Abstract: A marine connector that facilitates docking of large floating objects during a sea state that produces significant relative motion between the two objects. A toggle nose is mounted on one floating object and a mating device, a toggle nose receiver, is mounted on the second floating object. The toggle nose contains a toggle mechanism that extends and retracts two opposed transverse pins having conical ends. The toggle nose receiver is provided with corresponding conical sockets to receive the ends of the pins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting and installing a deck of an offshore platform onto a substructure without requiring heavy lift cranes. The towing vessel or semisubmersible vessel is configured with a cutout or opening therein that surrounds the substructure onto which the platform is to be placed. The platform is transported in an elevated position upon the semisubmersible vessel and it spans across this opening such that once the semisubmersible vessel is properly positioned (i.e. the elevated platform being positioned over and in alignment with the substructure), the semisubmersible vessel is rapidly ballasted thereby transferring the platform onto the substructure.