floating

An object is considered floating when it has no foundation, but rather is freely supported on a body of water or other liquid or semi-liquid substance. Floating objects can be temporarily or permanently moored, at which time their foundation system changes.

Buoyancy provides the support while the object remains freely floating. The supporting substance need not be water alone.

Tethering the object to a fixed point gives it the separate mooring support classification. That can be temporary or permanent even though the object remains water-supported.