A system for connecting a two buoyant marine body in a side to side
manner, the system comprising first male and female coupling members
fixed to the side of a first and second marine body and Second male and
female coupling members which are fixed to the side of a first and second
marine body. The first male and female coupling members have an opposing
relationship and can be moved from an unengaged condition to a fully
engaged condition by the movement of the first and second floating marine
bodies towards each other in a first horizontal direction. The freedom of
movement between the male coupling and the female coupling members, at
least in the vertical direction, is decreased as they become vertically
aligned. Second male and female coupling members will create a rigid
coupling to prevent relative movement in at least the vertical direction,
as the freedom of movement between the first male and female coupling
members is or is proximate to being vertically aligned. The first male
coupling member is of a resiliently flexible nature and can take any
impact loading between the two bodies. A securing device is included to
attach the buoyant marine bodies together in a horizontal direction.