Modular structure for protecting an offshore vessel in a body of water from forces of ice features comprising a protective harbor wall, a flotation support, a pile, and a telescoping connection. The telescoping connection is operatively coupled to the protective harbor wall and the flotation support and constructed and arranged to axially move the protective harbor wall between a retracted position and a raised position. The protective harbor wall is constructed and arranged to enclose a harbor space and to counteract the forces of ice features. The flotation support supports the protective harbor wall and is constructed and arranged to change net buoyancy of the modular protective structure to submerge the structure such that the flotation support is positioned on a seabed. The pile is constructed and arranged to be partially disposed in the seabed to maintain the position of the flotation support on the seabed.

Modular structure for protecting an offshore vessel in a body of water from forces of ice features in the body of water is described. The modular protective structure comprising a protective harbor wall constructed and arranged to enclose a harbor space and to counteract the forces of ice features in the body of water. The modular protective structure also comprising a flotation support supporting the protective harbor wall. The flotation support having a capacity to position the modular protective structure at a raised position where the flotation support maintains at least a portion of the protective harbor wall above the water surface such that a harbor is established and the offshore vessel is protected from the forces of ice features in the body of water. Methods which utilize such a modular protective harbor structure are also described.

A watercraft with a rigid outer hull having a substantially circular shape in plan view and a rounded bottom surface for contacting a body of liquid, and a rigid top surface disposed opposite said bottom surface and integrally formed with the outer hull, the top surface having an annular stability portion with convex walls in cross-section and a recessed flat-bottomed deck portion adapted to receive a person, and an edge of the recessed deck portion being disposed inwardly from an outermost edge of the top portion by a distance, and a method for using same.

A stabilizer that extends from the hull of a watercraft below the waterline when needed is disclosed. The stabilizer produces added drag on the watercraft's counteracting a tendency to change bearing. Stabilization chambers of the stabilizer hold semi contained water to produce an extended drag effect by adding lateral weight due to the water that is semi contained within the chamber during use. The restricted flow of water into and out of the stabilizer and the outer dimensions of the stabilizer provides lateral drag to mute any ambient drift.

A method for operating floating vessel wherein the floating vessel comprises a hull having: a bottom surface, a top deck surface, at least two connected sections engaging between the bottom surface and the top deck surface, and at least one fin extending from the hull with an upper fin surface sloping towards the bottom surface and secured to and extending from the hull, the at least one fin configured to provide hydrodynamic performance. The at least two connected sections extend downwardly from the top deck surface toward the bottom surface. The at least two connected sections contain at least two of: an upper portion in section view with a sloping side extending from the top deck section, a cylindrical neck section in profile view, and a lower conical section in profile view with a sloping side extending from the cylindrical neck section.

A method for operating floating vessel wherein the floating vessel comprises a hull having: a bottom surface, a top deck surface, at least two connected sections engaging between the bottom surface and the top deck surface, and at least one fin extending from the hull with an upper fin surface sloping towards the bottom surface and secured to and extending from the hull, the at least one fin configured to provide hydrodynamic performance. The at least two connected sections extend downwardly from the top deck surface toward the bottom surface. The at least two connected sections contain at least two of: an upper portion in section view with a sloping side extending from the top deck section, a cylindrical neck section in profile view, and a lower conical section in profile view with a sloping side extending from the cylindrical neck section.

A method for offshore floating petroleum production, storage and offloading comprising receiving hydrocarbons from at least one of an FPSO, production risers, or wellhead on the seabed by a floating hull; processing received hydrocarbons forming hydrocarbon product in the floating hull; storing the hydrocarbon product in the floating hull; and offloading the stored hydrocarbon product. The floating hull contains a hull plan view that is circular and wherein the floating hull has a bottom surface, a top deck surface, at least three connected sections, joined in series and symmetrically configured about a vertical axis with the connected sections extending downwardly from the top deck surface toward the bottom surface. The at least three connected sections contain an upper cylindrical portion, a lower conical section, a cylindrical neck section, and a set of fins secured to the hull configured to provide hydrodynamic performance through linear and quadratic damping.

A watercraft with a rigid outer hull having a substantially circular shape in plan view and a rounded bottom surface for contacting a body of liquid, and a rigid top surface disposed opposite said bottom surface and integrally formed with the outer hull, the top surface having an annular stability portion with convex walls in cross-section and a recessed flat-bottomed deck portion adapted to receive a person, and an edge of the recessed deck portion being disposed inwardly from an outermost edge of the top portion by a distance, and a method for using same.

A watercraft with a rigid outer hull having a substantially circular shape in plan view and a rounded bottom surface for contacting a body of liquid, and a rigid top surface disposed opposite said bottom surface and integrally formed with the outer hull, the top surface having an annular stability portion with convex walls in cross -section and a recessed flat-bottomed deck portion adapted to receive a person, and an edge of the recessed deck portion being disposed inwardly from an outermost edge of the top portion by a distance, and a method for using same.

A stabilizer that extends from the hull of a watercraft below the waterline when needed is disclosed. The stabilizer produces added drag on the watercraft's counteracting a tendency to change bearing. Stabilization chambers of the stabilizer hold semi contained water to produce an extended drag effect by adding lateral weight due to the water that is semi contained within the chamber during use. The restricted flow of water into and out of the stabilizer and the outer dimensions of the stabilizer provides lateral drag to mute any ambient drift.