There is disclosed an apparatus for mooring a structure and/or tensioning a mooring line. The apparatus comprises: a guide portion for guiding a portion of a first mooring line, and a lock arrangement, wherein the apparatus provides a mooring line path, the lock arrangement being provided on an opposite side of the mooring line path from the guide portion, at least when the lock arrangement is in an unlocked configuration. When in a locked configuration at least a portion of the lock arrangement is provided in the mooring path.

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.

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.

A disconnectable mooring system for offshore semi-submersible floating structures. A disconnectable buoy has a number of mooring lines which include a buoy chain between the mooring chain and the buoy. The mooring chain and the buoy chain are connected via a three way mooring connector, with the third connection configured to pull the mooring connector to a mooring point on the structure. In a first configuration the buoy is disconnected and supports the mooring chains for recovery at shallow depths to be pulled in. In a second configuration, the mooring lines are pulled in via the mooring connectors thereby providing a spread mooring to the structure with the buoy chain left as a catenary between the buoy and mooring point.

A disconnectable mooring system for offshore semi-submersible floating structures. A disconnectable buoy has a number of mooring lines which include a buoy chain between the mooring chain and the buoy. The mooring chain and the buoy chain are connected via a three way mooring connector, with the third connection configured to pull the mooring connector to a mooring point on the structure. In a first configuration the buoy is disconnected and supports the mooring chains for recovery at shallow depths to be pulled in. In a second configuration, the mooring lines are pulled in via the mooring connectors thereby providing a spread mooring to the structure with the buoy chain left as a catenary between the buoy and mooring point.

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.

The invention relates to a buoy comprising a buoyant, plastic core component, and a plurality of detachable flotation components that support and surround the core component. The buoy is preferably more than 2.5 metres diameter, but the diameter of the core component is preferably less than or equal to 2.35 metres diameter. This facilitates transport in a single shipping container. A novel tie bar assembly and novel lifting/mooring mounts are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a buoy comprising a buoyant, plastic core component, and a plurality of detachable flotation components that support and surround the core component. The buoy is preferably more than 2.5 metres diameter, but the diameter of the core component is preferably less than or equal to 2.35 metres diameter. This facilitates transport in a single shipping container. A novel tie bar assembly and novel lifting/mooring mounts are also disclosed.

A method of transporting a first vessel having wind turbine components to an offshore installation vessel. The method includes (i) securing the first vessel to a second vessel using a first tow line attached to a front end (or bow) of the first vessel, and (ii) securing the first vessel to a third vessel using a second tow line attached to a back end (or stern) of the first vessel. The method further includes transporting the first vessel to the offshore installation vessel using the second vessel and the third vessel secured to the first vessel via the first and second tow lines, respectively. The method also includes securing the first vessel to the offshore installation vessel. The first vessel can include one or more fender walls. The first vessel can be secured to the offshore installation vessel using one or more mooring lines.

A method of transporting a first vessel having wind turbine components to an offshore installation vessel. The method includes (i) securing the first vessel to a second vessel using a first tow line attached to a front end (or bow) of the first vessel, and (ii) securing the first vessel to a third vessel using a second tow line attached to a back end (or stern) of the first vessel. The method further includes transporting the first vessel to the offshore installation vessel using the second vessel and the third vessel secured to the first vessel via the first and second tow lines, respectively. The method also includes securing the first vessel to the offshore installation vessel. The first vessel can include one or more fender walls. The first vessel can be secured to the offshore installation vessel using one or more mooring lines.