Abstract: An elongate sling section is disclosed. The elongate sling is cooperable with like sling sections to form a sling for use in abandonment or recovery of a pipeline. The sling section includes end-pieces at five opposite ends and complementary connector formations associated with each respective end-piece. Each connector formation is cooperable, in use when forming a sling, with a complementary connector formation of a neighbouring sling section in the sling. The sling section further includes a tensile load-bearing sling element extending between the end-pieces and a sleeve around the sling element.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for the adaptation of a subsea vehicle, such as an ROV, and in particular a hydraulically powered construction or maintenance work ROV. In one embodiment the vehicle is provided with a module or modules which provide further propulsion means that have reduced noise at high speed in comparison to the vehicle's main propulsion means. The module or modules also optionally provide greater performance and decreased drag. An ROV adapted in such a way is therefore suitable for high speed survey work. In another embodiment a hydraulic ROV is adapted to enable it to be able to directly drive electrically powered tools.

Abstract: A method for pipelaying at sea from a vessel, wherein the length of each pipe string is less than the depth of the sea at the laying site, is described. The method includes attaching a string to a line on the vessel. The string is deployed and suspended by the vessel via the line substantially above the end of the pipeline to which it will be connected. The line is paid out until the lower end of the string is lowered to the end of the string to which it will be connected. With the string in a vertical configuration and the end of the pipeline substantially in its installed configuration, the end of the string is connected to the end of the pipeline. The vessel is moved in the lay direction and the line is paid out until the string is laid into its installed configuration.