Abstract: The anchoring device of the invention is one which buries itself vertically nto the water bed material. In its common form the anchoring device is of generally cylindrical form and includes a centrally located suction passageway and fluidizing water outlets located in the general region of the lower open end of the suction passageway whereby in use and with suction applied to the suction passageway and fluidizing water made available through the fluidizing water outlets the bed material from immediately beneath the anchoring device is pumped through the body of the anchoring device and discharged above it.

Abstract: A device for measuring externally applied loads on a structural member, such as a support leg of an off-shore installation, comprises one or more flexible fluid-filled cells constrained between the surface of the structural member and a casing capable of transmitting externally applied loads to the structural member through the fluid within the cell(s), the loads applied to the member being derived by monitoring the fluid pressure within the cell(s). Preferably the cell(s) and casing are comprised in a sleeve-like assembly removably mounted upon the structural member and retained in position by friction.