Quick disconnect storage production terminal

An offshore terminal is described, of the type which includes a dedicated vessel that supports a transfer structure loosely anchored as by several chains, and a fluid conduit structure that extends from the sea floor through the transfer structure to the vessel, wherein the vessel and transfer structure can be quickly disconnected to avoid potentially damaging surface conditions such as ice flows and hurricanes. The nonrotatable portion of the transfer structure, together with upper portions of the chains and underwater fluid conduit, can be detached from the rest of the transfer structure to sink below the surface, but to a predetermined depth which is considerably above the sea floor, so the vessel and a portion of the transfer structure can be sailed away from the region.