Abstract: A mooring line length adjusting device and methods is disclosed. The connecting device is arranged for connecting a lower section and an upper section of a mooring line to respective ends of the device and for adjusting a total length of said mooring line from a previous mooring line length to a new mooring line length. The upper end of the mooring line is connected to a floating unit. At least said lower section comprises a chain segment at its top end connected to the device. The device comprises a locking arrangement to lock said chain segment to the connecting device.

Abstract: A mooring tensioning arrangement for a floating structure or vessel (11), comprising an anchor (2), a mooring line (3), a mooring tensioner (4) and a working line (5), said mooring tensioner (4) having a tensioning pulley (20). A tensioning force is imposed on said mooring line (3), which is directed towards said floating structure or vessel (11).

Abstract: A floating dock mover that utilizes electrically powered devices to aid in relocating a floating dock whenever water levels change in a lake or reservoir. Electrical powered winching mechanisms are used to adjust cables lengths to maintain a position, or aid to obtain a new position of the dock in relation to the shoreline. Additionally, a motorized speed reducer is used to turn the wheels on the dock walkway, which moves the walkway and dock away from, or toward the shore. By electrically powering winch cable lengths, plus electrically powering the walkway wheels, the dock can be relocated horizontally and vertically and maintain a relative desired position in relation to a moving shoreline. An additional electrically motorized unit is used to operate an anchor which aids in maintaining a dock in a desired position.

Abstract: A mooring limb for damping the oscillations of a moored object comprising an axially extensible outer sheath, and an inner radially compressible core, the core being compressible radially by the sheath as the axial length of the limb increases, the limb being axially contractible as a result of a force provided by the core acting radially outward onto the sheath.

Abstract: A device for tensioning anchor chains, in particular mooring legs of off-shore vessels and installations, comprises a frame carrying connectors for holding together lower and upper portions of the chain to be tensioned. The frame further carries a tensioning mechanism for pulling at least one portion of the chain towards the other portion of the chain while the device is submerged.

Abstract: A traction method for an operating line, in particular a mooring line, of a floating production unit includes the steps of: attaching an end chain portion of the operating line to a socket of a main cable running through a sheave at a work station; reeling in the main cable, using a winch, to bring the socket of the main cable up to the sheave; locking the operating line with a chain stopper; slackening the main cable and moving the sheave closer to the chain stopper to reduce pull on the main cable; reeling in the main cable to run the socket of the main cable through the sheave; once the socket of the main cable has run through the sheave, releasing the operating line from the chain stopper, and reeling in, by means of the winch, the main cable and the operating line connected to it, to set the operating line to a given tension.

Abstract: A mooring system (10) for use in mooring a marine device (24) within a fluid (12) subject to flow comprises a mooring line (16) to be secured to an anchor (18) and defining a tether point for a marine device (24), and a loading assembly (20) secured to the mooring line (16) and configured to generate hydrodynamic lift when exposed to flow to apply tension to the mooring line (16). In embodiments of the invention the loading assembly (20) is configured to also generate a buoyancy force, such that tension is applied to the mooring line (16) by a combination of the hydrodynamic lift force and the buoyancy force.

Abstract: Docking system for securing a craft to a dock or slip using a single line secured to the middle cleat of the boat. The system includes a mounting system, a docking car assembly slideably mounted on the mounting system; at least one bumper mounted on the docking car assembly; a biasing system which urges the docking car assembly is a first direction on the mounting system; and a docking line connected to the docking car assembly, a docking line connected to said docking car assembly, wherein when a force is placed on the docking line, the docking car is urged in a direction opposite to the first direction. Adjustable bumpers are provided which prevent the craft from rotating about the point of attachment.

Abstract: Mooring system for a tanker, i.e. a mooring of a conventional tanker to an installation with fixed orientation, wherein a conventional tanker (3) which is to be moored to the installation is arriving in a direction favorable to wind, current and waves. By mooring a conventional tanker (3) in four points (A, B, C, D) on a tanker (3), wherein the hawsers to the points (C, D) are connected on board a platform (1) and hawsers to the points (A, B) are connected to two separate buoys (4, 5) and then tightening/slackening the hawsers until the tanker (3) has arrived in the desired/correct position.

Abstract: A traction method for an operating line, in particular a mooring line, of a floating production unit includes the steps of: attaching an end chain portion of the operating line to a socket of a main cable running through a sheave at a work station; reeling in the main cable, using a winch, to bring the socket of the main cable up to the sheave; locking the operating line with a chain stopper; slackening the main cable and moving the sheave closer to the chain stopper to reduce pull on the main cable; reeling in the main cable to run the socket of the main cable through the sheave; once the socket of the main cable has run through the sheave, releasing the operating line from the chain stopper, and reeling in, by means of the winch, the main cable and the operating line connected to it, to set the operating line to a given tension.

