Abstract: Mooring apparatus and method of use thereof, for marine vessels, comprising a subsea anchor (12) such as a suction pile (14A), and including a swivel (16) to which at least one mooring line (24) is connected, the other end of the mooring line being adapted for connection to the bow mooring apparatus of a marine vessel (22) such as a conventional tanker. The mooring line (24) includes a load cell for measuring tension applied to the line by reverse thrust of the vessel. Signals from the load cell are transmitted from the bow of the vessel to the bridge (40), enabling manual, automatic or semi-automatic control of the applied tension. In use, the mooring line is maintained under tension such that the vessel may weathervane around the swivel.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing a vessel (24) such as a tanker to a moored body (12) that is moored to the sea floor, which enables the vessel to remain secured in more severe weather. In addition to the deployed length (27) of securing line (26) that extends between the moored body and the vessel, applicant stores an additional length (28) of securing line. When large drift forces are applied to the vessel, the vessel is allowed to drift away from the moored body, while a braking apparatus (34) pays out the previously-stored length of securing line, while resisting such pay out by maintaining a high securing line tension such as 300 tons. When the drift force decreases to a predetermined low level such as 60 tons, the braking apparatus draws in the securing line to draw back the vessel towards its quiescent position.

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. 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: A bearing support structure is disclosed for a turret (10A) mounted for rotation within a well (50A) of a moored vessel. The bearing support structure has a turret bearing assembly (900A) which may tilt about a tilting axis (783A, FIG. 3) relative to a lower bearing support structure (764A) mounted on the vessel. The turret bearing assembly (760A) has a retainer ring (794A) below a peripheral slot (782A) in a turret ring (102A); a segmented key (596A) fits in slot (782A). The retainer ring (794A) is supported on an annular abutment (780A) on turret ring (102A). A filler material (781A) is provided in an annular space or clearance between turret ring (102A) and retainer ring (794A) to tighten the joint therebetween. A construction method is also disclosed for first placing a mooring turret in the well of the vessel and later installing a bearing assembly between the vessel and the turret by lowering it over the top of the turret.

Abstract: A taut leg bow mooring system includes an anchor positionable on the floor of the sea. A riser line is normally secured to and extends upwardly from the anchor, and a submerged buoy is secured to the end of the riser line remote from the anchor. A line extends upwardly from the submerged buoy to a surface buoy. A mooring line is pivotally connected in the line extending from the submerged buoy to the surface buoy.

Abstract: A mooring system comprises a sheave (12) adapted to be mounted to a base (11) which is located on the sea bed. In one embodiment, a cable (13) received in the sheave (12) is connected at one end to a first buoyant member (15) and is connected at its other end to a second buoyant member (23). The buoyancy of the second buoyant member (23) is less than that of the first buoyant member (15). Mooring energy caused by movement of a vessel moored to the second buoyant member is absorbed by the combination of a resistance to movement of the second buoyant member (23) as it is pulled away from a vertical position adjacent the cable (13) and the buoyancy of the first buoyant member (15) as it is pulled downwards by the cable (13) towards the sheave (12).

Abstract: A taut leg bow mooring system (40) includes an anchor (42) positionable on the floor of the sea. A riser line (44) secured to and extending upwardly from the anchor, and a submerged buoy (46) secured to the end of the riser line from the anchor. The ratio of the net buoyancy of the surface buoy to the buoyancy of the submerged buoy is at least 2 to 1. A buoyant connector line (50) is secured to and extends upwardly from the submerged buoy. A surface buoy (52) is secured to the end of the connector line remote from the submerged buoy, and a hawser (56) is secured to and extends from the surface buoy.

Abstract: A sea anchor may be lifted from the sea bottom by remotely inflating an inflatable float connected to the anchor. The inflated float provides a buoyant lift force that automatically lifts the anchor to the water surface or assists a person in lifting the anchor to the surface. The anchor may be lowered to the sea bottom by venting air out of the float from a remote point on the water surface.

Abstract: A system for mooring oil transport, production, and drilling vessels in sea ice in the Arctic. The mooring system combines a submerged buoyant element structurally connected, for vertical movement, to an anchor structure on the seabed, and is designed to anchor a vessel equipped with a mooring system including a device for evacuating seawater from the mooring area between the hull of the vessel and the mooring element. The system can also be used without a vertically slidable mooring element, so that the vessel is directly fixed to the anchor structure using the device for evacuating seawater.

Abstract: A mooring buoy comprising a body with buoyancy, which body is rotatable with respect to a turntable. Elements are provided for connecting the buoy to catenary anchor lines with a seabed as well as a rigid arm for the connection to a vessel or the like floating unit. The buoyant body is an assembly of spaced apart interconnected vertical columns, resulting in a decreased sensibility for vertical motions of waves.

