Abstract: A system for tethering a subsea blowout preventer (BOP) or well head is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system comprises an interface associable with the BOP, and more than one anchors disposed about the BOP. Each anchor is configured to carry or support a tensioning system arranged in operable association with a respective tether. Each tether is arranged so as to link a respective anchor with a respective operable means associated with the BOP. Furthermore, each of the respective operable means are configured in operable association with the interface such that tension in the tethers can be adjustable either individually or together as a group of two or more tethers, by way of the interface.

Abstract: A jack-up platform is described having a horizontal working deck that may be jacked up out of the water by moving its legs to a position wherein they take support on an underwater bottom. The jack-up platform further comprises a mooring system for mooring a floating vessel at a mooring side of the jack-up platform. The mooring system comprises an elongated support means for supporting a hull part of the floating vessel, and guiding means connected to the hull of the jack-up platform at the mooring side. The guiding means are able to rigidly hold the elongated support means in a support position, in which the elongated support means is within reach of the hull part of the floating vessel to be supported when the hull is jacked out of the water and the jack-up platform rests on its legs. A method for mooring a floating vessel using the jack-up platform is also described.

Abstract: The present techniques are directed to systems and a method for reducing trenching around piles. An exemplary method includes attaching a mooring line to one end of a padeye extender bar that is coupled by another end to a padeye on the pile. The pile is installed in a sediment layer. The padeye extender bar is deployed to hold an attachment point for the mooring line above the sedimenlt layer.

Abstract: Aquatic Structures are disclosed that include a nonwoven fiber mat, a connecting material, an anchor and a protective coating. The nonwoven fiber mat may be in the form of a roll having multiple layers and the connecting material may connect those layers. The roll may be submerged in a body of water and the anchor may be connected to a floor of the body of water. Uses of those aquatic structures are also taught.

Abstract: The invention relates to a maritime structure for laying the foundations of buildings, installations or wind turbines by means of gravity in a marine environment, which has significant advantages for constructing, transporting, positioning and operating same, owing to the novel features introduced into the design thereof in comparison with existing types. The structure comprises a base in the shape of a chamfered equilateral triangle, having a sufficient height to optimise navigability, the base being formed by a frame of vertical walls that form hexagonal or triangular cells closed at the ends by a lower slab and an upper slab, and three closed towers having a regular hexagonal or circular cross section which are located in the corners of the base. The structure can be towed, completely installed, with a wind turbine or superstructure that same supports, and has low initial draft, high naval stability and low resistance to movement.

Abstract: A floating marine structure which includes a first float disposed at the center and a plurality of second floats disposed around the first float, where the first float has a floating body made of a floatable material in a polygonal prism shape, a damping unit coupled to the bottom of the floating body at the center, having the same cross-section as the floating body, having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the floating body, and reducing a shake of the first float in the sea, and at least one coupling hole formed at each side of the floating body. The second float has the same shape as the floating body and has coupling protrusions formed at sides facing the sides of the floating body and inserted in the coupling holes, and wherein the coupling holes are formed at alternate sides of the floating body.

Abstract: A flotation device capable of being used with a portable mooring system preferably includes a first bumper ring including a first male end and a first female end diametrically spaced therefrom, a second bumper ring including a second male end and a second female end diametrically spaced therefrom, an anchor bracket affixed to an outer surface of at least one of the first and second bumper rings, a cleat removably attached to the anchor bracket, and a quick release handle removably penetrated through one of the first and second male ends as well as a corresponding one of the first and second female ends. In this manner, the first and second bumper rings define a circle when interfitted to each other. Such first and second bumper rings are preferably formed from buoyant material.

Abstract: A boat protector is provided with padding on a front surface and is adapted to be secured to a piling or similar structure which is anticipated to contact a watercraft by positioning the padded side facing outward and wrapping securing straps around the piling or similar structure. The securing straps are provided with fastening means to adequately secure the protector to the piling or similar structure.

