Marine mooring and electrical connection apparatus and method

A method of electrically recharging a marine vessel, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a marine vessel to a marine environment electrical connection apparatus, the apparatus comprising
• a buoy at least part of which when located in water projects above the surface of the water;
• at least one mooring point to which a marine vessel can be coupled;
• and
• at least one electrical power coupling to which the marine vessel can be coupled,
• such that electrical power can be transferred via the electrical power coupling between a power generation and/or storage device and the marine vessel;
• wherein the mooring point comprises a mooring line, with a first end connected to the buoy and a second end provided with a connector adapted for connection to a vessel mooring line;
• wherein the electrical power coupling comprises a flexible electrical cable, one end of which is secured to the buoy and another end of which comprises one of a plug and socket adapted for electrical connection with one of a respective mating socket and plug on the marine vessel;
• wherein the buoy has a body which is adapted to permit paying of the mooring line and the flexible electrical cable away from and toward a portion of the body;
• wherein the mooring line and the flexible electrical cable pay in and out from the body, such that the buoy apparatus is transformable between:
• a rest configuration in which the respective free ends of the mooring line and the flexible electrical cable are relatively close to the body and are presented in a position that is clear of the water, in use, and
• a deployed configuration in which the respective free ends of the mooring line and the flexible electrical cable are payed out from the body such that the respective free ends are capable of being made fast to the vessel;
• wherein the mooring line and the flexible electrical cable are jointly biased into the rest configuration by a biasing means;
• and
• wherein the biasing means comprises a travelling mass member;
• and
• transferring electrical power via the electrical power coupling between a marine power generation and/or marine storage device and the marine vessel.

A method of connecting a marine vessel to a marine environment connection apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a marine environment connection apparatus comprising:
• a buoy at least part of which when located in water projects above the surface of the water;
• at least one mooring point to which a marine vessel can be coupled;
• surrounding the buoy with a bight of a vessel mooring line provided on the marine vessel;
• pulling in the vessel mooring line such that the vessel mooring line engages with an outer surface of the buoy, from which the vessel mooring line rides up a body of the buoy;
• and
• connecting the vessel mooring line to the said at least one mooring point,
• wherein the vessel mooring line rides up inwardly tapering walls of the body of the buoy;
• and
• wherein the vessel mooring line transitions to a flat upper end of the body of the buoy, guiding the vessel mooring line to the at least one mooring point.