Novel techniques and equipment for anchoring a boat include sensing and measuring the real time rate and length of rode release based on detecting real time changes in the angular position of a windlass by computer vision using a portable computing device. Rode release is also detected using novel methods based on sensing sound, rode chain movement, and sensing acceleration and/or motion. The apparatus can include software operable to provide safe anchoring based on monitoring real times values of the rate and length of rode release, comparing these values to the speed and position of the boat, and providing local and remote status and alarm information to crew members.

Described are ships and docking systems comprising a fender for mounting on a bow of a ship, comprising an elastically deformable body portion, and a concave engagement surface defined by the body portion, wherein the concave engagement surface extends perpendicular to a center line of the ship, such that portions of the fender distal to the center line extend further forward in a direction parallel to the center line than a portion of the fender central to the center line.

The invention relates to an operations vessel for the maintenance, installation and/or disassembly of offshore structures, comprising: a hull equipped with ballast means connected to a control system; at least one working platform supported on the hull by means of one or more support elements; and at least one system for coupling to an offshore structure, wherein said coupling system can adopt, at least, a state in which it is coupled to said offshore structure and a state in which it is not coupled to said offshore structure. Advantageously, the control system and the coupling system are configured in a cooperating manner, in order to adopt at least two working positions of the vessel, wherein the hull adopts an above-water state with the coupling system decoupled, and at least a second working position wherein the hull adopts a submerged state in which the coupling system is coupled to the offshore structure.

The invention relates to an operations vessel for the maintenance, installation and/or disassembly of offshore structures, comprising: a hull equipped with ballast means connected to a control system; at least one working platform supported on the hull by means of one or more support elements; and at least one system for coupling to an offshore structure, wherein said coupling system can adopt, at least, a state in which it is coupled to said offshore structure and a state in which it is not coupled to said offshore structure. Advantageously, the control system and the coupling system are configured in a cooperating manner, in order to adopt at least two working positions of the vessel, wherein the hull adopts an above-water state with the coupling system decoupled, and at least a second working position wherein the hull adopts a submerged state in which the coupling system is coupled to the offshore structure.

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.

Vessel (60), comprising a transverse bow (62) with an elongated bow fender (10) protruding with respect to the bow (62), which bow fender (10) is designed to be pushed against a stationary object (50), said vessel 60) further comprises at least two engagement arms (20) with telescopic parts (22,24), said engagements arms (20) are mounted in a position above the bow fender (10) and facing each other, and each engagement arm (20) is pivotable against each other for engagement with the stationary object (50) from opposite directions. Each engagement arm (20) comprises a tiltable engagement pad (26) with a contacting surface (26a) creating stabilizing contact between the contacting surfaces (26a) of the engagement pads (26) and at least a part of the stationary object (50), said engagement pads (26) being tiltable about an axis running in same longitudinal direction as the engagement arms (20).

Vessel (60), comprising a transverse bow (62) with an elongated bow fender (10) protruding with respect to the bow (62), which bow fender (10) is designed to be pushed against a stationary object (50), said vessel 60) further comprises at least two engagement arms (20) with telescopic parts (22,24), said engagements arms (20) are mounted in a position above the bow fender (10) and facing each other, and each engagement arm (20) is pivotable against each other for engagement with the stationary object (50) from opposite directions. Each engagement arm (20) comprises a tiltable engagement pad (26) with a contacting surface (26a) creating stabilizing contact between the contacting surfaces (26a) of the engagement pads (26) and at least a part of the stationary object (50), said engagement pads (26) being tiltable about an axis running in same longitudinal direction as the engagement arms (20).

A suctioning watercraft fender attaches to a watercraft while the watercraft is in a mooring state. The watercraft fender may couple a first watercraft to a second watercraft or a first watercraft to a fixed surface. The watercraft fender includes a body defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the body includes first and second opposing ends. The fender further includes a first coupling member coupled to the first end of the body. The first coupling member includes a first suction cup and a first pressure mount actuatable to selectively lock or release the first suction cup from a first surface.

A suctioning watercraft fender attaches to a watercraft while the watercraft is in a mooring state. The watercraft fender may couple a first watercraft to a second watercraft or a first watercraft to a fixed surface. The watercraft fender includes a body defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the body includes first and second opposing ends. The fender further includes a first coupling member coupled to the first end of the body. The first coupling member includes a first suction cup and a first pressure mount actuatable to selectively lock or release the first suction cup from a first surface.

A method of automatically moving, by an automatic location placement system, a marine vessel includes receiving, by a central processing unit, from a vision ranging photography system, at least one optical feed including data providing a mapping of an environment surrounding a marine vessel. The method includes displaying, by the central processing unit, on a touch screen monitor, the mapping of the environment. The method includes receiving, by the central processing unit, from the touch screen monitor, target location data. The method includes directing, by the central processing unit, at least one element of a propulsion system of the marine vessel, to move the marine vessel to the targeted location, using the mapping.