Abstract: A vessel attachment device includes a body, first and second attachment arms, a biasing member, and at least one line connection interface. At least one of the first attachment arm and the second attachment arm is movable relative to the body. The biasing member is configured to apply a biasing force at the at least one movable first and second attachment arm to bias the at least one movable first and second attachment arm to an open position. And, the biasing member is configured to selectively release the biasing force and apply an actuation force at the at least one movable first and second attachment arm to move the at least one movable first and second attachment arm from the open position to the closed position to attach the vessel attachment device to a vessel attachment point.

Abstract: A release mechanism for separating sections of mooring lines has a main body with two separable first and second halves or sections. A hydraulic assembly within the main body is controlled by an acoustic system, and moves a rod and button so as to move locking shoes within the main body. The locking shoes hold the first and second sections locked together, or alternatively release them to disconnect the mooring line. In addition to the acoustically controlled hydraulic assembly, the release mechanism has a mechanical disconnect, which is operated by pulling the release mechanism into a chain fairlead or the like, or by pulling an encircling member such as a trigger sleeve into the release mechanism. The release mechanism may include instrumentation to transmit various operating conditions of the release mechanism when in use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capturing mechanism for the recovery of at least one vessel to at least one marine platform; said at least one vessel having at least one engagement device either permanently or at least partially reversibly connectable to the same; said capturing mechanism comprising: a. at least one tensioned capturing line connected to said at least one marine platform; and b, at least one line maneuvering mechanism configured to displace said at least one tensioned capturing line in at least one direction selected from a group consisting of up, down, left, right, forward, backward, playable into said at least one marine plat form, playable out of said at least one marine platform, playable into and out of the water and any combination thereof.

Abstract: An automatic mooring device for vessels includes a coupling element associable with a mooring point or with a vessel, and a capture element, associable with a vessel or with a mooring point and detachably engageable with the coupling element. The coupling element includes an autonomous floating body; a supporting element fixed to the floating body; a hook element associated with the supporting element and movable with respect to the supporting element from a coupling position to a release position; a safety lever, which can engage the hook element so as to close its bend for the retention of the capture element; and elements for retaining the hook element in the coupling position.

Abstract: Line capture devices for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a line capture device body having a line slot with an open end and a closed end. A retainer is positioned proximate to the line slot and has a rotor with a plurality of rotor arms positioned to extend at least partially across the line slot as the rotor rotates relative to the body. A joint rotatably couples the rotor to the body, and a ratchet device is operably coupled to the rotor to allow the rotor to rotate in a first direction and at least restrict the rotor arm from rotating in a second direction opposite the first. In other embodiments, the retainer can include other arrangements, for example, one or more wire-shaped elements.

Abstract: A vehicle recovery system is provided which includes a capture device having a body with two arms defining an open ended cavity with a shaft attached to and between each of the arms and extending through the cavity. A tow line is attached to the body opposite the cavity and a buoyant member disposed in the cavity and rotatable around the shaft. A plurality of capture loops disposed within the cavity are rotatable with the buoyant member and define closed loops with the buoyant member. A spring-loaded towing latch is attached to the vehicle to be recovered. The latch includes a hook having a first open position and a second closed position. The hook is moveable from the first position to the second position under action of a biasing spring upon engagement of one of the capture loops over the hook.

Abstract: A method and device to permit a water vessel to releasably capture a line in a towing station, remote from a parent ship. The towing station may be attached to the parent ship via a tow line. The line capturing device is an actuated catch that includes a hook assembly that is moveable between a release mode and a retrieval and holding mode. The actuated catch also includes a spring biased retaining catch that prevents a captured line from being inadvertently released.

Abstract: A top connector for a tether of a subsea buoy is disclosed. The connector has a support, a lever member movable about a pivot axis, and a chain stop mechanism mounted on the lever member to be situated below the pivot axis in use. The lever member is pivotably connected to the support via a flex joint arranged to bear a tensile load exerted by a top chain of the tether when engaged with the chain stop mechanism. The flex joint improves bending fatigue life of the top chain. A frame extends upwardly from the support to carry a sheave for the top chain. A pivotably connected lever member extends downwardly from the support. The lever member is pivotable relative to the support and the frame, allowing a compact arrangement that avoids the frame, the top chain or the sheave clashing with the shell of the buoy.

Abstract: A method and device to permit a water vessel to releasably capture a line. The water vessel may include a step cutout portion to receive a line capturing device. The line capturing device includes a device housing having a capturing notch and a pivotal guide arm. The guide arm may be pivoted to a deployed position. When presented with a line, a water vessel with the line-capturing device may capture the line by deploying the guide arm to guide the line into the notch, where the line is releasably latched. Also included is a system for towing a smaller water vessel to a parent vessel, the smaller water vessel including a device for capturing a line. The line may be attached at one end to the parent vessel.

Abstract: The marine dockline holder provides an easy place to leave the docklines in an elevated position when the boat leaves the dock, enabling the lines to be easily retrieved and attached to the boat upon its return to the dock. The marine dockline holder has a line hook attached to the top of a two-piece rod. The rod is inserted into a spring which is in turn inserted into a deck mounting plate. The deck mounting plate is mounted to a dock by two connecting bolts passing though the upper and lower mounting plates, and though gaps in the dock's surface.

Abstract: A method and device to permit a water vessel to releasably capture a line. The water vessel may include a step cutout portion to receive a line capturing device. The line capturing device includes a device housing having a capturing notch and a pivotal guide arm. The guide arm may be pivoted to a deployed position. When presented with a line, a water vessel with the line-capturing device may capture the line by deploying the guide arm to guide the line into the notch, where the line is releasably latched. Also included is a system for towing a smaller water vessel to a parent vessel, the smaller water vessel including a device for capturing a line. The line may be attached at one end to the parent vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hawser guidance system, adaptable to a quick release mooring hook assembly, which is provided with a hook and a vertical arm supporting a rope carrier that can orient itself aligned with the direction of an incoming hawser or mooring cable, and, optionally, with a righting bar located in front of the hook for righting the eye, in such a way as to guide the eye of the hawser or mooring cable to the hook and to engage the hook of a quick release mooring hook assembly.

Abstract: A connection device for connecting a submerged tubular structure to a floating support structure. The connection device includes first and second tubular connection elements that connect the submerged tubular structure to the floating support structure. The first tubular connection element cooperates with the second tubular connection element to form a first axial abutment in a pulling direction in which the submerged tubular structure is pulled, and a second axial abutment in a direction opposite from the pulling direction. The device further includes a locking and tensioning device that includes at least one actuator secured to the floating support structure and is mounted to pivot on the second tubular connection element about a hinge axis and against the effect of a return spring surrounding the pin so as to enable the first tubular connection element to snap-fasten onto the second tubular connection element.

Abstract: A device for coupling a boat to a boat mooring. The device comprises an elongate shaft having a hook member at one end thereof and an eyelet at the other end thereof. The hook has a pivotable latch for facilitating coupling and decoupling of the hook member to one of a boat eyelet and a mooring eyelet. The eyelet of the device is coupled to the eyelet of the mooring so that when the hook member of the device is coupled to the boat eyelet, the boat is coupled to the mooring and when use of the boat is desired, the hook member is released from the boat eyelet and coupled to the mooring eyelet to retain the device at the mooring and allow use of the boat and facilitate the attachment of the device to the boat eyelet when the boating activity ceases.