There is no element of the system that has not
already been deployed in an operating system of one type or another. The
most unique component is the articulating connection detail between the
buoys and the topside (or the “joint”), which has been subjected to US
Coast Guard and Class Society review and approval through the deployment
of the Versabar twin-gantry marine heavy lift vessels the VB-4,000 and
VB-10,000.

The VB-10,000 incorporates two 5,000-ton capacity
joints, similar to the size required for a typical Versabuoy platform.
The joint design has been subjected to over 5 years of operating
service on the VB-4,000 and VB-10,000 vessels. The design includes a
double joint configuration which provides 100% load path redundancy, in
turn allowing the removal, inspection and replacement of any component
of the wear surface while in-service.
example of a fully redundant articulating
connection. The main wear surfaces and support pins within the
connections currently in service on the lift vessels are removed for
inspection on an annual basis. The synthetic bushing material used on
the key wear surfaces has an excellent operating history, with no
replacement yet required, and is a true “plug and play” material,
requiring no maintenance or lubrication during service