Abstract: The Floating Terminal is designed to facilitate transshipment of cargo between large (deepwater) ships and small shallow water (shuttle) ships.The main innovations are in the mooring and fendering systems which are attached to the Floating Terminal hull and provide to it the capability of berthing ships in stormy weather and without assistance from tugs.The Gravity type Breasting Dolphins, which are the core of the new fendering system, have several times more energy absorption capacity and also several times larger deflection, under equal force, that any existing floating dolphin. During severe weather conditions the floating pontoons of the Floating Breasting Dolphins can be lowered on a certain depth below sea level or can be lifted to level of the Floating Terminal main deck. The use of the Gravity type Breasting Dolphin is also seen for the fixed terminals in the not protected and in the protected harbors as well.

Abstract: A method and a system for connecting a submerged loading/unloading buoy to a submerged receiving space in a floating vessel for transfer of oil to or from the vessel. The buoy is anchored to the sea bed and is connected to a transfer line for carrying the oil. A sink line, having an auxiliary buoy attached to its end, is lowered from the vessel through the receiving space, with the auxiliary buoy coming to the water surface. A suitably marked pick-up line connected to the loading/unloading buoy, is taken up and connected to the sink line. The vessel is then positioned above the submerged loading/unloading buoy and the sink and pick-up lines are pulled up through the receiving space, so that the loading/unloading buoy is hoisted up and moved to a locking position in the receiving space. The vessel is provided with a hoist to lift the lines and the loading/unloading buoy, and also with a service shaft connecting the receiving space to the deck of the vessel.

Abstract: An anchor drift warning system includes an anchor indicating buoy and a reference buoy. Each buoy includes a floating housing, a light, a battery, solar powered battery recharger, and a spool. Radio signaling apparatus may be included to provide alarm indication aboard the vessel. A line retractably held in the spool of the indicating buoy is attached to the main anchor of the vessel. A line retractably held in the spool of the reference buoy is attached to its own anchor or to a weight. Both buoys are stowed proximate the anchor, and discharged into the water when the vessel main anchor is deployed. The reference buoy is substantially immobile upon deployment. The indicating buoy will move with the anchor, if the anchor has failed to be immobilized by solid engagement with the water bottom. Visual indication of this condition is provided by increasing distance between the indicating buoy and the reference buoy.

Abstract: A subsea conduit structure comprising a buoyant column and a conduit which is supported by the buoyant column. The buoyant column is connected to the seabed through an articulation provided near the seabed. The conduit comprises an upper catenary extending from the upper part of the buoyant column to a floating unit. The conduit also comprises a lower catenary extending from the buoyant column to a seabed connection in horizontal direction from the articulation of the buoyant column.

Abstract: A vessel with a mooring recess on the bottom of the hull moors to a submerged buoyant mooring element anchored to the ocean bottom by hoisting the mooring element from a stowed position at a depth of net neutral buoyancy of the mooring element and its anchoring system into contact with the mooring recess. The mooring operation is completed safely, quickly, and positively by rapidly withdrawing seawater into the hull through an opening in the mooring recess so as to reduce the hydrostatic pressure acting on the top of the mooring element as the element comes into contact with the hull of the vessel. The pressure reduction is sufficient to shift the mooring element and its anchoring system from a net negative to a net positive buoyancy condition at the keel depth of the vessel. The seawater may be withdrawn by a high capacity pump that is either specifically installed for this purpose or is part of a bow thruster system of a type commonly found on large vessels.

Abstract: An improved detachable mooring system (1) is disclosed of the kind including a rotatable turret (10) mounted on the vessel (5) and a buoyant spider buoy (20), secured by chains (22)to the sea floor, which may be selectively connected by means of a hydraulic connector (209) to the bottom of the turret (10). One improvement relates to providing a roller bearing (598) between an upper part of the turret and an interior ring (56) of a well (50) of the vessel (50) at a level higher than sea water can reach under fully loaded conditions of the vessel. Such improvement provides an elastomeric pad (584) between the bearing (598) and a support ring (56) to reduce moment loads and to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of interface surfaces of the bearing (580, 586) and the support ring (56). Alternatively one or more spring stacks (791, 793) may be used rather than an elastomeric pad.

Abstract: A vessel with a downward-facing mooring part moors to a submerged buoyant mooring element anchored to the ocean bottom by hoisting the mooring element from a stowed position, at a depth of net neutral buoyancy of the mooring element and its anchoring system, until a mating upper part of the mooring element comes into contact with the mooring part. The mooring operation is completed safely, quickly, and positively by securing the mooring element to the vessel with a multiplicity of hooks that are lowered by actuators mounted in the vessel to engage a mooring ring on the upper part of the mooring element and are then raised to exert a predetermined compression force on a resilient compression member.