Abstract: A device that attaches to the center of a boat slip so a boat entering the slip will engage the device. The device consist of a central vertical member having a horizontal support bar on one end so that the horizontal support bar is approximately centered with respect to the vertical member and is approximately perpendicular thereto. Each end of the horizontal support bar is provided with a forwardly inclined leg that engages the rear end of an approaching boat as the boat backs into the boat slip. Each leg is capable of flexing slightly rearward when engaged by the boat to slow and stop the boat, preventing damage to both the boat and the dock. An alternate embodiment eliminates the vertical member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a marine fender being low and uniform in the compression surface pressure and excellent in the wear characteristics, and more particularly to a marine fender comprising a shock receiving portion 2 inclusive of a shock receiving resin board 4 and a pair of rubbery leg portions 3 disposed on the downside of the shock receiving portion 2 in a height direction of the fender, characterized in that a width W (mm) of the shock receiving portion 2 and a height H (mm) of the fender 1 satisfy a relation of the following equation (1); 2H?W??(1) and a thickness h1 (mm) of the shock receiving portion, a height h2 (mm) of the leg portion, a thickness t (mm) of the leg portion and a height H (mm) of the fender satisfy a relation of the following equation (2); h2/4?t?h1?H/2?h2??(2).

Abstract: A watercraft bumper for a watercraft may include a sleeve to connect to a piling, the sleeve being detachably connected to the piling, the sleeve having a slit to open and close to detachably connect to the piling, the slit being in communication with a central aperture to cooperate with the piling, and the sleeve including a biasing device to open and close the slit.

Abstract: A frame rail assembly for a boat dock structure includes a frame rail member and a removable resilient rub-rail member. The frame rail member includes a first side configured for securing the frame rail member to a side of the boat dock structure; a second side opposing the first side; a first channel extending along a length of the frame rail member; and a second channel below the first channel, the second channel extending along the length of the frame rail member. An interlocking frame rail system for boat dock structures includes a first frame rail member, a second frame rail member, and an upper connector member extending along at least a portion of a length of the first frame rail member and at least a portion of the length of a second frame rail member.

Abstract: A sensor accommodation container, attached to a cap member of a pneumatic fender and installed inside a fender bag, includes a container body attached to a through hole penetrating the cap member so as to be able to move and protrude out of the fender bag and held at a predetermined protruded position, a lid for closing the through hole, a first seal member for sealing a gap between the container body and the through hole, a communication hole for communicating inside and outside of the container body when the container body has been installed inside the fender bag and a second seal member for shutting off the communication between the inside and the outside of the fender bag via the communication hole when the container body has been held at a predetermined protruded position.

Abstract: A portable water level-responsive mooring device has a mooring strap with a ring capable of engaging the mooring device around a dock piling. The mooring strap has a suitable length of cord having a clip or ring on each end capable of releasably attaching to a fender, spacing tubes, and rollers. The spacing tubes and rollers have an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the spacing tubes and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cord. The cord is positioned within an arrangement of the spacing tubes and rollers, the length of cord being sufficient to wrap around a dock piling.

Abstract: A watercraft bumper for a watercraft may include a sleeve to connect to a piling, the sleeve being detachably connected to the piling, the sleeve having a slit to open and close to detachably connect to the piling, the slit being in communication with a central aperture to cooperate with the piling, and the sleeve including a biasing device to open and close the slit.

Abstract: A flange free, semi-rigid resilient, hollow, dock fender having a skeletal triangular shape with a set of radiused edges and end fasteners to support the dock fender as the dock fender longitudinally and transversely distorts and flexes to distribute an impact force to protect objects proximate either side of an impact area on the dock fender with the skeletal triangular shape enabling use of low cost manufacturing techniques to form the dock fender from semi-rigid materials where the shape of the dock fender rather than the compressibility of the material of the dock fender enables the dock fender to absorb repeated impacts without damage to the dock fender and the securement of a hanger to end caps to a dock fender allows the dock fender to be used as a hanging dock fender, which inhibits rotation of the dock fender during an impact or the dock fender where the dock fender may or may not be in kit form.

