Mooring connector

A connector assembly comprising a connector adapted for release under load from a complementary connector;

• and
• a complementary connector;
• the connector comprising:
• at least one locking element for engagement with the complementary connector to lock the complementary connector to the connector;
• a locking member moveable from a fully locked position to a fully unlocked position, the locking member being operative to permit the or each locking element to lock the complementary connector to the connector when in the fully locked position and being operative to allow the or each locking element to release the complementary connector from the connector when in the fully unlocked position,
• wherein the locking member and locking element are arranged such that when the connector is locked to the complementary connector and the locking member is in a partially unlocked position, a load applied to the or each locking element caused by a load urging the connector and the complementary connector apart causes the or each locking element to urge the locking member towards its fully unlocked position, thereby unlocking the complementary connector from the connector, and
• movement means operable to move the locking member from its fully locked position to its partially unlocked position and/or its fully unlocked position,
• wherein the connector further comprises a body, and on moving from the locked position to the unlocked position the locking member moves towards a free end of the connector body.