Marine barrier gate

Abstract

A marine barrier gate includes a pleated row of buoyant panels movable between an expanded position where the panels have an angle therebetween, and a retracted position where the panels are substantially parallel. A first buoy is attached to a first end of the panel row, and a second buoy is remote from the panels when the panels are in the retracted position. The second buoy has a tow winch and cable attached to a second end opposite the first end, for moving the panels from the retracted position to the expanded position. The first buoy comprises a catenary winch and cable movably engagable with the panels and attached to the second buoy. When the panels are in the retracted position, the catenary winch sets a length or tension of the catenary cable such that it absorbs catenary loads on the barrier when the panels are moved to the expanded position by the tow winch.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a buoyant, variable length marine barrier gate, wherein when the barrier gate is floating in a body of water, the barrier gate is movable from an expanded position where the barrier gate extends from a substantially stationary first attachment point to a substantially stationary second attachment point, to a retracted position where the barrier gate extends from the first attachment point to a location between the first and second attachment points;   attaching a proximal end of the barrier gate to the first attachment point;   extending a catenary cable, attached to the first attachment point and movably engagable with the barrier gate, from the first attachment point to the second attachment point;   attaching the catenary cable to the second attachment point;   tensioning the catenary cable when the barrier gate is in the refracted position, such that the catenary cable absorbs catenary loads on the barrier gate when the barrier gate is moved from the retracted position to the expanded position; and   moving the barrier gate from the retracted position to the expanded position after the catenary cable has been tensioned.   
     
     
         2 - 22 . (canceled)