Abstract: A system operates like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for inhibiting damage from impact between a marine structure and an adjacent watercraft, and a related method, are described. The apparatus includes a cushion body forming a mounting surface and a watercraft-engaging surface substantially opposing the mounting surface, at least one rigid support member, the rigid support member defined by or configured for contact with the mounting surface of the cushion body and disposed, during use, between the cushion body and the portion of the marine structure, and attachment means for detachably attaching the cushion body to the portion of the marine structure. The cushion body, when attached to the portion of the marine structure, is sized and configured to prevent destructive contact between the marine structure and a watercraft when the watercraft-engaging surface is contacted by the watercraft.

Abstract: A frame rail assembly for a boat dock structure includes a first frame rail member, a second frame rail member and a corner bumper member. The first frame rail member is secured to a first side of the boat dock structure and includes a first channel and a second channel The second frame rail member is secured to a second side of the boat dock structure and includes a first channel and a second channel. The corner bumper is positioned at a corner between a first end of the first frame rail member and a first end of the second frame rail member. The corner bumper member includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes coupling members engaged with the channels of the first frame rail member, and the second section includes coupling members engaged with the channels of the second frame rail member.

Abstract: A frame rail assembly for a boat dock structure includes a frame rail member and a removable resilient rub-rail member. The frame rail member includes a first side configured for securing the frame rail member to a side of the boat dock structure; a second side opposing the first side; a first channel extending along a length of the frame rail member; and a second channel below the first channel, the second channel extending along the length of the frame rail member. An interlocking frame rail system for boat dock structures includes a first frame rail member, a second frame rail member, and an upper connector member extending along at least a portion of a length of the first frame rail member and at least a portion of the length of a second frame rail member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe having a clamp. In one embodiment the clamp includes pads for clamping onto the outer surface or coating of the rigid pip, the pads having a teeth or serrations formed thereon for gripping the outer surface of the pipe. In a second embodiment, the clamp includes one or more coil springs formed from a resilient material adapted to be wound around the outer circumference of the pipe. The method for mounting a buoyancy module onto a rigid pipe includes the steps of reducing the outer diameter of the pipe at a location of the pipe to which a buoyancy module is to be attached and subsequently mounting a buoyancy module at such location.

Abstract: A rub rail system for a vessel including a rigid track extrusion attached to a vessel, a resilient flexible fender extrusion, and a shock absorbing inner core. The inner core is disposed in the fender extrusion and the core is substantially softer than the fender extrusion. The fender extrusion is configured to matingly engage the track extrusion. The fender extrusion has an upper barb engaging an upper receiving cavity of the track extrusion and a lower barb engaging a lower receiving cavity of the track extrusion. The track extrusion has an upper tang engaging an upper recess of the fender extrusion and a lower tang engaging a lower recess of the fender extrusion. The track extrusion also includes an upper lip configured to engage a top portion of the perimeter of the vessel and a lower lip configured to engage a lower portion of the perimeter of the vessel.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for protecting supporting structures, such as those of a bridge or other such marine supporting structure, from the force of an impact of a vehicle/vessel. Such a system includes a plurality of modular components arranged in series and configured to dissipate the energy of the force through the progressive buckling of one or more of the modular components. Each modular component contains an energy dissipation unit that includes a plurality of adjacent cells. The energy of the force is dissipated in the buckling of the walls of the cells of the energy dissipation units through the formation of one or more plastic hinges and/or volume reduction of the cells.

Abstract: A pneumatic fender is configured to improve workability during folding up, be conveniently secured during transport, and suppress damage during folding up and during transport, thus increasing durability. A method for transporting the pneumatic fender also has these characteristics. In the pneumatic fender, at least one crease is formed extending in the lengthwise direction at the outer surface of a torso body section in the pneumatic fender. After the air has been discharged from the pneumatic fender, a bag is pushed flat with mirror body sections as the upper surface of the torso body section and then with the crease as a boundary, the bag is folded towards the upper surface. In this folded state, the pneumatic fenders are loaded into a container and transported.

Abstract: A frame rail assembly for a boat dock structure includes a frame rail member and a removable resilient rub-rail member. The frame rail member includes a first side configured for securing the frame rail member to a side of the boat dock structure; a second side opposing the first side; a first channel extending along a length of the frame rail member; and a second channel below the first channel, the second channel extending along the length of the frame rail member. An interlocking frame rail system for boat dock structures includes a first frame rail member, a second frame rail member, and an upper connector member extending along at least a portion of a length of the first frame rail member and at least a portion of the length of a second frame rail member.

