A hydrokinetic turbine system for harvesting energy from riverine and tidal sources, including a first floating dock, a marine hydrokinetic turbine mounted on the first floating dock, and a second floating dock. The system further includes a winch assembly mounted on the second floating dock and operationally connected to the first floating dock and a linkage assembly operationally connected to the first floating dock and to the second floating dock. The linkage assembly may be actuated to pull the first floating dock into contact with the second floating dock. The linkage assembly may be actuated to distance the first floating dock from the second floating dock, and the winch assembly may be energized to orient the first floating dock into a position wherein the marine hydrokinetic turbine is above the first floating dock and wherein the winch assembly may be energized to orient the first floating dock into a position wherein the marine hydrokinetic turbine is below the first floating dock.

A hydrokinetic turbine system for harvesting energy from riverine and tidal sources, including a first floating dock, a marine hydrokinetic turbine mounted on the first floating dock, and a second floating dock. The system further includes a winch assembly mounted on the second floating dock and operationally connected to the first floating dock and a linkage assembly operationally connected to the first floating dock and to the second floating dock. The linkage assembly may be actuated to pull the first floating dock into contact with the second floating dock. The linkage assembly may be actuated to distance the first floating dock from the second floating dock, and the winch assembly may be energized to orient the first floating dock into a position wherein the marine hydrokinetic turbine is above the first floating dock and wherein the winch assembly may be energized to orient the first floating dock into a position wherein the marine hydrokinetic turbine is below the first floating dock.

A recessed and retractable mooring line device includes a housing having a mooring head that is configured for projecting through an opening or recess of a mounting structure so that an upper surface of the mooring head does not project from an outer surface of the mounting structure. A reel assembly is coupled to the housing and positioned below the mooring head to take up a flexible mooring line. The reel assembly includes a rotatable spool for winding the line. A ratchet wheel and spool that is engaged by a pawl prevents rotation of the ratchet wheel and spool when engaged. A moor head assembly that includes a pawl actuator actuates the pawl. An actuator lock of the moor head assembly engages the pawl actuator to keep it engaged with the pawl. A line anchor is used for securing to an end of the mooring line.

An anchor winch system includes a support arm, an end effector, a guide channel, a winch, a cable and an anchor. The anchor winch system enables a user to deploy an anchor that is stored within the C or Z channels of a pontoon or tritoon boat. The support arm is mounted along the C or Z channel and the end effector is mounted onto an end of the support arm. The end effector is a holding apparatus that retains the anchor in a stowed position when not deployed. The guide channel traverses through the support arm, and the cable is threaded through the guide channel. The winch is tethered to one end of the cable and the anchor is tethered to the opposite end. Thus, the winch is able to deploy or retract the anchor by paying out or reeling in the cable.

An anchor winch system includes a support arm, an end effector, a guide channel, a winch, a cable and an anchor. The anchor winch system enables a user to deploy an anchor that is stored within the C or Z channels of a pontoon or tritoon boat. The support arm is mounted along the C or Z channel and the end effector is mounted onto an end of the support arm. The end effector is a holding apparatus that retains the anchor in a stowed position when not deployed. The guide channel traverses through the support arm, and the cable is threaded through the guide channel. The winch is tethered to one end of the cable and the anchor is tethered to the opposite end. Thus, the winch is able to deploy or retract the anchor by paying out or reeling in the cable.

A nautical cleat is provided for tying a rope of a boat. First and second shafts are installable on a deck via first and second positioning elements, respectively, and further support first and second tying elements, respectively. A transverse body mechanically connects said first and second tying elements. Fastening means securely fasten said first and second positioning elements to said deck. A first roller-shaped towing element tows and rolls up said rope and is rotatable about a first rotation axis defined by said first shaft. A second roller-shaped towing element is rotatable about a second rotation axis defined by said second shaft and substantially parallel to said first rotation axis. An actuating device comprises at least one motor operatively connected to said first and/or second roller-shaped towing element. Connecting means connect the actuating device to said deck, wherein said actuating device is placed in a position underlying said lower surface. A spherical joint, operatively interposed between the first shaft and the transverse body, allows the rotation of the transverse body with respect to said first shaft, around at least one substantially horizontal axis.

A nautical cleat is provided for tying a rope of a boat. First and second shafts are installable on a deck via first and second positioning elements, respectively, and further support first and second tying elements, respectively. A transverse body mechanically connects said first and second tying elements. Fastening means securely fasten said first and second positioning elements to said deck. A first roller-shaped towing element tows and rolls up said rope and is rotatable about a first rotation axis defined by said first shaft. A second roller-shaped towing element is rotatable about a second rotation axis defined by said second shaft and substantially parallel to said first rotation axis. An actuating device comprises at least one motor operatively connected to said first and/or second roller-shaped towing element. Connecting means connect the actuating device to said deck, wherein said actuating device is placed in a position underlying said lower surface. A spherical joint, operatively interposed between the first shaft and the transverse body, allows the rotation of the transverse body with respect to said first shaft, around at least one substantially horizontal axis.

A system for release of mooring loading and unloading lines between a loading and unloading station at sea and a vessel comprises a yoke with mooring tethers, for connection between the yoke and the vessel. A method for quick release comprises disconnecting the lines, connecting them to a winch arrangement; lowering line connectors for parking on a parking structure on the yoke if the swivel is above sea level, or on the sea floor if the swivel is close to the sea floor; lowering the yoke by the winch arrangement after the line connectors are parked on the parking structure if the swivel is above sea level, lowering the yoke with the line connectors if the swivel is close to the sea floor; stopping the winch arrangement when the yoke has landed on the sea floor, and further lowering the mooring tethers on the sea floor by moving the vessel.

A system for release of mooring loading and unloading lines between a loading and unloading station at sea and a vessel comprises a yoke with mooring tethers, for connection between the yoke and the vessel. A method for quick release comprises disconnecting the lines, connecting them to a winch arrangement; lowering line connectors for parking on a parking structure on the yoke if the swivel is above sea level, or on the sea floor if the swivel is close to the sea floor; lowering the yoke by the winch arrangement after the line connectors are parked on the parking structure if the swivel is above sea level, lowering the yoke with the line connectors if the swivel is close to the sea floor; stopping the winch arrangement when the yoke has landed on the sea floor, and further lowering the mooring tethers on the sea floor by moving the vessel.

Methods and apparatus for anchoring a boat are described. Novel methods provide means for 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.