Abstract: Methods and systems for handling a tail chain of a mooring line are provided. A fairlead stopper having a tail chain support is provided for removing and reconnecting tail chain to the mooring line. The tail chain support is positioned to receive the tail chain of the mooring line, and includes a first chain coupler to secure a first portion of the mooring line, a second chain coupler to secure a second portion of the mooring line, and a working zone between the chain couplers for removing and reconnecting the tail chain.

Abstract: Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.

Abstract: A shipyard including a shiplift platform that is capable of being raised above yard level for maintenance is provided. Hoists are coupled with the shiplift platform, and jacks are coupled with the hoists. The jacks are capable of lifting the hoists relative to the yard, and are capable of lifting the shiplift platform above the yard level.

Abstract: A rotary chain jack may include a frame, a dual chain wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, and a stopper assembly mechanically coupled to the frame. The stopper assembly may include latches. The stopper assembly may be positioned to selectively engage a chain passing over the dual chain wheel. The rotary chain jack may be used to moor offshore structures.

Abstract: A rotatable chain stopper includes a base, an actuator operatively coupled to the base, and a pair of latches pivotably coupled to the base. The orientation of the base and position of the latches are responsive to extension of the actuator. The rotatable chain stopper may be used as a portion of chain jack assembly, such as on an offshore vessel. The rotatable chain stopper may used in a method of pulling-in, paying-out, and positioning of an anchor chain, such as for mooring an offshore vessel.

Abstract: A link coupler for coupling two lengths of different sized chain together and facilitating movement of the two lengths of different sized chain is provided. Also provided is an assembly of the link coupler with a dual chainwheel, a small chain, and a large chain. The link coupler includes a body, a small-chain link coupler coupled with the body at a first end of the body, and a large-chain link coupler coupled with the body at a second end of the body. The dual chainwheel includes a small wildcat profile and a large wildcat profile. The small chain is coupled with the small-chain link coupler, and the large chain is coupled with the large-chain link coupler.

Abstract: A method of mooring a floating vessel having a fairlead stopper coupled thereto is provided. The method includes retrieving a line pre-reeved on the fairlead stopper, connecting the line to an upper end of a mooring line, retrieving a second end of the line, connecting the second end to a winch of the AHV, and hauling in the mooring line to apply tension thereto. Also disclosed are mooring lines and systems, including lines having tensioning connectors thereon, such as tri-plate connectors, for stretching lines.

Abstract: A wave energy converter is provided. The wave energy converter includes a paravane rotationally and pivotably coupled to a support structure, and operatively coupled to an energy collection device. A method of harvesting water wave energy is provided. The method includes positioning the paravane within water to be impacted by water waves, and transferring water wave energy from the paravane to the energy collection device.

Abstract: A shiplift includes a pier defining a space. The pier includes lifting apparatus. The shiplift includes a shiplift platform configured to fit within the space defined by the pier. One or more movable connectors are mechanically coupled to the shiplift platform. Each movable connector is configured to move into at least two positions, including a first position and a second position. In the first position, the movable connectors are mechanically coupled to the shiplift platform and positioned to allow the shiplift platform to enter the space defined by the pier. In the second position, the movable connectors are mechanically coupled to the shiplift platform and positioned to mechanically couple to the lifting apparatus of the pier.

Abstract: A fairlead includes a chain guide support structure and a clump weight engagement member. A clump weight assembly includes a clump weight body, a clump weight coupled to the clump weight body, and a spring housing. The spring housing includes an upper housing wall and at least one spring operatively coupled between the upper housing wall and the clump weight. The clump weight body may be selectively engageable and disengageable with the fairlead to form a fairlead and clump weight assembly. A method of installing and using the clump weight includes engaging the spring housing with the clump weight engagement member, and latching the clump weight body to the clump weight engagement member.

Abstract: A rotatable chain stopper includes a base, an actuator operatively coupled to the base, and a pair of latches pivotably coupled to the base. The orientation of the base and position of the latches are responsive to extension of the actuator. The rotatable chain stopper may be used as a portion of chain jack assembly, such as on an offshore vessel. The rotatable chain stopper may used in a method of pulling-in, paying-out, and positioning of an anchor chain, such as for mooring an offshore vessel.

Abstract: A chain mooring windlass may include a frame, a wheel, and an axel extending through the wheel and rotatably coupled to the frame. Drive assemblies may be coupled to the axel via a first stage gear reduction including reduction gears. The axel may be coupled to the wheel via a second stage gear reduction including reduction gears. A movable drive mechanism may include reduction gears, and drive assemblies coupled to the reduction gears. The drive assemblies may drive the reduction gears. A drive gear may be coupled to the reduction gears. The reduction gears may drive the drive gear. The drive gear may be configured to couple to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass to drive the chain wheel. A chain wheel coupler may be configured to selectively couple the movable drive mechanism to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass.

Abstract: A connecting link assembly for connecting two chain sizes together. The connecting link assembly includes a smaller connecting link assembly sized according to the smaller chain size, a larger connecting link assembly sized according to the larger chain size, and a connecting component. The connecting component is sized and shaped to be accepted by a dual chain wheel.

Abstract: A self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead latch device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead latch device further includes an upper retainer component that is coupled to an upper support structure and a lower support structure. The coupling of the upper retainer component to the support structures allow the fairlead latch device to be relocated by lifting of the device from the support structures.

Abstract: A self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead latch device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead latch device further includes an upper retainer component that is coupled to an upper support structure and a lower support structure. The coupling of the upper retainer component to the support structures allow the fairlead latch device to be relocated by lifting of the device from the support structures.

Abstract: A self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead latch device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead latch device further includes an upper retainer component that is coupled to an upper support structure and a lower support structure. The coupling of the upper retainer component to the support structures allow the fairlead latch device to be relocated by lifting of the device from the support structures.

Abstract: A turret moored vessel with an improved bearing, turning and locking system includes a floating hull, a turret supported by the hull and rotatable relative to the hull and bearing assemblies forming an interface between the hull and turret. The bearing assemblies each include multiple passive blocks, preferably in the form of members (e.g. passive, spring loaded cylinders), that are attached at their lower end to the hull and at their upper end to a frame that supports horizonal and vertical crane wheels. Each cylinder is inwardly inclined along a radial line to form a first angle. There can be first and second pairs of cylinders in each bearing assembly, all four cylinders forming a plane or an annular plane. The first and second pairs of cylinders can be inclined toward each other. The first inward tilt provides stability against horizontal forces. The opposing cylinder tilts provided stability against rotational forces.