Abstract: A dock catway is comprised of a catway frame adapted at a near end to be secured to a dock. The dock catway has a nose piece structure at a far end of the catway frame. At least one dock bumper is secured to a side wall of the catway structure. A platform is provided on a top end of the catway frame. The nose piece is molded with two layers of polyethylene. An inner one of the layers is of a lighter contrasting color than an outer one of the layers, wherein the outer one of the two layers is at least partly machined to form delineations having increased translucency to conduct light from one or more internal light sources secured inside the nose piece.

Abstract: A portable water level-responsive mooring device has a mooring strap with a ring capable of engaging the mooring device around a dock piling. The mooring strap has a suitable length of cord having a clip or ring on each end capable of releasably attaching to a fender, spacing tubes, and rollers. The spacing tubes and rollers have an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the spacing tubes and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cord. The cord is positioned within an arrangement of the spacing tubes and rollers, the length of cord being sufficient to wrap around a dock piling.

Abstract: An apparatus for inhibiting damage from impact between a marine structure and an adjacent watercraft, and a related method, are described. The apparatus includes a cushion body forming a mounting surface and a watercraft-engaging surface substantially opposing the mounting surface, at least one rigid support member, the rigid support member defined by or configured for contact with the mounting surface of the cushion body and disposed, during use, between the cushion body and the portion of the marine structure, and attachment means for detachably attaching the cushion body to the portion of the marine structure. The cushion body, when attached to the portion of the marine structure, is sized and configured to prevent destructive contact between the marine structure and a watercraft when the watercraft-engaging surface is contacted by the watercraft.

Abstract: A protective device (1) of the “floating barrier” type for preventing a floating body from colliding with a construction includes a barrier element (2) consisting of a cable provided with floats (4), each of the two ends (2a) of which cable is connected to a respective one of the posts (3), and at least one of which ends is connected to the respective one of the posts (3) via an energy-dissipation system (5). The energy-dissipation system (5) advantageously includes: at least one chain having a segment that is folded in half, being made up of links that are connected together in pairs by breakable ties; and at least one spring member.

Abstract: A load absorbing device or other resilient device, such as a fender, bumper, or rub rail, for protecting an object, such as a dock or boat, from an impact force delivered by another object includes a leaf spring portion connected to the object. The leaf spring portion includes a fixed end and a free end operable to transmit to the object a fraction of the impact force and is designed to collapse upon loading with the impact force to thereby absorb energy that would otherwise be transferred directly to the object. In a preferred embodiment, the leaf spring portion is extruded of a high-strength abrasion-resistant plastic material having a low coefficient of friction, such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The leaf spring portion may include multiple mounting holes sized to receive mounting fasteners for rigidly connecting the device to the object.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for guiding a watercraft, including: at least two center members of relatively hard material; each of the at least two center members having a tube of relatively soft material forced thereover; the tube of relative soft material contacting a rubrail of the watercraft; and no other part of the apparatus contacts any portion of the watercraft.

Abstract: A portable water level-responsive mooring device has a mooring strap with a ring capable of engaging the mooring device around a dock piling. The mooring strap has a suitable length of cord having a clip or ring on each end capable of releasably attaching to a fender, spacing tubes, and rollers. The spacing tubes and rollers have an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the spacing tubes and an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cord. The cord is positioned within an arrangement of the spacing tubes and rollers, the length of cord being sufficient to wrap around a dock piling.

Abstract: A device for maintaining very long tubes or pipelines in position and damping same in relation to fixed support structures is inserted between a pipeline and a fixed support which can be used to position a plurality of pipelines. The device includes a cylindrical sleeve comprising a central hub and side walls which project out externally, such that a pipeline can be passed through a central hole. An elastically-deformable shaped component is provided around the central hub and between the side walls of the sleeve in order to provide damping at least radially and to perform an elastic return function. The component deforms temporarily when it abuts against the fixed support in accordance with the movements of the pipeline owing to environmental stresses. The device controls and absorbs axial and radial movements following the positioning of the pipeline and the expansion thereof.

