Buoyant rope

A buoyant rope assembly comprising a central rope defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of longitudinally spaced flotation elements disposed around said rope and extending longitudinally along the rope, and buffer elements disposed between the flotation elements, the buffer elements being more compliant than the flotation elements.

A buoyant rope assembly comprising a central rope defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of longitudinally spaced flotation elements disposed around said rope and extending longitudinally along the rope, spacer elements disposed between the flotation elements, and an outer protective layer surrounding the flotation and spacer elements.

A buoyant rope assembly comprising a central rope defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of longitudinally spaded flotation elements disposed around said rope and extending longitudinally along the rope, buffer elements disposed between the flotation elements, the buffer elements being flush with the flotation elements, and an outer protective layer surrounding the buffer and flotation elements to provide a continuous flotation covering for the central rope.

A method of making a buoyant rope having a longitudinally axis, comprising the steps of spacing a plurality of closed cell foam flotation elements along the central rope at longitudinally spaced position, and placing elements of open cell foam between the flotation elements.

A method of making a buoyant rope assembly, comprising the steps of wrapping layers of closed cell foam at spaced apart locations along the length of a central rope, and wrapping open cell foam in the spaces between the closed cell foam.