Mooring system and processes for using same

A process for mooring a vessel floating on a surface of a body water to a mooring system, comprising:

• positioning the vessel near the mooring system, wherein the mooring system comprises:
• a base structure secured to a seabed;
• a yoke comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the yoke is connected to the base structure such that the yoke is pivotable about an axis of the base structure;
• a weight connected to the yoke;
• a turntable comprising a rotating part and a fixed part, wherein the rotating part is disposed on the vessel;
• a link arm comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the link arm is connected to the second end of the yoke, the weight, or both the second end of the yoke and the weight,
• a releasable connector comprising a first component connected to the fixed part of the turntable and a second component connected to the second end of the link arm;
• a lifting device disposed on the vessel;
• and
• a lifting line having a first end connected to the second component of the connector;
• connecting a second end of the lifting line to the lifting device;
• hauling in the lifting line with the lifting device to lift the link arm, the yoke, and the weight to move the second component of the releasable connector into an engagement position with respect to the first component of the releasable connector;
• and
• connecting the first component of the releasable connector to the second component of the releasable connector to secure the vessel to the mooring system.

A process for unmooring a vessel floating on a surface of a body of water from a mooring system, comprising:

• disconnecting a first component from a second component of a releasable connector,
• wherein the mooring system comprises:
• a base structure secured to a seabed,
• a yoke comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the yoke is connected to the base structure such that the yoke is pivotable about an axis of the base structure,
• a weight connected to the yoke,
• a turntable comprising a rotating part and a fixed part, wherein the rotating part is disposed on the vessel,
• a link arm comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the link arm is connected to the second end of the yoke, the weight, or both the second end of the yoke and the weight,
• the first component of the releasable connector is connected to the fixed part of the turntable and the second component of the releasable connector is connected to the second end of the link arm;
• a lifting device disposed on the vessel;
• and
• a lifting line having a first end connected to the second component of the connector and a second end connected to the lifting device;
• lowering the link arm, the yoke, and the weight toward the seabed with the lifting line and the lifting device;
• disconnecting the second end of the lifting line from the lifting device;
• and
• maneuvering the vessel away from the mooring system.