Abstract: A jackup rig having a built-in capability of driving and extracting piles without need for dedicated pile drivers or extractors. The jackup rig provides an ice breaking functional capability, supplied by a jacking system, for operating in icy waters.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for protecting supporting structures, such as those of a bridge or other such marine supporting structure, from the force of an impact of a vehicle/vessel. Such a system includes a plurality of modular components arranged in series and configured to dissipate the energy of the force through the progressive buckling of one or more of the modular components. Each modular component contains an energy dissipation unit that includes a plurality of adjacent cells. The energy of the force is dissipated in the buckling of the walls of the cells of the energy dissipation units through the formation of one or more plastic hinges and/or volume reduction of the cells.

Abstract: A system to protect structures in a marine environment from the effects of an impact force. The system includes a plurality of floatable devices (panels) and a plurality of fibrous networks. The fibrous networks include high tenacity fibers which extend at least in a generally horizontal direction and are in communication with the plurality of floatable panels. The plurality of fibrous networks are disposed in a generally parallel arrangement with respect to each other and are vertically spaced apart by a distance not exceeding about 12 inches (30.5 cm). The system is designed to be spaced from the structure to be protected.

Abstract: A frame rail assembly for a boat dock structure includes a frame rail member and a removable resilient rub-rail member. The frame rail member includes a first side configured for securing the frame rail member to a side of the boat dock structure; a second side opposing the first side; a first channel extending along a length of the frame rail member; and a second channel below the first channel, the second channel extending along the length of the frame rail member. An interlocking frame rail system for boat dock structures includes a first frame rail member, a second frame rail member, and an upper connector member extending along at least a portion of a length of the first frame rail member and at least a portion of the length of a second frame rail member.

Abstract: A motion reduction apparatus has an orthorhombic shaped floating main body (11), a plumb plate supported vertically on one side section of the floating main body by stay members (13), and flow sections (15) for flooding with incoming water are provided between the floating main body and the plumb plate in such a way that an upper end section of the plumb plate is at about the same height as the bottom surface of the floating main body.

Abstract: method for determining a vortex induced vibration (VIV) suppression device configuration for a structure, comprising determining one or more technical parameters of the structure; determining VIV suppression performance for at least 2 different VIV suppression devices; determining installation and manufacturing or purchase costs of the at least 2 different VIV suppression devices; determining future costs for the at least 2 different VIV suppression devices; calculating total costs for the at least 2 different VIV suppression devices; and selecting a device with the lowest total costs that meets a desired level of VIV suppression for the technical parameters.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system comprising a structure, a vortex induced vibration monitoring system, adapted to monitor a vortex induced vibration level of the structure, a tensioner connected to the structure, and a controller adapted to calculate a tension on the structure to optimize the vortex induced vibration value of the structure.

Abstract: A marine fender for protecting a marine structure and watercraft against damage from collision forces. The marine fender includes an elongate body of resilient material having a basal wall dimensioned and configured for mounting the marine fender on the marine structure, and an outer wall for being engaged by a collision force, the basal wall and the outer wall defining an inner space. A web within the inner space is integral with the basal wall and with the outer wall, and has a generally M-shaped lateral cross-sectional configuration enabling cushioning by the outer wall and establishing an integral reinforcing and energy absorbing construction within the inner space for protecting against damage to the marine structure from collision forces exerted against the outer wall, as well as against damage to the watercraft.

Abstract: A boat fender mount which is characterized by a fender mount plate of selected shape and size adapted for receiving a boat fender and a selected number (typically two) of piling plates typically fixed or hingedly attached to the fender mount plate in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other and having aligned, adjustable piling openings or recesses for securing the fender mount plate and the attached boat fender to a piling. In one embodiment the boat fender is secured to the fender mount plate by mount straps or ties which extend from the boat fender through openings provided in the fender mount plate. In another embodiment the fender mount plate is oval or elliptically-shaped and is capable of receiving the boat fender along the long or short axis, vertically or horizontally, with the boat fender in position over a water body to provide cushioning for boats moored adjacent to the piling.

