Disclosed 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 is movable relative to the hull 11 to an operation position, at which the line guide mechanism 100 is for guiding movement of a portion of a line 13 of the tugboat 1 towards a predetermined region R of the perimeter P.

Disclosed is a line handling system 10 for a tugboat 1. The line handling system 10 comprises an actuatable coupling mechanism 200 for coupling together a line 13 of the tugboat 1 and a line 20 of the marine vessel 2 by applying a connector 210 to the lines 13, 20 when actuated.

Described herein are mooring systems for floating structures and methods for manufacturing and installing such mooring systems. The mooring system may comprise a line having a first end operatively connected to the floating structure and a second end operatively connected to an anchor underwater or to a seabed, wherein the line comprises at least two substantially rigid links joined together; and a watertight sheath surrounding the line and extending at least along a length of the line from a position below the waterline to a position above the waterline.

Described herein are mooring systems for floating structures and methods for manufacturing and installing such mooring systems. The mooring system may comprise a line having a first end operatively connected to the floating structure and a second end operatively connected to an anchor underwater or to a seabed, wherein the line comprises at least two substantially rigid links joined together; and a watertight sheath surrounding the line and extending at least along a length of the line from a position below the waterline to a position above the waterline.

A mooring connector assembly (3) has a body (10) arranged to be pivotally mounted to a structure (1), such as a tethered buoy, to be moored for movement about a pivot axis. At least a part of the body extends below the pivot axis when so mounted and oriented for use. A line stopper (17) is mounted to the part of the body which extends below the pivot axis in use and is operative to retain a mooring line (2) relative to the body. The body is configured to receive a tensioner (20) for tensioning a mooring line (2) retained by the stopper such that the tensioner urges the line at a point which is below the pivot axis when the body is oriented for use. The body may be an elongate tube (10) pivotally connected to a structure to be moored (1) at one end and fitting with a chain stopper (17) at the opposite end. The tube is configured to receive a chain tensioner (20) between the chain stopper (17) and pivot axis.

A mooring connector assembly (3) has a body (10) arranged to be pivotally mounted to a structure (1), such as a tethered buoy, to be moored for movement about a pivot axis. At least a part of the body extends below the pivot axis when so mounted and oriented for use. A line stopper (17) is mounted to the part of the body which extends below the pivot axis in use and is operative to retain a mooring line (2) relative to the body. The body is configured to receive a tensioner (20) for tensioning a mooring line (2) retained by the stopper such that the tensioner urges the line at a point which is below the pivot axis when the body is oriented for use. The body may be an elongate tube (10) pivotally connected to a structure to be moored (1) at one end and fitting with a chain stopper (17) at the opposite end. The tube is configured to receive a chain tensioner (20) between the chain stopper (17) and pivot axis.

A rope clasp device for securing a rope eliminates the need for a knot in a rope by selectively clasping and encasing at least one portion of a rope in a toothed clamp. The rope clasp device comprises a base, at least one, but generally two swinging doors, and a lock. The swinging doors are pivotably coupled to the base in order to be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, a pair of channels for passage of a rope is defined between the base and the doors. The channels are defined by a plurality of clasping teeth to retain the rope therein.

A rope clasp device for securing a rope eliminates the need for a knot in a rope by selectively clasping and encasing at least one portion of a rope in a toothed clamp. The rope clasp device comprises a base, at least one, but generally two swinging doors, and a lock. The swinging doors are pivotably coupled to the base in order to be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, a pair of channels for passage of a rope is defined between the base and the doors. The channels are defined by a plurality of clasping teeth to retain the rope therein.

Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems, and methods, for attaching autonomous seismic nodes directly to a deployment cable. The nodes may be attached to the deployment cable by a removable fastener or insert. The fastener may be a staple that surrounds the cable and rigidly couples to the node to securely fasten the cable to the node. The fastener may be secured into the node itself, a housing or enclosure surrounding the node, or into a receiver or mechanism attached to the node. Other fasteners besides a staple may include bands, wires, pins, straps, ties, clamps, and other similar devices that may be inserted around a portion of the deployment line and be removably coupled to the node. After retrieval of the node, the fastener may be removed and discarded.

Embodiments, including apparatuses, systems, and methods, for attaching autonomous seismic nodes directly to a deployment cable. The nodes may be attached to the deployment cable by a removable fastener or insert. The fastener may be a staple that surrounds the cable and rigidly couples to the node to securely fasten the cable to the node. The fastener may be secured into the node itself, a housing or enclosure surrounding the node, or into a receiver or mechanism attached to the node. Other fasteners besides a staple may include bands, wires, pins, straps, ties, clamps, and other similar devices that may be inserted around a portion of the deployment line and be removably coupled to the node. After retrieval of the node, the fastener may be removed and discarded.