The mooring connector has a hollow body or shell and a central core. The hollow body or shell is formed from an engineering polymer, e.g. polyamide, and is generally cylindrical and has two shell parts. The hollow body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface has a central groove portion or rope running surface and two outer groove portions or rope running surfaces. The two outer groove portions or rope running surfaces are tapered, such that the outer groove portions are not equally spaced from the central groove portion around the entire circumference of the hollow body or shell. The central core is a solid body that is formed from a metallic material, for example steel. The central core is generally cylindrical and has a shape that is configured to correspond to the shape of the recess of the hollow body or shell. The central core has a central portion and arms that extend from the central portion to outer flanges. The diameter of the central core at the outer flanges and the central portion is greater than the diameter of the central core at the arms. This is to ensure that the central core has the required strength in the areas of the mooring connector that supports a rope, in use.

A mooring device including: a strut with a first end and a second end; a first head; a pivot mount; a first suction cup; a rotating mount; a second head; a second suction cup; a rod; and a flotation cover sleeve. The pivot mount allows the first head to pivot about a first head axis and therefore to rotate relative to the strut. The rotating mount allows the suction cup to rotate about a second axis relative to the strut. The flotation cover sleeve having a buoyancy sufficient to render the entire apparatus positively buoyant in water.

A mooring device including: a strut with a first end and a second end; a first head; a pivot mount; a first suction cup; a rotating mount; a second head; a second suction cup; a rod; and a flotation cover sleeve. The pivot mount allows the first head to pivot about a first head axis and therefore to rotate relative to the strut. The rotating mount allows the suction cup to rotate about a second axis relative to the strut. The flotation cover sleeve having a buoyancy sufficient to render the entire apparatus positively buoyant in water.

A tension device for securing a floating structure includes an elastic member, first and second end members, and an inelastic member. The elastic member is stretchable under tension from an unstretched length to a stretched length. The first and second end members are carried at first and second ends of the elastic member, respectively. The inelastic member is secured to the first and second end member and limits the stretched length of the elastic member. First and second restrictive apertures are limited in diameter by first and second sewn portions of the inelastic member, respectively. The first and second restrictive apertures prevent separation between the inelastic member and the first and second ends of the elastic member, when the tension device is loaded in tension.

An apparatus for connecting items, even with irregular surfaces, to each other while maintaining a minimum distance between the items. The apparatus can have a suction cup comprising a cup body, a sealing edge, an internal surface, an external surface, a fluid pathway extending from an interior of the cup body to the exterior of the cup body, and a plurality of cleats positioned on the internal surface of the cup body extending radially inward from proximate the sealing edge. The thickness of each cleat increases distal to the sealing edge. When air is pumped out of the cup body to allow it to seal to a surface, the cleats create a desirable fluid flow profile allowing for a tighter and more efficacious seal.

An apparatus for connecting items, even with irregular surfaces, to each other while maintaining a minimum distance between the items. The apparatus can have a suction cup comprising a cup body, a sealing edge, an internal surface, an external surface, a fluid pathway extending from an interior of the cup body to the exterior of the cup body, and a plurality of cleats positioned on the internal surface of the cup body extending radially inward from proximate the sealing edge. The thickness of each cleat increases distal to the sealing edge. When air is pumped out of the cup body to allow it to seal to a surface, the cleats create a desirable fluid flow profile allowing for a tighter and more efficacious seal.

Watercraft docking apparatus including a spreadable clamp attachable to a watercraft to be docked, an elongated pole attached at one end to the spreadable clamp, and structure attaching mechanism attached to an opposite end of the elongated pole. The spreadable clamp and the structure attaching mechanism are both designed to prevent lateral horizontal movement of the elongated pole.

A variable weight boat anchor having an added weight storage capacity for submerged unloading of added weight is presented. Remote signal from a boat triggers the release of added matter in the anchor for a lighter pulling.

Mooring systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, the system can include a first vessel support structure and a second vessel support structure, each disposed on a vessel. Each vessel support structure can include at least one extension arm can be suspended from each vessel support structure. A ballast tank can be connected to each of the at least one extension arms. A first end of a yoke can be connected to the ballast tank and a second end of the yoke can include a yoke head disposed thereon. The system can also include a first mooring support structure and a second mooring support structure, each fixed in place. Each mooring support structure can include a pitch bearing. The yoke heads of the first and second vessel support structures can be connected to the pitch bearings of the first and second mooring support structures, respectively.

Mooring systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, the system can include a first vessel support structure and a second vessel support structure, each disposed on a vessel. Each vessel support structure can include at least one extension arm can be suspended from each vessel support structure. A ballast tank can be connected to each of the at least one extension arms. A first end of a yoke can be connected to the ballast tank and a second end of the yoke can include a yoke head disposed thereon. The system can also include a first mooring support structure and a second mooring support structure, each fixed in place. Each mooring support structure can include a pitch bearing. The yoke heads of the first and second vessel support structures can be connected to the pitch bearings of the first and second mooring support structures, respectively.