Compliant single net marine barrier

A floating marine barrier comprising:

• a plurality of barrier modules, each barrier module having a first flotation device, a supporting framework attached to the first flotation device, and a plurality of impact net support posts attached to the supporting framework;
• an impact net attached to each of the support posts of each of the barrier modules and extending between the barrier modules along a longitudinal axis of the barrier from a first end of the barrier to a second end of the barrier;
• and
• a first main tension strength element attached to each of the barrier modules and extending between the barrier modules along the longitudinal axis of the barrier from the first end of the barrier to the second end of the barrier to space the barrier modules from each other;
• wherein the impact net has a first elasticity, and the first main tension strength element has a second elasticity which is substantially equal to the first elasticity;
• wherein when the barrier is floating in a body of water and a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the impact net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to at least one of the net support posts and to one or more of the barrier modules, which in turn engages the first main tension strength element and the water to transfer the force of the impact to the main tension strength element and the water to arrest the motion of the vessel;
• wherein at least one of the impact net support posts of each of the barrier modules is a compliant net support post which is flexible along substantially its entire length and attached to the supporting framework;
• and
• wherein the compliant net support post is flexible in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier module, and substantially inflexible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrier module, such that when the moving vessel impacts the impact net, the impact net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to at the least one compliant net support posts and the elastic spring element remains substantially stationary relative to the at least one net support post.

A floating marine barrier comprising:

• a plurality of barrier modules, each barrier module having a first flotation device, a supporting framework attached to the first flotation device, and a plurality of impact net support posts attached to the supporting framework;
• an impact net attached to each of the support posts of each of the barrier modules and extending between the barrier modules along a longitudinal axis of the barrier from a first end of the barrier to a second end of the barrier;
• and
• a first main tension strength element attached to each of the barrier modules and extending between the barrier modules along the longitudinal axis of the barrier from the first end of the barrier to the second end of the barrier to space the barrier modules from each other;
• wherein the impact net has a first elasticity, and the first main tension strength element has a second elasticity which is substantially equal to the first elasticity;
• wherein when the barrier is floating in a body of water and a moving vessel impacts the impact net, the impact net deflects to transfer a force of the impact to at least one of the net support posts and to one or more of the barrier modules, which in turn engages the first main tension strength element and the water to transfer the force of the impact to the main tension strength element and the water to arrest the motion of the vessel;
• wherein each of the barrier modules comprises a second flotation device arranged substantially parallel to the first flotation device and attached to the framework such that the barrier module is substantially rigid along its length;
• wherein the barrier comprises a second main tension strength element having the second elasticity attached to each of the barrier modules, and extending between the barrier modules along the longitudinal axis of the barrier from the first end of the barrier to the second end of the barrier;
• wherein the net support posts and the impact net are centrally disposed above the first and second main tension strength elements;
• wherein the first and second main tension strength elements each comprise a line comprising a polymer or a metal;
• wherein the first and second main tension strength elements are adjustably attachable to the barrier modules such that a distance between adjacent ones of the barrier modules is variable;
• wherein the first and second main tension strength elements each pass through one of the first and second flotation devices of each barrier module;
• and
• wherein each of the first and second flotation device comprises a clamp for rigidly attaching to one of the first and second main tension strength elements and for engaging a retaining pocket of the respective flotation device to attach the one of the main tension strength elements to the barrier module.