Abstract: An elongated housing having opposite ends is embedded in the sea floor. One end extends downwardly a substantial distance into the sea floor and the other end terminates adjacent the surface of the sea floor. The housing has an axially, vertically extending passageway therethrough. A tension member is located in the passageway and has one end connected to a lower portion of the housing and an upper end for connection to a floating vessel. Advantageously, means are provided for ensuring that substantially any vertical load transmitted to the tension member is transmitted to a lower portion of the elongated housing. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, means are provided for ensuring that any horizontal force components are transmitted to an upper portion of the elongated housing.