Abstract: A pier comprising a floating pierhead structure which has transverse thrurs to assist maneuvering operations and four pedestal cranes to move cargo from and to ocean going ships docked at the structure. At the stern of the structure is a stern ramp receiving platform which is used during cargo off loading operations to allow access to the structure from ships equipped with stern ramps. The mooring system for the floating pierhead structure consist of a single point mooring anchor system located at the bow of the structure and four anchor legs located at the stern of the structure. This mooring system ensures minimal movement of the floating pierhead structure at its bow where the floating pierhead structure interfaces with a fixed position approachway, but allows the structure to be rotated over an arc of ninety degrees. The approachway for the rapidly deployed pier is a fixed position roadway connecting the floating pierhead structure to the shore line.

Abstract: A barge linking system which includes a pair of flexible connector assembs stored on board a rear pontoon of a pair pontoons to be connected at sea. Each flexible connector assembly has a forward housing and a rear housing which are connected by a shear pin and rotate about the shear pin. Attached to the front end of the forward housing is flexible rubber sleeve which encases a substantial portion of a chain sling. The front end of the chain sling, which extends from the rubber sleeve, has a master link which allows the chain sling to be connected to a cable from a winch on board the forward pontoon. The rear housing of the flexible connector assembly has a chain shackle which allows the rear housing to be connected to a cable from a winch on board the rear pontoon. The forward housing has a pair of slots which align with a pair of slots in the forward pontoon, while the rear housing has a pair of slots which align with a pair of slots in the rear pontoon.

Abstract: Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes ft and second pontoons; a plurality of removable connector modules located in pockets on each end of the pontoons for absorbing impacts and for locking together joined pontoons; a plurality of retractable, resilient alignment pins located in the ends of the pontoons for initial alignment of the pontoons; and a winch operated bridal line attached to the alignment pins, via guide bores, for drawing together the pontoons in a joined fashion. Each connector module includes, on one end, a compressible locking pin that may be slidably located in the extended position (for joining and locking together with another pontoon) or in the retracted position (for storage). The other end of the connector module includes a receiver bore for receiving the locking pin of a mating pontoon.