Described is a tugboat 1 for assisting a marine vessel 2 to manoeuvre. The tugboat 1 comprises a hull 11 having a perimeter P. The tugboat 1 also comprises a line handling system 10 comprising a line guide mechanism 100. The line guide mechanism 100 protrudes, or is positionable to protrude, away from the hull 11 for guiding a line 20 of the marine vessel 2 towards a predetermined region R of the perimeter P.

Described is a tugboat 1 for assisting a marine vessel 2 to manoeuvre. The tugboat 1 comprises a hull 11 having a perimeter P. The tugboat 1 also comprises a line handling system 10 comprising a line guide mechanism 100. The line guide mechanism 100 protrudes, or is positionable to protrude, away from the hull 11 for guiding a line 20 of the marine vessel 2 towards a predetermined region R of the perimeter P.

A tie-down anchor for use with decking boards, or the like, having a gap with a longitudinal axis located between adjacent decking boards. The tie-down anchor includes a continuously formed anchor having a lower leg extending in a first direction in a first horizontal plane, a vertical section connected to the lower leg and perpendicular to the first horizontal plane, an upper leg that is parallel to the lower leg and lies in a second horizontal plane spaced above the first horizontal plane by the length of vertical section, and a loop above the vertical section and the upper leg. Wherein the lower leg can be inserted within the gap between adjacent decking boards and the loop turned to trap the anchor between the decking boards such that the upper leg and lower leg are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

A tie-down anchor for use with decking boards, or the like, having a gap with a longitudinal axis located between adjacent decking boards. The tie-down anchor includes a continuously formed anchor having a lower leg extending in a first direction in a first horizontal plane, a vertical section connected to the lower leg and perpendicular to the first horizontal plane, an upper leg that is parallel to the lower leg and lies in a second horizontal plane spaced above the first horizontal plane by the length of vertical section, and a loop above the vertical section and the upper leg. Wherein the lower leg can be inserted within the gap between adjacent decking boards and the loop turned to trap the anchor between the decking boards such that the upper leg and lower leg are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gap.

In some implementations, the anchor stowage safety system may include a contactless switch having a first contact half configured to be disposed on a portion of an anchor rode and a second contact half configured to be mounted to a stationary portion of a boat at a predetermined position. In addition, the anchor stowage safety system may include where the contactless switch is configured to be in a closed position when the first contact half and the second contact half are positioned adjacent to one another and is configured to be in an open position when the first contact half and the second contact half are positioned separated from one another.

In some implementations, the anchor stowage safety system may include a contactless switch having a first contact half configured to be disposed on a portion of an anchor rode and a second contact half configured to be mounted to a stationary portion of a boat at a predetermined position. In addition, the anchor stowage safety system may include where the contactless switch is configured to be in a closed position when the first contact half and the second contact half are positioned adjacent to one another and is configured to be in an open position when the first contact half and the second contact half are positioned separated from one another.

An apparatus for securing watercraft against tidal action, wind and weather has an elongate vertical shaft having a top end and a bottom end and a slide block slidably attached to the elongate vertical shaft. The slide block slides between the top end and the bottom end and has a pair of slots therein and an opening positioned between the slots. The slots and opening are configured to allow a mooring line to be secured to the slide block. A top mounting bracket and bottom mounting bracket are attached to the top end and bottom end, respectively, of the elongate vertical shaft. The top and bottom mounting brackets are configured for attachment to mooring structures. The top mounting bracket includes an integral mooring line hook. A compression spring is mounted on the elongate vertical shaft and seated upon the bottom mounting bracket and absorbs the impact of the slide block.

An apparatus for securing watercraft against tidal action, wind and weather has an elongate vertical shaft having a top end and a bottom end and a slide block slidably attached to the elongate vertical shaft. The slide block slides between the top end and the bottom end and has a pair of slots therein and an opening positioned between the slots. The slots and opening are configured to allow a mooring line to be secured to the slide block. A top mounting bracket and bottom mounting bracket are attached to the top end and bottom end, respectively, of the elongate vertical shaft. The top and bottom mounting brackets are configured for attachment to mooring structures. The top mounting bracket includes an integral mooring line hook. A compression spring is mounted on the elongate vertical shaft and seated upon the bottom mounting bracket and absorbs the impact of the slide block.

A rope ring with a wear indicator. The typical ring is toroidal in shape. The wear indicator is a pair of opposed annular grooves in the side walls optionally spaced from the hole edge. As the ring wears, the hole diameter increases at points along either hole edge. In one method, maximum wear occurs when the hole wall edges form one or more indentations in either groove. In another method, maximum wear occurs when either groove is severed at one or more points on the groove. Optionally, the grooves are filled with a coloring agent to provide greater visibility to the wear indicator.

A mooring apparatus may allow for watercraft to be secured to a mooring structure. An example of a mooring apparatus includes a frame secured to a shell cover at a plurality of points, a plurality of rollers disposed within the frame, and a tension bar disposed within the frame and parallel to the plurality or rollers.