an enclosed structure with a cavity therein. Attachment points for a deployment line and for mooring lines are provided. After the empty anchor is deployed to the seafloor or other water bottom, an inlet and an outlet permit placement of a flowable weight material into the cavity. The anchor may have an extended skirt around the base to enhance holding capability.

Abstract: A negative pressure respiratory treatment hood for human medical patients. A rigid hood, preferably of unitary fabrication from a clear material, is positioned over the patient's head. The patient's body extends out of an opening in a front wall of the hood. A hinged door may be attached to the front wall of the hood, and is closed and partially closes the opening, and a shroud is sealing connected to the hood and is draped over the patient so as to form a pressure seal. A negative pressure source is connected to the hood and forms a negative pressure environment around the patient's head. Access openings have a resilient material across them, with small openings in the resilient material, to permit access to the patient by medical personnel and/or medical equipment.

Abstract: A system and method for offshore loading of large cargo vessels, or motherships. The system includes a plurality of mooring stations, which may be mooring buoys, positioned in an offshore mooring field proximal an onshore cargo loading facility. A mothership is positioned within the mooring field and moored via bow and stern lines to two or more different mooring stations. Environmental data, including wind, wave, and current data, as well data regarding the physical characteristics of the mothership and movement (roll/pitch/heave) of the mothership are collected by remote transmitting and sensing devices. This data is processed by numerical analysis in a digital processor, namely a computer, to determine optimum mooring line length and tension, and mooring station locations, in order to minimize mother ship movement and create an optimum “lee” loading area adjacent the mothership. Cargo is transferred to the mothership by a trans-shipper moored to the mothership.

Abstract: A security barrier system for controlling boat access to a protected area includes a barrier having an opening through it for boat passage. The barrier may be a fixed structure such as an earthen berm, or may be a floating barrier. A pair of spaced-apart support members, fixed in the waterbottom, are on either side of the opening. A gate is connected to one of the support members and spans the opening. A remotely operable latch means locks the gate closed, preventing passage. In one embodiment, a boat remotely unlocks the gate and pushes the gate open, then flex members return the gate to a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, particularly for locations with significant water level changes, the gate moves vertically on floats in response to water level, and a remotely operable system both unlocks/locks the gate and moves it between closed and open positions.

Abstract: A connector especially suited for connecting sections of floating port security barriers (PSBs) has a central portion joining two spaced apart, generally transverse end sections. The connector has a generally I-shaped cross section shape. Bolts or other fastening members are inserted through holes in the end sections to permit attachment to the PSB sections. The connector is preferably of a cast monolithic structure of a flexible, strong, non-corrosive material such as urethane. High-strength embedments may be formed into the end sections, to increase overall strength of the connector. Another embodiment has an internal tension member, which may be a loop of high-strength fiber, connecting the embedments.

Abstract: A system and method for offshore loading of large cargo vessels, or motherships. The system includes a plurality of mooring stations, which may be mooring buoys, positioned in an offshore mooring field proximal an onshore cargo loading facility. A mothership is positioned within the mooring field and moored via bow and stern lines to two or more different mooring stations. Environmental data, including wind, wave, and current data, as well data regarding the physical characteristics of the mothership and movement (roll/pitch/heave) of the mothership are collected by remote transmitting and sensing devices. This data is processed by numerical analysis in a digital processor, namely a computer, to determine optimum mooring line length and tension, and mooring station locations, in order to minimize mother ship movement and create an optimum “lee” loading area adjacent the mothership. Cargo is transferred to the mothership by a trans-shipper moored to the mothership.

Abstract: Self-tensioning load-equalizing mooring systems and methods (of mooring a ship) that employ at least one mooring line and at least one counter-weight.

Abstract: Self-tensioning load-equalizing mooring systems and methods (of mooring a ship) that employ at least one mooring line and at least one counter-weight.

Abstract: A pontoon provides buoyancy for a protection barrier to be provided in a body of water. The pontoon includes a metal structural member; a urethane inner shell that encases a portion of the metal structural member; a polyethylene region that encases the urethane inner shell; and a polyurethane elastomer or polyurea outer shell that encases the polyethylene region. A portion of the metal structural member extends out from the outer shell to thereby couple to a portion of the protection barrier.

Abstract: A pontoon provides buoyancy for a protection barrier to be provided in a body of water. The pontoon includes a metal structural member; a urethane inner shell that encases a portion of the metal structural member; a polyethylene region that encases the urethane inner shell; and a polyurethane elastomer or polyurea outer shell that encases the polyethylene region. A portion of the metal structural member extends out from the outer shell to thereby couple to a portion of the protection barrier.

Abstract: A winch gate for a waterborne protection barrier system includes a winch containing a length of wire wrapped around a spool. The winch gate also includes a metal fair lead that is disposed adjacent to the winch and that is positioned so as to accept the wire when the winch is controlled to unspool the wire from the spool. A hook is coupled to an end of the wire and configured to be coupled to a chain that is itself coupled to a protection barrier module of the protection barrier system. When the winch is controlled to spool the wire back onto the spool after the winch was controlled to unspool the wire from the spool and after the wire has been coupled to the chain, the chain is pulled through the metal fair lead and thereby onto the winch gate, to thereby allow the chain to be affixed to the winch gate.

Abstract: A protection apparatus protects a harbor or an area in a body of water or adjacent to a body of water. The protection apparatus floats on the body of water, and includes a plurality of barrier units positioned side-by-side, each of the barrier units includes a composite-based durable barrier structure. The barrier structure is configured to hold a net in place in order to protect an area in the body of water or abutting the body of water from waterborne craft. The protection apparatus also includes connectors respectively provided between adjacently-positioned ones of the barrier units. Each of the connectors includes a tensile member and a dampening member for handling forces applied to the protection barrier and for maintaining the integrity of the protection barrier.

Abstract: A protection apparatus protects a harbor or an area in a body of water or adjacent to a body of water. The protection apparatus floats on the body of water, and includes a plurality of barrier units positioned side-by-side, each of the barrier units includes a composite-based durable barrier structure. The barrier structure is configured to hold a net in place in order to protect an area in the body of water or abutting the body of water from waterborne craft. The protection apparatus also includes connectors respectively provided between adjacently-positioned ones of the barrier units. Each of the connectors includes a tensile member and a dampening member for handling forces applied to the protection barrier and for maintaining the integrity of the protection barrier.