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.

A detangling device for severing a mooring line is disclosed. The device includes a line cutting assembly, which includes an ignition device, a propellant chamber, a moveable shuttle-knife assembly and a knife. The device further includes a pressure sensor, and a control system configured to monitor the pressure sensor and actuate the line cutting assembly when the monitored pressure sensor indicates a threshold depth is exceeded. The device can be a one-use device, wherein the knife breaks through a water-sealed housing to sever a mooring line when actuated.

Mooring support structures, systems for mooring vessels, and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure than can include a post connected at a first end to a turntable disposed on a base structure. The post can extend out from the turntable and a yoke head connector can be connected to a second end of the post. A distal end of the yoke head connector can provide a disconnection location such that when a yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector, the yoke head can fall by gravity from the yoke head connector without contacting the mooring support structure.

A release mechanism for separating sections of mooring lines has a main body with two separable first and second halves or sections. A hydraulic assembly within the main body is controlled by an acoustic system, and moves a rod and button so as to move locking shoes within the main body. The locking shoes hold the first and second sections locked together, or alternatively release them to disconnect the mooring line. In addition to the acoustically controlled hydraulic assembly, the release mechanism has a mechanical disconnect, which is operated by pulling the release mechanism into a chain fairlead or the like, or by pulling an encircling member such as a trigger sleeve into the release mechanism. The release mechanism may include instrumentation to transmit various operating conditions of the release mechanism when in use.

A connector adapted for release under load from a complementary connector. The connector having a locking element for engagement with the complementary connector to lock the complementary connector to the connector; and a locking member moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position. The locking member operative to permit the/each locking element to lock the complementary connector to the connector when in the locked position and operative to allow the/each locking element to release the complementary connector when in the unlocked position. The locking member and locking element arranged such that when the connector is locked to the complementary connector and the locking member is in a partially unlocked position, a load applied to the/each locking element causes the/each locking element to urge the locking member towards its fully unlocked position, thereby unlocking the complementary connector from the connector.

A mooring ball system comprising: a mooring ball; a collar attached to the top of the mooring ball; an extendible, retractable, and lockable mast attached to the collar, and extending from the top of the mooring ball; a hook attached near or at the top of the mast; a chain attached to the mooring ball; a mooring line attached to the chain; a loop located at one end of the mooring line; and where the loop is configured to removeably attach to the hook, and where the loop is further configured to be removed from the hook and attached to a watercraft. A mooring apparatus comprising: a collar configured to attach to the top of a mooring ball; an extendible, retractable, and lockable mast configured to attach to the collar, and configured to extend from the top of the mooring ball; and a hook attached near or at the top of the mast.

A boat mooring assembly for mooring a boat to a dock includes a rod that comprises a plurality of nested sections so that the rod is selectively extensible. A pair of couplers is coupled singly to a first end and a second end of the rod. The couplers are configured to couple singly to a boat cleat and selectively to one of a dock cleat and a dock post to couple the boat to the dock.

The present invention provides an improved device for attaching a watercraft to another structure such as another watercraft or a fixed structure, such as a dock. The apparatus comprises a spacing bar and specialized, quick connecting and releasing attachment devices that allow the watercraft to be quickly and effectively moored to other structures on the water without the risk of collision or damage to the watercraft. The quick-connect devices may be positioned near ends of the spacing bars to effectively hold the watercraft at a predetermined distance from the other structure. The device may further include tensioning mechanisms that are operable to keep the spacing bars at a substantially orthogonal orientation relative to the watercraft to maintain the pre-determined spacing between the watercraft and the other structure.

A pressure-release clamping assembly for an anchor assembly that includes clamping body defining a lower opening, having a pin coupled thereto and configured to restrict ambient access to the lower opening, defining an upper opening, having a clamping member translatably coupled to the clamping body, and having a pressure-release latch configured to lockedly couple with the clamping member and with a latch spring operably configured to bias the pressure-release latch toward the clamping member. The clamping member is operably configured to rotate and have a locked and an upper opening enclosing position with the clamping member retained in the locked position with the pressure-release latch, wherein the clamping member is configured to disengage with the pressure-release latch upon receiving at least a 100 lbf oriented with a longitudinal axis of the pressure-release latch and a released position with the clamping member at least partially removed from the clamping body.