Abstract: An improved ice penetrating arctic buoy for release from a submarine submerged under a layer of ice includes a Global Positioning System navigational processor receiver and/or a Emergency Position Information Radio Beacon and/or surveillance apparatus, an antenna for transmission and/or reception of appropriate RF frequencies, such as Global Positioning System or other R.F. frequencies found in the environment above the ice or EPIRB R.F. frequencies originating in the buoy into the environment above the ice. Convertor means converts navigational information and/or other information outputted from said Global Positioning System receiver into coded corresponding information and an on board transmitter sends such coded information acoustically or optically and/or electrically to the submarine via an underwater data link.

Abstract: An improved detachable mooring system is disclosed of the kind including a rotatable turret mounted on the vessel and a buoyant spider buoy, secured by mooring legs to the sea floor, which may be selectively connected by means of a hydraulic connector to the bottom of the turret. One improvement relates to apparatus for establishing pre-load tension between a collet flange hub of the spider buoy and a hydraulic powered connector at the bottom of the turret. Another improvement relates to apparatus for remotely sensing the level of pre-load tension in the connector. Another improvement relates to a self-aligning support arrangement for supporting the collet connector to the bottom of the turret. Another improvement relates to an axial load bearing arrangement for supporting the turret with respect to the vessel.

Abstract: An improved detachable mooring system (1) is disclosed of the kind including a rotatable turret (10) mounted on the vessel (5) and a buoyant spider buoy (20), secured by chains (22) to the sea floor, which may be selectively connected by means of a hydraulic connector (209) to the bottom of the turret (10). The improvement relates to manufacturing the turret in three sections (10A, 10B, 10C), with top and bottom sections joined ultimately by a middle section. The top section (10C) includes a machined surface (102) for connection of the bearing retainer ring to the upper roller bearing (598). The bottom section (10A) includes a machined cylindrical journal surface (110) for connection to the radial support bearing. Another improvement relates to testing during manufacture of the mating and connection between the top of the spider buoy (20) and the bottom of the turret (10) prior to deployment of the vessel and spider buoy (20) in the sea.

Abstract: An offshore mooring buoy for mooring a crude oil tanker and the like includes a hawser tension sensing member and a control circuit for generating indicator signals in response to predetermined mooring tension forces exerted on the buoy under varying sea conditions. A mast mounted on a mooring platform of the buoy includes a vertically-spaced array of colored indicator lamps which provide visual indication to the ship's crew of a range of acceptable, stand-by, and unacceptable mooring loads exerted on the buoy and the hawser. The circuit is also operable to energize a horn when a predetermined sustained mooring force is exerted on the buoy as a back-up signal or when weather conditions impair visual observation of the indicator lamps.

Abstract: An anchor shock absorber for use with a marine vessel anchoring system. The anchor shock absorber is purposed to relieve the strain on a rope or a cable which joins an anchoring device to the marine vessel. The anchor shock absorber includes an casing, a spring assembly interposed within the casing, and a buoyant material associated with the casing. The casing may be of a rigidly constructed independent of the buoyant material or may be formed by the buoyant material. The spring assembly includes axially disposed opposing first and second couplings. A spring is arranged between the first and second couplings in such a manner that an axial strain induced upon the anchoring system causes the first and second couplings to move in opposing directions, thus distorting the spring axially. This distortion of the spring absorbs the shock or relieves the strain sustained by the connecting line. An absence of strain allows the spring to relax, or to return a normal state or condition.

Abstract: An improved detachable mooring system (1) is disclosed of the kind including a rotatable turret (10) mounted on the vessel (5) and a buoyant spider buoy (20), secured by chains (22) to the sea floor, which may be selectively connected by means of a hydraulic connector (209) to the bottom of the turret (10). One improvement relates to providing a roller bearing (598) between an upper part of the turret and an interior ring (56) of a well (50) of the vessel (50) at a level higher than sea water can reach under fully loaded conditions of the vessel. Such improvement provides an elastomeric pad (584) between the bearing (598) and a support ring (56) to reduce moment loads and to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of interface surfaces of the bearing (580, 586) and the support ring (56). Alternatively one or more spring stacks (791, 793) may be used rather than an elastomeric pad.

Abstract: A heave compensating support system is disclosed for positioning a subsea work package. The present invention provides a subsurface buoy with a lift line connected to the subsea work package and a compensating lift line having a catenary loop below its connection to the subsurface buoy on one end and connected to a surface vessel on the other end, whereby the heave compensating support system elements cooperate to establish a natural frequency for the suspended subsea work package which materially differs from the average wave frequency acting upon the surface vessel.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising a vessel and a body carrying anchor lines which body is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis or weathervaning axis with respect to the vessel and attached to the vessel in a manner such that in case a predetermined load in one or more of the anchor lines is exceeded the body swings away with respect to the vessel in the direction of the load to avoid overloading of anchor lines and mooring device by changing the load excursion characteristic in such a way that at the predetermined load, excursion can take place without substantial change of the load.