Abstract: A mooring buoy includes a buoyant shell that defines a chamber and has a channel extending from the chamber through the outer surface of the shell. The channel accommodates a pendant line therethrough. Within the chamber is a rotating takeup/payout that rotates about a drive axle and a drive mechanism coupled to the takeup/payout device that can drive the rotating takeup/payout device to rotate in a first direction to take up pendant line slack. The drive mechanism permits the takeup/payout device to rotate opposite the first direction in order to pay out pendant line under tension. Suitable takeup/payout devices include pulleys and spools. Suitable drive mechanisms include gravity-driven mechanisms, spring-driven mechanisms, and pendulum-driven mechanisms.

Abstract: Docking system for securing a craft to a dock or slip using a single line secured to the middle cleat of the boat. The system includes a mounting system, a docking car assembly slideably mounted on the mounting system; at least one bumper mounted on the docking car assembly; a biasing system which urges the docking car assembly is a first direction on the mounting system; and a docking line connected to the docking car assembly, a docking line connected to said docking car assembly, wherein when a force is placed on the docking line, the docking car is urged in a direction opposite to the first direction. Adjustable bumpers are provided which prevent the craft from rotating about the point of attachment.

Abstract: The variable-rate spring marine docking cable is a device for allaying the shock forces on moored floating structures due to wind, wakes, tides and storms. The device includes a variable-rate spring member similar to an automobile strut. Respective cables are attached at first ends to each respective end of the spring member. One of the cables is attached at its second end to a floating structure such as a dock or boat. The other cable is attached at its second end to a mooring pile, pier, or other fixed object.

Abstract: A buoy recovery system for a disconnectable mooring arrangement that permits turret-buoy connection at any compass heading while preventing damage to the pull-in line and the turret assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the mooring tensioning assembly is positioned on the vessel at a location other than on the rotatable turret assembly. This permits the size of the turret assembly to be significantly reduced and the fluid swivel stack to be positioned within the vessel between its deck and keel. The improved buoy recovery system employs a hollow bore hydraulic cylinder assembly that is attached to the turret assembly and configured as a chain tensioning system. The hollow bore hydraulic cylinder assembly is arranged and designed to support the weight of the buoy and permit the turret assembly to be rotated relative to both the vessel and the buoy during mooring operations.

Abstract: An adjustable pulley device which resides on a boat's anchor rope, which, when the anchor has been set offshore, allows an operator to pull the boat from shore to a pre-determined point on the anchor rope, and retrieve it. It comprises a housing with an integral pulley sheave and rope arresting mechanism in conjunction with a snap shackle which is tethered to the boat. To use the device, the snap shackle is snapped around the anchor rope between the sheave and the arresting mechanism on the device. As the boat approaches the shore, the anchor is put over side, and with the anchor set, the anchor rope slides through the device and shackle until the arresting mechanism is actuated. The device, now attached to the anchor rope, becomes the turning block which in conjunction with the shackle make up a pulley system to move the boat to and from shore.

Abstract: A portable marine outhaul has a closed loop of line strung between pulleys attached to a pair of anchors, e.g. sea and land anchors, and used to keep a boat moored off a temporary shore. The outhaul uses a reel rotatably mounted inside a housing. One half or run of the line, preferably fed through one hole in the housing, is wrapped on one half of a spool of the reel. The other half or run is fed through a second hole in the housing, spaced from said first hole a sufficient distance to control tangling. This other run is wound in the same direction onto the other half spool of the reel. In a manually-operated form, a crank turns an axle attached to the center of the spool. Initially attached to either anchor, the outhaul unwinds until reaching the other anchor where it is attached. The two lines of the outhaul are then cleated or otherwise secured, preferably to the side of the container. This completes the outhaul loop. The boat is then attached to the loop and can be pulled off shore and on shore at will.

Abstract: A boat lift construction is disclosed for retrieving watercraft from one location and moving them to another location by use of a fixed longitudinal member operatively connected to a winch which moves a carrier frame mounted on wheels back and forth between a first position on land and a second position normally in a lake or river or ocean immediately thereadjacent. This boat lift includes an articulated mounting system for the wheels to facilitate continual contact thereof with respect to the ground during overland movement. The wheels are at least partially hydraulic in order to keep the wheels in contact with the ground surface even when moving in an area below the water line which allows the carrier to move along the overland bottom surface underneath the water line as well as along the ground line immediately thereadjacent.