other applications including squnch connectors handling tools etc a mooring receptacle 11 is located on the sea floor 13 a bottom connector 17 has a tubular member 18 e g a tendon or riser extending therefrom to a platform at a sea surface not shown alternatively the bottom connector 17 may comprise a squnch connector a handling tool etc the bottom connector 17 is secured to an interior groove profile 15 in the receptacle 11 with a lock device 19 e g lock ring lock dogs etc that is horizontally movable relative to the groove profile 15 the lock device 19 may be biased radially outward into engagement with the groove profile 15 or it may be neutrally biased or biased radially inward in the embodiment shown the bottom connector 17 may be connected to and disconnected from the receptacle 11 strictly via vertical motion in this way the bottom connector 17 locks into the receptacle 11 by being lowered into the receptacle for a limited distance past a locked position but not enough to engage an unlocked position and then raised back up to the locked position the bottom connector 17 is unlocked from the receptacle 11 by being lowered beyond the locked position to the unlocked position after which the bottom connector 17 may be removed from the receptacle 11 by upward vertical motion an optional sleeve e.