Abstract: Protective structures for offshore installations and methods for using same are provided. The protective structure can include a body adapted to be disposed at least partially about a primary structure of an offshore installation, and a support system can be disposed on the body. One or more protrusions can be disposed about an outer surface of the body. The protrusions can have a first end adapted to break ice. The support system can be adapted to isolate the one or more bodies from the primary structure such that the one or more bodies can absorb at least a portion of ice generated vibrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loading dock fender unit (12) which is adapted for attachment adjacent a dock leveller (11) of a loading dock (10), the fender unit comprising a mounting plate (13), an elongate track (19) fixed to and projecting from the front face of the mounting plate (13) centrally thereof, a solid rubber or rubber like fender (15) guided for vertical sliding movement along the track (19), and a spring loaded fender restraining mechanism (16) which supports the fender in a normal at rest position and is arranged to resist movement of the fender (15) when displaced downwards from the normal at rest position by an externally applied force. In use, when a vehicle trailer is backed up against the dock with its rear end making contact with the fender (15), any up or down movement of the trailer rear end will cause simultaneous up or down movement of the fender (15).

Abstract: The invention relates to a docking buffer for attaching to ramps, comprising an elastic damping element (3) that is situated between two U-shaped sections (1; 2) consisting of a hard, shock-proof material. The limbs (4; 5) and (6; 7) of said sections are adjacent to one another and can be displaced in relation to one another, the limbs (4; 5) of one U-shaped section (2) converging at an angle ? that deviates from 90° in relation to a base surface (9) and the limbs (6; 7) of the other U-shaped section (1) diverging at an angle ? that deviates from 90° in relation to a base plate (8). The opening widths between the ends of the limbs (4; 5) and (6; 7) and the sizes of the angles ?; ? are selected in such a way that the limbs (4; 5) embrace the limbs (6; 7). The advantage of the invention is that it provides a docking buffer with a simple construction that is thus cost-effective to produce, said buffer affording reliable protection even during an off-center collision.

Abstract: A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for the safe berthing of marine vessels in the high seas and other unprotected open waters. The invention allows a large vessel to be berthed alongside in close enough proximity to a marine structure so that conventional loading arm equipment may be used to load and unload the vessel under most environmental conditions. One or more floating dolphins moored to the bottom of the sea and provided with fendering means are used for berthing the vessel alongside to the marine structure. The preferred type of floating dolphin is a triangular semi-submersible moored buoyant structure comprising three buoyant column members, or “caissons”, arranged invertical fashion, three buoyant hull segments, or “pontoons”, that support and separate the column members and provide heave damping to the moored buoyant structure, and three horizontal bracing members that retain the tops of the column members in place.

Abstract: A fender includes an inflatable body that is partially filled with water, a port sized to receive the water into the body and a plug adapted to seal the port. The partially filed fender floats in the water with a lower portion extending and remaining below the water even during wave action, leaving the bottom portion of the fender to protect a portion of a floating object that extends below the waterline.

Abstract: An illuminated bumper assembly having an elongated light source for emitting light rays and an elongated bumper for carrying the elongated light source. The elongated bumper is adapted to allow light rays from the elongated light source to be emitted along its length. In some embodiments, the elongated bumper has a primary bumper surface that faces away from a protected surface, and the elongated bumper is structured to engage one or more approaching objects and at least partially protect the protected surface from the one or more approaching objects. In some cases, the elongated light source may be situated between the primary bumper surface and the protected surface such that the primary bumper surface also helps protect the elongated light source from the one or more objects. The illuminated bumper may be adapted for use on boats and/or other applications, as desired.

Abstract: A dock bumper for minimizing damage to a back of a vehicle upon contacting a low-lying object may include a generally-rigid shock-absorbing member to be secured adjacent to a back portion of the vehicle. The shock-absorbing member may include a distal surface extended away from the back portion of the vehicle to contact a surface of a loading dock as the vehicle is operated in reverse, and a proximate surface positioned to contact a structural member at the back portion of the vehicle. A modular step may be coupled to the shock-absorbing member to dissipate at least a suitable portion of a force exerted on the step to minimize damage to the structural member contacting the proximate surface of the shock-absorbing member.