Patent ID: 7717762

Claim:
A system for mooring a floating vessel ( 152 ) to a sea floor, comprising: a buoy ( 162 ) in fixed position relative to said sea floor, the fixed position of said buoy ( 162 ) maintained by anchor legs ( 164 ) extending between said buoy ( 162 ) and said sea floor; a buoy bearing assembly ( 170 ) having a fixed outer ring ( 203 ) and an inner hub ( 167 ), said fixed outer ring ( 203 ) non-movably attached to said buoy ( 162 ) whereby said outer ring ( 203 ) is fixed to the sea floor with said buoy; said inner hub ( 167 ) revolvably coupled to said fixed outer ring ( 203 ) and configured to freely rotate with respect thereto; and a connector ( 161 ) disposed on said vessel ( 152 ) and arranged and designed to be releasably connectable to said inner hub ( 167 ); whereby connection of said connector ( 161 ) to said inner hub ( 167 ) of said buoy bearing assembly ( 170 ) moors said vessel ( 152 ) to the sea floor while allowing said vessel to freely weathervane.