A bearing system for a rotating turret mounted on a vessel includes upper radial and axial bearings placed on a stiff bearing support ring. The bearing support ring is isolated from deflections in the vessel's caisson. Through the isolation, the radial and axial bearings are less affected by deflection of the vessel for example due to waves. The bearing support ring is supported vertically by a system of hydraulic cylinders serviced by multiple hydraulic systems for redundancy. The bearing support ring alternatively can be supported by an articulated steel structure.

A fluid swivel that includes a stationary annular structure defining upper and lower annular seal recesses, and a rotatable outer housing operatively connected to the stationary annular structure, the outer housing defining an annular passage that has upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower seals are positioned between the stationary annular structure and the rotatable outer housing and disposed in the upper and lower seal recesses. An inner housing bore is disposed in the stationary annular structure and arranged to provide fluid of pressure P to the annular passage, the fluid exerting a first force (Fv.sub.1) longitudinally inwardly on the outer surface of the outer housing, and a second force (Fv.sub.2) longitudinally outwardly on the upper and lower surfaces of the annular passage, the second force (Fv.sub.2) having a greater magnitude than the first force (Fv.sub.1) so the outer housing deflects outwardly, pushing the upper and lower seals into the upper and lower seal recesses.

A buoy includes a turret coupled to a buoyant body using a bearing assembly; a deckhouse disposed on the buoyant body; and a bearing retainer configured to retain the bearing assembly and to releasably attach to the turret. The buoy may also include a locking mechanism having an inner opening in the turret, an outer opening in the buoyant body, and a locking member configured for insertion through the inner and outer openings. In one embodiment, the inner opening is out of alignment with the outer opening during operation of the buoy. The buoy may further include a detachable cover on the deckhouse, wherein the cover is configured to attach to the bearing retainer.

A mooring buoy for a vessel comprises a floating body arranged to project out of the water. At least one buoy anchoring line is connected between the floating body and sea floor. At least one vessel mooring line is connectable between the mooring buoy and the vessel. At least one moveable electric cable is connected to a power supply and the moveable electric cable has a free end connectable to a switchboard of the vessel when the vessel is tethered to the at least one vessel mooring line. The free end of the at least one moveable electric cable is moveable between a retracted position and a connected position and the tension of the at least one vessel mooring line is greater than the tension in the at least one moveable electric cable when the free end of the at least one moveable electric cable is in the connected position.