Patent ID: 7179145
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. An autonomous mooring device comprising: an anchor comprising a plurality of mooring arms rotatably coupled to a body of the anchor and biased to extend radially outward upon deployment from a deployment chamber above a sea floor and wherein the autonomous mooring device is separated from the deployment chamber upon deployment; a mooring line module including the at least one mooring line coupling the mooring line module to the anchor; wherein the body of the anchor is coupled in close proximity to the mooring line module such that the plurality of arms may be rotated into a position in which the autonomous mooring device, including the plurality of arms, may be stored in the deployment chamber and upon release from the deployment chamber above the bottom, rotate the mooring arms into a position such that the arms extend radially; a release mechanism in communication with the anchor, wherein the release mechanism is configured to release the anchor from attachment in close proximity to the mooring line module upon contact with a water surface, whereby the anchor remains in contact with the mooring line module via the at least one mooring line; a flexible parachute coupled to the plurality of arms and extending between the arms at least partially circumferentially around the anchor to form a parachute usable to reduce the velocity of the autonomous mooring device after being dropped in air above a water body; and a buoy in communication with the mooring line module.