Abstract: A shallow water anchor system provides an upper arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the upper arm hingedly attached to a hull of the boat whereby the upper arm is adapted to move between a raised position and a lowered position; a lower arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the lower arm hingedly attached to the hull of the boat at a point lower on the boat than the upper arm; a cross beam hingedly attached between the distal end of the upper arm and the distal end of the lower arm; an actuator adapted to move the upper arm between the raised position and the lowered position, the actuator hingedly attached to the hull of the boat at the proximal end of the lower arm and further hingedly attached to the distal end of the upper arm; and a rod affixed to the distal end of the lower arm, wherein the rod is adapted to engage the bottom when the upper arm is in the lowered position.

Abstract: A shallow water anchor system provides a single arm arrangement with a fixed end of the arm mounted to the transom of a boat and the distal end of the arm retaining a rod adapted to be buried into the bottom of a lake, estuary, or other shallow body of water. The fixed end of the arm includes a first sheave and the distal end of the arm includes a second sheave, with a cable under tension between the first and second sheaves. A hydraulic operating mechanism drives a sliding block clamped to the cable. A hydraulic pressure is applied to one side of the other of a hydraulic piston with a cylinder to drive the operating mechanism, the sliding block moves back and forth thereby moving the arm up and down in a rotary motion about a shaft on the fixed end of the arm. In the down position, the rod is embedded into the bottom. In the stowed position, the arm is oriented straight up in a vertical position.

Abstract: A floating terminal for offloading an LNG carrier vessel in the sea. The floating terminal of open frame construction is moored toward its front end with a rotatable mooring arrangement so that the terminal may weathervane in response to environmental forces. Marine thrusters are provided at the aft end of the terminal for swinging the terminal away from and back toward a line defined by the path toward the terminal of an approaching LNG carrier. Offloading equipment and heat exchangers are provided on a deck of the floating structure. When an LNG carrier vessel approaches the terminal, the thrusters swing the floating terminal away from the carrier vessel approach line while a hawser at the front end of the terminal pulls the vessel close to the terminal. The floating terminal swings back toward the carrier vessel in response to operating the marine thrusters in an opposite direction until the carrier vessel and floating terminal are side-by-side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mooring system comprising a hydrocarbon storage and/or processing unit (1) anchored to or resting on the sea bed (2) at an off shore location, and a vessel (13) moored alongside the storage and/or processing unit (1), the storage and/or processing unit (1) comprising a hull and in a front part (26) and in a rear part (25) of the unit at least one support structure (7, 7?) and with another end to a quay member (10, 10?) suspended from the suspension member with one end attached to the support structure (7, 7?) and with another end to a quay member (10, 10?) suspended from the suspension member, the quay member (10, 10?) comprising a shock-absorber contacting the vessel.

Abstract: Improved boat bumper assemblies are provided which include upright, rotatable, synthetic resin rollers rotatably mounted on stationary uprights located adjacent the sides of a boat slip. In one form, the bumper assemblies are mounted either as original equipment or as retrofits directly onto roof-supporting stanchions of a boat mooring structure; alternately, standoff bumper assemblies may be used, having rollers rotatable on uprights and supported by spring-biased, resilient connection structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for mooring a floating vessel in open sea, using a semi submersible floating dock. The apparatus is particularly suitable for tankers carrying liquid natural gas in cryogenic form which can be a dangerous substance to handle and hence offshore terminals are preferred. The apparatus comprises a semi-submersible floating dock (1) for receiving a vessel (10) and a single point mooring system (5), with a rigid arm (3) between the two. The dock (1) is pivotally connected to the arm (3). The single point mooring system (5) comprises a mooring buoy (17) secured to the seabed by a compliant anchoring system such as a number of catenary anchor legs (15). This allows vertical movement of the mooring buoy (17) but constrains the movement to a relatively small column of water.

Abstract: Improved boat bumper assemblies are provided which include upright, rotatable, synthetic resin rollers rotatably mounted on stationary uprights located adjacent the sides of a boat slip. In one form, the bumper assemblies are mounted either as original equipment or as retrofits directly onto roof-supporting stanchions of a boat mooring structure; alternately, standoff bumper assemblies may be used, having rollers rotatable on uprights and supported by spring-biased, resilient connection structures.

