A mooring line connector assembly (1) and a corresponding tensioner (28) are described. The mooring line connector assembly (1) comprises complementary male (2) and female (3) connectors, wherein the male connector (2) is rigid and the female connector (3) is connectable to the male connector (2) at a plurality of points along its length, so as to vary the tension applied to the mooring line. Locking balls engageable with grooves disposed along the length of the male connector (2) can allow the female connector to connect at different points along the male connector. A tensioner (28) allows the tension to be adjusted. The tensioner includes a first part (29) arranged to engage with the male connector (2) and a second part (29) arranged to engage with the female connector (3). The first part (29) reciprocates relative to the second part so as to move the male connector (2) relative to the female connector and thereby change the point at which the female connector is connected to the male connector.

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.

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.

Mooring tensioning arrangement (10) on a vessel (60), comprising a moonpool (20) having a through miming vertical channel with an upper moonpool opening (22) in proximity to a deck (62) of the vessel (60), and a bottom moonpool opening (24) open to surrounding sea (30). A winch (14) is located above the moonpool (20), wherein a first anchor wire pennant (42) runs from the winch (14), over a stern (64) of the vessel (60) and into sea (30), and a second anchor wire pennant (46) runs from the winch (14), through the moonpool (20) and into the sea (30). A wire/chain stopper (18) securing the second anchor wire pennant (46) is placed in the moonpool (20), and the bottom moonpool opening (24) is curved to match bending 0radius and to provide a transition in direction of the second anchor wire pennant (46).

Mooring tensioning arrangement (10) on a vessel (60), comprising a moonpool (20) having a through miming vertical channel with an upper moonpool opening (22) in proximity to a deck (62) of the vessel (60), and a bottom moonpool opening (24) open to surrounding sea (30). A winch (14) is located above the moonpool (20), wherein a first anchor wire pennant (42) runs from the winch (14), over a stern (64) of the vessel (60) and into sea (30), and a second anchor wire pennant (46) runs from the winch (14), through the moonpool (20) and into the sea (30). A wire/chain stopper (18) securing the second anchor wire pennant (46) is placed in the moonpool (20), and the bottom moonpool opening (24) is curved to match bending 0radius and to provide a transition in direction of the second anchor wire pennant (46).

A chain damping and shock absorber system for a chain includes one or more damping devices, each damping device installed to a segment of the chain, such that the chain and the one or more damping devices installed to a chain segment form a damped and compressed chain assembly. In response to a tensile force applied to the chain, the chain segment is extendable to an extended length which is between its compressed length and its full length. Methods of installing the chain damping and shock absorber system are provided.

Disclosed is a chain tensioner for employment on a bottom of a water body, wherein the chain tensioner is configured for adjustment of the length of a tensioning chain that extends between the chain tensioner and a floating offshore facility, wherein the chain tensioner includes a chain lock for engaging and confining a link of the tensioning chain in the chain passage from aside the tensioning chain, and a chain switch device having a chain guide for engaging the tensioning chain in the chain passage from aside the tensioning chain, wherein the chain guide is moveable between a first position in which the chain lock engages a link of the tensioning chain, and a second position in which the tensioning chain passes the chain lock.

A chain mooring windlass may include a frame, a wheel, and an axel extending through the wheel and rotatably coupled to the frame. Drive assemblies may be coupled to the axel via a first stage gear reduction including reduction gears. The axel may be coupled to the wheel via a second stage gear reduction including reduction gears. A movable drive mechanism may include reduction gears, and drive assemblies coupled to the reduction gears. The drive assemblies may drive the reduction gears. A drive gear may be coupled to the reduction gears. The reduction gears may drive the drive gear. The drive gear may be configured to couple to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass to drive the chain wheel. A chain wheel coupler may be configured to selectively couple the movable drive mechanism to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass.

A mooring arrangement for a floating vessel includes a linear anchor winch and an elongate mooring arm. The mooring arm is coupled to a mooring arm bracket via an articulating joint and the arrangement is adapted to receive an anchor chain. The bracket is attached to the vessel at the gunwale of the vessel, so that the bracket at least partially extends above the deck of the vessel. The anchor winch is coupled to or integrated with said bracket.

A mooring arrangement for a floating vessel includes a linear anchor winch and an elongate mooring arm. The mooring arm is coupled to a mooring arm bracket via an articulating joint and the arrangement is adapted to receive an anchor chain. The bracket is attached to the vessel at the gunwale of the vessel, so that the bracket at least partially extends above the deck of the vessel. The anchor winch is coupled to or integrated with said bracket.