A floating barrier system has a plurality of connected floating barrier units. Capture net segments are positioned on the floating barrier units by support post members, forming a barrier to vessel passage. Lanyards attach the ends of the capture net segments to the floating barrier units. Upon a vessel striking the capture net segments with sufficient force, the capture nets detach from the support post members and/or pull the support post members over, and the forces from the vessel are transferred via the lanyards to the floating barrier unit. The vessel is prevented from fully passing over the floating barrier unit, thus itself forming a barrier to passage by other vessels.
A waterbody access barrier system has one or more floating barrier segments, and a first floating gate segment for blocking an opening in the barrier system. The first floating gate segment has a latching system to connect it to a capture gear, which is at a fixed barrier termination point or on a second floating gate segment. One or more thrusters are mounted on at least the first floating gate segment. The latching system, and the thrusters, are autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled by a control system, which receives positional signals, for example from a global positioning system (GPS) and/or a light detection and ranging system (LiDAR) operatively connected to the first floating gate segment, and moves the first floating gate segment accordingly.
A tillable anchor has a number of planar sides, typically four, attached to a base and to one another, forming an enclosed structure with a cavity therein. Attachment points for a deployment line and for mooring lines are provided. After the empty anchor is deployed to the seafloor or other water bottom, an inlet and an outlet permit placement of a flowable weight material into the cavity. The anchor may have an extended skirt around the base to enhance holding capability.
A floating barrier float section, and a waterfront barrier system formed from a number of connected float sections. An elongated main flotation tube has radially outwardly extending fence posts with connecting members, such as nets, between them, forming multiple longitudinal net sections about the circumference of the flotation tube, at least one of the net sections extending upwardly and forming a barrier to vessel passage. A vessel strike tends to rotate the flotation tube about its longitudinal axis, absorbing the energy from the strike and rotating the flotation tube to bring another net section into position. An underwater ballast member and a stabilizer float member may be added for additional resistance to rotation.
A floating barrier system has a plurality of connected floating barrier units. Capture net segments are positioned on the floating barrier units by support post members, forming a barrier to vessel passage. Lanyards attach the ends of the capture net segments to the floating barrier units. Upon a vessel striking the capture net segments with sufficient force, the capture nets detach from the support post members and/or pull the support post members over, and the forces from the vessel are transferred via the lanyards to the floating barrier unit. The vessel is prevented from fully passing over the floating barrier unit, thus itself forming a barrier to passage by other vessels.
A waterbody access barrier system has one or more floating barrier segments, and a first floating gate segment for blocking an opening in the barrier system. The first floating gate segment has a latching system to connect it to a capture gear, which is at a fixed barrier termination point or on a second floating gate segment. One or more thrusters are mounted on at least the first floating gate segment. The latching system, and the thrusters, are autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled by a control system, which receives positional signals, for example from a global positioning system (GPS) and/or a light detection and ranging system (LiDAR) operatively connected to the first floating gate segment, and moves the first floating gate segment accordingly.
A tillable anchor has a number of planar sides, typically four, attached to a base and to one another, forming an enclosed structure with a cavity therein. Attachment points for a deployment line and for mooring lines are provided. After the empty anchor is deployed to the seafloor or other water bottom, an inlet and an outlet permit placement of a flowable weight material into the cavity. The anchor may have an extended skirt around the base to enhance holding capability.
A floating barrier float section, and a waterfront barrier system formed from a number of connected float sections. An elongated main flotation tube has radially outwardly extending fence posts with connecting members, such as nets, between them, forming multiple longitudinal net sections about the circumference of the flotation tube, at least one of the net sections extending upwardly and forming a barrier to vessel passage. A vessel strike tends to rotate the flotation tube about its longitudinal axis, absorbing the energy from the strike and rotating the flotation tube to bring another net section into position. An underwater ballast member and a stabilizer float member may be added for additional resistance to rotation.
A vessel barrier system to prevent vessel movement through a passageway includes a flexible vessel barrier element coupled to one or more energy dissipating units. The vessel barrier element may be a single, typically large diameter element, for example a large diameter, high strength synthetic rope, or alternatively may be a barrier net suspended on a number of floats. The vessel barrier element is coupled by a cable to the energy dissipating unit(s), which may be large weights suspended from a frame. When a vessel contacts and moves the vessel barrier element, placing it in tension, the weights are moved from a first, lower position, to a second, elevated position. The kinetic energy of the vessel is transferred to an increase in the potential energy of the weights, and the vessel is brought to a stop. The system is particularly suitable for Large Displacement Vessels or LDVs.