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.

A maintenance facility includes: a first barge; a first connection portion disposed on the first barge and configured to connect the first barge to a second barge mounted with a device including a maintenance target portion; and a building disposed on the first barge and including a wall portion and a roof portion. On the first barge, a temporary placing space in which the maintenance target portion can be placed is disposed between the first connection portion and the building.

A dock stabilizing pile guide device includes a frame attached to a floating dock and enclosing a respective piling. The frame carries a plurality of rollers that rotatably interengage the piling and guide the dock upwardly and downwardly along the piling as the depth of the underlying water changes.

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.

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 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.

The method comprises installing at least one lower section of a mooring line at the bottom of the body of water; trapping the lower section in the ground; connecting an upper unit of the floating installation to the mooring line. The lower section being constituted by a chain, the chain defining, after the connection of the upper unit, a lower end of the mooring line not provided with a mooring point pre-mounted on the mooring line, in particular an anchor or pile.

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.

An automatic berthing system for an unmanned ship includes a plurality of roof plates fixedly arranged at a side edge of a shore, and a position adjusting mechanism is fixedly arranged in the roof plate. The position adjusting mechanism includes an X-direction adjusting assembly, a Y-direction adjusting assembly, and a Z-direction adjusting assembly. The X-direction adjusting assembly is fixedly connected to an inner sidewall of a fixing bracket. The fixing bracket is fixedly connected to an inner sidewall of the roof plate. A fixing plate is connected to the inner side of the X-direction adjusting assembly. The Y-direction adjusting assembly is connected to the bottom of the fixing plate. The automatic berthing system can realize accurate berthing of an unmanned ship, achieve an excellent berthing effect, and provide protection for the unmanned ship, achieving high safety.

A method of handling a mooring line having a first end portion attached to a vessel comprises capturing a second end portion of a mooring line with a moveable arm mounted to a towboat. The method also comprises securing a mid-portion of the mooring line between the first end portion and the second end portion with respect to the towboat. The method further comprises moving the second end portion of the mooring line from a first position to a second position whilst the mid-portion of the mooring line is secured to the towboat.