The invention is comprised of a Quick Anchoring Equipment system (30) which permits underwater connection and disconnection of anchoring lines (2) to anchoring devices that are already fixedly attached to the bottom of the sea. The Quick Anchoring Equipment (30) consists of chain cable, cables, hooks and buoys specifically organized and configured, which, are attached at the submerged end of the anchoring line (2), which makes it possible with a single support boat (5), together with a remote operated vehicle (6), to carry out this whole anchoring lines (2) operation fundamental to floating platforms (1). The invention also includes the method to install and uninstall the Quick Anchoring Equipment (30).

A deep water mooring system including a connector element which is nonbuoyant, has connections to a submerged pipeline and which is supported by flotation tanks that are anchored to the bottom, and a device for retrieving the connector element from the water and to connect to a suitable floating surface storage system for flow between the storage system and the submerged pipeline. The retrieval line with a buoy holding its upper end at the surface coacts with the vessel in which the storage system is contained, or to which it is connected, for quick and easy retrieval and connection of the connector element to the vessel. Additionally, the retrieval line buoy may be provided with sufficient buoyancy capacity to provide an additional lift to the connector element and thus aid the flotation tanks in maintaining the connector element when not in use at a preselected depth in the water.

A method and apparatus for replacing an existing looped non-metallic mooring line (20) from a floating anchor handling vessel (10) anchored to the sea floor. The existing looped line (20) extends about a sheave (34) adjacent a subsea anchor means (24) and opposed ends (26) of the looped line (20) are connected to a mounting member (30) on the vessel (10) for securing the ends (26) of the existing mooring line (20). The new replacement line (20A) is attached to an end of the looped existing line (20) and the old existing line (20) is hauled in while the looped replacement line (20A) is payed out from the vessel (10) about the sheave (34) for return to the vessel. The looped replacement line (20A) is disconnected from the old line (20) and the ends of the new replacement line (20A) are secured to a mounting member (30) on the vessel. The existing mooring line (20) is preferably replaced by the anchor handling vessel (10) while a main floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel (12) remains moored to the sea floor by the remaining mooring legs or lines.

A mooring system and method for mooring in deep and ultra deep water which allows conventional shallow water floating platforms and vessels to be moored in deep and ultra deep water using a conventional shallow water mooring system, while maintaining an acceptable watch circle. A plurality of buoys are placed at a specific depth below the ocean surface and are tethered at high tension to the ocean floor such that the buoys remain stationary. A shallow water floating platform or vessel can then be moored to the buoys using a conventional mooring system, being in effect "fooled" into believing that the sea bottom is shallower than it actually is.

A system for the casting of anchors meant for the mooring of floating oil producing and/or drilling platforms, using an anchor laying craft. The general arrangement consists of a deck on the craft with wells for anchors a capstant for dealing with chains, an improved drums for wire rope, and lockers for stowing of chains built into the underside of the deck of the craft. Chains are led by a capstan from such lockers or back to them, along hawse pipes, and drums for winding cables, mounted on a bed. When a platform is being moored, an improved laying device is used which prevents any chain slipping or dropping after each platform chain has been fastened to the line laid beforehand whenever the chain has to be lowered to its place in the sag, and an improved line fisher.