Abstract: An offset anchoring system for anchoring objects to a floor of a body of water includes T-shaped anchor members arranged in a cluster. Each anchor member having an elongate first and second beams. The second beam, having longitudinal ends, extends transverse to the first beam. The first beam being disposable in the floor. The system also includes a coupling member to which the anchor members being coupled at respective longitudinal ends such that the substantially T-shaped anchor members are arranged in a cluster with the coupling member being disposed substantially centrally of the anchor members and with the second beams extending substantially radially of the coupling member. When the first beams are driven into the floor and a load is applied to the coupling member, the load is offset from a longitudinal axis of each the first beam thereby increasing the holding power of the anchoring system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the extraction of a submerged rope used to moor a boat. The inventive device comprises a rigid bar (19) having the following elements joined thereto, namely: a rope (18), the lower end of which is solidly connected to a mooring post (21); a water hose (5) which is connected to a water supply (2) at the port and which is used to supply water next to the tip (27) of the rope (18); an inflatable element (20); and an element (24) for limiting the course of the rigid bar upon inflation of the inflatable element (20), in order to maintain the assembly on the water bottom (28) when the inflatable element (20) is deflated and in order to remove the rope (18) and the hose (5) from the water to an adjustable height in relation to the level (4) of the water when the inflatable element (20) is inflated. The rigid bar (19) comprises a telescopic bar and, as such, the length thereof can be adjusted. in addition, the rigid bar, (19) can be raised with a hydraulic arm (41).

Abstract: The present invention provides for an off-shore unitary fish farming apparatus, including: a plurality of floatable fish containers aligned sequentially having attachment means for flexibly connecting the containers to maintain the containers in a predetermined relationship to one another, a dampening means attached to at least one of the containers to reduce current and wave and also deflect any floating debris away from the containers, a fish feed tank for holding, mixing and distribution of fish feed slurry to each of the plurality of fish containers, the fish tank having a securing means for attaching the dampening means to the tank; a feed dispenser for radially dispensing fish feed in the container directly beneath the water surface, anchor means to anchor the apparatus to an aquatic floor, the anchor means allowing radial movement of the tank around an anchor position and a crane mounted on the fish feed tank.

Abstract: A floating terminal for offloading an LNG carrier vessel in the sea. The floating terminal of open frame construction is moored toward its front end with a rotatable mooring arrangement so that the terminal may weathervane in response to environmental forces. Marine thrusters are provided at the aft end of the terminal for swinging the terminal away from and back toward a line defined by the path toward the terminal of an approaching LNG carrier. Offloading equipment and heat exchangers are provided on a deck of the floating structure. When an LNG carrier vessel approaches the terminal, the thrusters swing the floating terminal away from the carrier vessel approach line while a hawser at the front end of the terminal pulls the vessel close to the terminal. The floating terminal swings back toward the carrier vessel in response to operating the marine thrusters in an opposite direction until the carrier vessel and floating terminal are side-by-side.

Abstract: A mooring system (10) is described for mooring a vessel to a floor portion of a body of water. The system (10) comprises a substantially rigid, elongate support member (12) having a connecting point (14) adjacent an upper end to which a vessel can be connected and being coupled adjacent a lower end (16) to an anchor on the floor portion, and a displacement buoy (20) slidably received on the support member (12) such that the displacement buoy (20) is capable of moving up and down the support member (12) with wave movement. The mooring system (10) also includes an elongate resilient member (26) operatively associated with the buoy such that upwards movement of the displacement buoy causes the resilient member to stretch.

Abstract: A floating dock mooring article that is movably connected around a watercraft dock pipe comprises a float operatively connected to a mooring member having a flange generally located at the upper end thereof. A watercraft is moored to the dock, as by a rope, via the mooring article. The mooring member has at least one radially outward set projection having an external diameter and the float has at least one radially inward projection having an internal diameter. The mooring member projection external diameter is greater than the float inward projection internal diameter. The inward projection is capable of engaging the mooring member projection so that the float is set at a predetermined height of said mooring member and/or the float is capable of causing the mooring member to rise.

Abstract: A floating dock mooring article, which slidably fits around a watercraft dock pipe, comprising a flotation device attached to a mooring member and a flange generally located at the upper end thereof. A watercraft is moored to the dock, as by a rope, via the flotation mooring article. When the water level rises as due to a flood, the float will cause the mooring article to raise-up the dock pipe and maintain securement of the watercraft to the dock.

Abstract: Arrangement for mooring, loading and unloading of a vessel, comprising: a stationary inner tower with a lower end fixedly anchored to the seabed, from where the inner tower extends upwards through the sea to an upper end over the sea level, which inner tower at level close to the seabed has through connections for hoses and cables for transfer of load and signals, which hoses and cables are brought further up through the inner tower and out of its upper end; a yoke that in one end is rotatably fastened to the inner tower, wherefrom the yoke extends further outwards to at least one outer ballastable end wherefrom moorings are arranged to keep the vessel anchored, on which vessel devices are provided to connect the vessel with the moorings and said hoses and cables for transfer of load and signals.

