Buoyant, elastically tethered articulated marine platform

A marine structure for supporting a load, said marine structure being positioned in a body of water having a floor, and comprising:

• a base mooring element fixed to the floor;
• a positively buoyant column having a base end and an opposite end;
• at least one articulated joint between said column base end and said base mooring element permitting pivotal movement of said column;
• and
• at least one elastic element connected to said column for urging said column towards an equilibrium position and for providing a restoring force following displacements of said column from the equilibrium position, wherein said elastic element extends within an interior space of said column.

A marine structure for supporting a load, said marine structure being positioned in a body of water having a floor, and comprising:

• a base mooring element fixed to the floor;
• a positively buoyant column having a base end and an opposite end;
• at least one articulated joint between said column base end and said base mooring element permitting pivotal movement of said column;
• and
• at least one elastic element connected to said column for urging said column towards an equilibrium position and for providing a restoring force following displacements of said column from the equilibrium position;
• said buoyant column comprises a tubular element having an interior space and having a defined central axis extending within said interior space;
• wherein
• said base mooring element includes
• a surface for supporting the base end of said buoyant column, and
• a base attachment point substantially in alignment with the central axis of said column when said column is in its equilibrium position;
• wherein
• said articulated joint includes an element projecting upwardly from said base mooring element to engage the base end of said buoyant column;
• and wherein
• said elastic element extends within the interior space of said column between a portion of said column spaced from said base end and said base attachment point.