An anchoring device for anchoring a floating object to an anchor structure, including a first attachment for being constrained to the floating object; a second attachment for being constrained to the anchor structure; a damping member for damping the relative motion between the attachments for securing the first attachment to the second attachment and including a sliding chamber, a piston for sliding in the sliding chamber according to a relative motion between the attachments and a damper for damping the sliding of the piston in the sliding chamber; and a control unit including a measurement sensor for measuring the sliding of the piston; and a control board for varying the damping of the damper according to the sliding of the piston detected by the measurement sensor.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring windlass rotation are provided to determine the real time rate and length of rode release when anchoring a boat. The rotation can be monitored in real time using directional sound and/or electromagnetic radiation receivers and/or transmitter in a module attached to the windlass. Another windlass module can monitor windlass rotation using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) components such as accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units (IMU) to sense motion and/or position.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring windlass rotation are provided to determine the real time rate and length of rode release when anchoring a boat. The rotation can be monitored in real time using directional sound and/or electromagnetic radiation receivers and/or transmitter in a module attached to the windlass. Another windlass module can monitor windlass rotation using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) components such as accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units (IMU) to sense motion and/or position.

A clamp comprises a plurality of pads; a belt for clamping the pads that is maneuverable between an unclamped configuration and a configuration clamping the pads against the production line; a clamping actuator for the clamp, mounted on a first point of the clamp, the clamping actuator having a grasping member for a second point of the clamp, the grasping member being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position moving the second point towards the first point. The spacing-apart mechanism is able to move the grasping member between a spaced-apart configuration of the second point in the deployed position of the grasping member and a grasping configuration in an intermediate position between the deployed position and the retracted position.

A clamp comprises a plurality of pads; a belt for clamping the pads that is maneuverable between an unclamped configuration and a configuration clamping the pads against the production line; a clamping actuator for the clamp, mounted on a first point of the clamp, the clamping actuator having a grasping member for a second point of the clamp, the grasping member being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position moving the second point towards the first point. The spacing-apart mechanism is able to move the grasping member between a spaced-apart configuration of the second point in the deployed position of the grasping member and a grasping configuration in an intermediate position between the deployed position and the retracted position.

A watercraft mooring system comprising a plurality of interchangeable mooring members for the temporary mooring of one watercraft to another watercraft or one watercraft to a stationary object such as a dock. The interchangeable mooring members comprising connecting rod member embodiments with adjustable lengths and connecting rod members without adjustable lengths, vacuum-handle member embodiments that provide an initial vacuum and a continuous vacuum to one or more vacuum cup assemblies, and a cleat connector member embodiment that is interchangeable with a vacuum-handle member. Embodiments of vacuum-handle member providing up to three points of omni-directional pivot functionality between the present invention and a temporarily moored watercraft.

Connectors assemblies. The connector assembly can include a stinger and a sleeve assembly that includes a latching mechanism. An outer surface of the stinger can define first and second grooves located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. An inner surface of the sleeve assembly can define first and second shoulders located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. The latching mechanism can be in an unlocked position or a locked position. When the latching mechanism is unlocked the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly. When the stinger is within the sleeve assembly and the latching mechanism is locked, the latching mechanism can maintain a first split ring partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder and a second split ring partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder to secure the stinger within the sleeve assembly.

Connectors assemblies. The connector assembly can include a stinger and a sleeve assembly that includes a latching mechanism. An outer surface of the stinger can define first and second grooves located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. An inner surface of the sleeve assembly can define first and second shoulders located toward first and second ends, respectively, thereof. The latching mechanism can be in an unlocked position or a locked position. When the latching mechanism is unlocked the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly. When the stinger is within the sleeve assembly and the latching mechanism is locked, the latching mechanism can maintain a first split ring partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder and a second split ring partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder to secure the stinger within the sleeve assembly.

A system and method for a line shock absorbing and/or tensioning device formed from a metal rod having a central coiled portion acting as a torsion spring with two arms extending radially from the coiled portion whereby the ends are terminated with a pigtail to allow a line to be captively held inside without the need to thread the line ends through. The line, when slackened, is manipulated inside the two pigtails and routed through a third formed pocket in the centered coiled portion to form a non-linear path. As the line is stressed, the line wants to straighten, therefore causing the V-shaped arms to flex apart and absorb the resulting shock while providing elasticity and elongation to the line itself.

The present invention provides a string-type mooring system. A support frame is provided on a dock. Two free guide rollers are provided at vertical corresponding positions that are respectively below a cross arm of the support frame and above the dock. The two free guide rollers are respectively wound with a cable. One end of each cable is connected to a platform arm fixed on a platform, and the other end thereof is horizontally connected with one end of a spring. The other ends of the two springs are respectively connected with a hydraulic device. The present invention provides an omnidirectional restoring force for the moored platform through the elastic deformation of the springs to control the movement response of the platform within a certain range. The present invention can adjust the slow change of the vertical position of the platform caused by tidal fluctuation.