Abstract: An offshore oil storage and offtake system is disclosed. The system includes a storage tank attachable to the seabed and adapted to store hydrocarbons. At least one fluid channel is included which has a first end positioned inside of the tank proximal a bottom of the tank and a second end in fluid communication with seawater outside of the tank. The system also includes at least one offload line having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with the tank proximal a top of the tank and a second end adapted to be fluid coupled to the tanker and accessible from a water surface. The system further includes at least one hawser having a first end operatively coupled to the tank and a second end adapted to be accessible from the water surface and attachable to a tanker to anchor the tanker during tanker offtake operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea system for the production of hydrocarbon reserves. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control wellhead bouy that is used in deepwater operations for offshore hydrocarbon production. In a preferred embodiment, a bouy for supporting equipment for use in a remote offshore well or pipeline includes a hull having a diameter:height ratio of at least 3:1, a mooring system for maintaining the hull in a desired location, and an umbilical providing fluid communication between the hull and the well or pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for prevention of clashing between multiple conduits spaced closely together and to methods of installation of multiple conduits at the same time. Various aspects of the invention are provided involving separating the at least two transfer conduits, and allowing relative motion between the at least two transfer conduits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive stabilizer (3) which is installed in the lower part of a tanker used in floating production systems which make use of a mechanism which enables the tanker (1) to rotate about a vertical axis (turret). The stabilizer gives the tanker greater directional stability and makes it possible to install the turret in a more central position along the tanker.

Abstract: An arrangement and pull-in method for fluidly coupling a steel riser to a flowline of a turret on a FSO/FPSO. The riser is pulled into a connector by a pull-in line inside the flowline. A pull-in head is releasable secured inside the upper end of the riser. The pull-in head is released from the riser after the riser is locked into the connector. A flex joint is placed above the connector to provide alignment of the connector to the riser during installation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a passive stabilizer (3) which is installed in the lower part of a tanker used in floating production systems which make use of a mechanism which enables the tanker (1) to rotate about a vertical axis (turret). The stabilizer gives the tanker greater directional stability and makes it possible to install the turret in a more central position along the tanker.

Abstract: A system for floating hydrocarbon production systems such as a FPSO that requires a remote mooring terminal for transferring fluids to shuttle tankers. The system includes a single point mooring buoy, such as a CALM floating on the sea surface. Mooring legs anchor the CALM buoy to the sea floor. A submerged Flowline Termination Buoy (FTB) is supported by tension members from the CALM, but with no direct support from the sea floor. A submerged weight is suspended by the FTB and the CALM buoy. The submerged flowlines from the FSPO are supported by the FTB. Flexible hoses fluidly connect the flowlines to the CALM buoy.

Abstract: The invention consists of a floating production vessel operating on the surface of the sea with two or more risers connected between equipment or wells on the sea floor and the vessel or its equipment at the surface. The risers are rigid, jointed pipe with rugged field proven drill-pipe type connections. The arrangement, spacing, and support of the risers at the vessel and on the sea floor is such that the vessel, riser supports, and upper ends of the risers may be rotated from a neutral heading up to about 90 degrees in either direction without the use of a swivel or turret at the surface or sub-sea, and without damage to the risers or reducing the spacing between the risers unacceptably.

Abstract: A seabed flowline is connected to a substantially conventional tanker serving as a floating storage facility by a system comprising a three-leg mooring and a flexible riser. The mooring comprises anchors connected by anchor risers to a common node, and a mooring pendant extending from the node to the tanker. The flexible riser comprises a flexible rubber hose extending from the seabed to the tanker, and a single rotational coupling. The hose has a top section secured along part of the mooring pendant, and an intermediate section provided with buoyancy and restrained by a tether to maintain it clear of the anchor risers.

Abstract: An uplift spring assembly to compensate for hull deflection at a main bearing of a mooring turret is disclosed. Elastomeric pads are used to react turret uplift because of their properties of large deflections and resistance to cold weather. Tie rods are provided to transmit the uplift loads into the elastomeric pads. The elastomeric pads react the uplift loads in compression. The assembly arrangement prevents the elastomeric pads from reacting tension loads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring against explosion of the gaseous atmosphere of a closed chamber, such as the QDCD room of an internal turret of an offshore production and offloading buoy wherein the closed chamber has production risers and conduit connectors that represent a potential source of flammable gas. The method comprises mixing and diluting the oxidant content of the air by introducing within the closed chamber a sufficient quantity of inert gas to render the mixture of the air and any flammable gas non-combustible regardless of the flammable gas content of the mixture. The method includes removal of the non-combustible mixture of air and any flammable gas from the closed chamber by purging thereof to the natural atmosphere, while introducing inert gas, thereby leaving a substantially inert atmosphere within the closed chamber.

Abstract: A ship type floating oil production system for access to subsea wells through installation of surface wellheads on a ship type surface vessel on the sea comprises a cylindrical turret moored to a seabed is located within a moon pool formed in the ship type surface vessel such that the ship type surface vessel is freely rotatable about the cylindrical turret. A plurality of riser pipes have a rigid structure and extend downward to subsea wells through the cylindrical turret, and each riser pipe is provided at its top portion with a surface wellhead including valves of the riser pipe. Accordingly, workover operations can be facilitated as needed by running workover tools through the surface wellhead of the corresponding riser pipe through use of a work-over-rig installed on the ship type surface vessel.