Abstract: A backdown buoy-type mooring is provided which will pull supply vessels away from a tension leg platform while the supply vessel is being unloaded. The boat mooring system will consist of surface buoys attached to the top pad-eye of the lateral mooring intermediate buoys. The boat mooring system of the invention is configured for centering over a spaced array of ocean floor wells, being moved over to the farthest well, and adapted to be moved over to the nearest well.

Abstract: A flotation gimbal for a buoy which comprises a flotation bladder connected o the buoy by a pair of looped risers. The risers are anchored to the buoy by a guide in which the risers are allowed to freely move to maintain even tension on the risers as the position of the flotation bladder is tilted.

Abstract: A mooring line flotation device for maintaining a mooring line extending from an offshore structure above the surface of a body of water when the mooring line is not in use. The flotation device is a raft-like float having an open center. A buoyant bordering member is provided around the center and a perforated platform member extends across the center above the surface of the body of water when the float is afloat. A coupling device is affixed to the float for releasably affixing the float to the offshore structure in close proximity therewith, whereby a mooring line extending from the structure is supported, when not in use, by the platform member in essentially unfouled, clean, dry and readily available condition for use when desired.

Abstract: A harness for aligning and protecting the bow of a boat during docking. A starboard, port and fore line are joined at a junction point and connected to three spaced mooring points. Upper and lower starboard and port lines are flexibly interconnected. A spring biasing member is connected to the fore line for biasing the junction point of the port and starboard lines toward the fore line. Flexible tubing sections sheath the upper and lower lines adjacent the junction point. The fore, starboard and port lines are wrapped about their respective mooring points and secured by plastic clamps.

Abstract: Mooring system, comprising a mooring tower (3, 13, 22, 27), a ship (1) and a rigid arm (7, 15, 24, 31) between a horizontal pivot at the ship or the tower and a weight loaded tensionable connecting element (9, 29) suspended from the tower or the ship respectively, the system comprising a quick action coupling between the tower and the ship, as well as structure (12, 19, 20, 21, 26, 34) to control the behaviour of the disconnected arm.

Abstract: Mooring system, comprising a ship, a mooring device, a rigid arm between ship and mooring device, which arm at one end is connected to the ship or mooring device through the intermediance of a first weight loaded connecting element, which is swingably suspended, whereas according to the invention the other end is coupled to a second weight loaded connecting element, which by its weight is held in a predensioned state aginst an abutment, such that only after a certain shift of the ship the second weight starts to function. The points of attachment of the ends of the rigid arm with the weight loaded connecting elements can be past the respective centres of gravity of the weights.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising a tower fixed to the water bottom, a ship and two rigid connecting arms, which are pivotably connected about horizontal axes to a turntable on the tower and which each are connected at or adjacent their ends by weight loaded connecting elements to the ship. These arms extend in opposite directions so that the two springs, each comprising an arm, a weight and a connecting element counteract each other to obtain a desired force/travel curve, allowing a larger shift of the ship.

Abstract: A device for mooring a vessel to a mooring tower, buoy, seabed, or the like, has a device for absorbing excessive mooring forces. The vessel will normally travel a given distance when attached to the mooring tower or the like, due to forces such as waves, wind, or tide. However, when extreme conditions are encountered such that the vessel attempts to travel beyond this given distance, the device for absorbing can accommodate these excessive forces. The device for absorbing will permit the vessel to travel a distance which is greater than or equal to the given distance under these extreme conditions.

Abstract: Mooring system comprising a vessel, a chain anchored buoy and a rigid arm between buoy and vessel, which arm is pivotable about a horizontal axis at the vessel and has a weight loaded extension which hold the arm against a stop but allows rotation of the arm if a certain value of the forces on the anchor chains is reached.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising a ship (9), an anchor (2), an arm (5,19) connected pivotably, directly or indirectly at one end with the anchor and at the other end with a weight swivellably suspended from the ship, said arm having a triangular shape or A-shape, with its base at the bow of the ship, engaging the weight (10,23) from a point past the weight and with the centre of gravity in the central plane of the arm.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising an element anchored to the bottom. This element, such as a column or buoy, carries a weighted structure suspended from the element with its center of gravity below the point of suspension such that it can swing about a horizontal pin and rotate about a vertical axis. The weighted structure has a rigid arm which faces away from the structure, the free end of which can be coupled with or without pretension with a ship.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mooring system comprising a floating device with or without storage capacity and to which another ship can be moored which floating device has been connected with an anchor or the like in a manner such that in case of displacements of the floating device a return force is generated from structure which is under vertical tension, the improvement being that the structure which generates the return force is placed inside a space within the hull of the floating device and which is protected with respect to the surroundings.

Abstract: Tension leg platform with vessel moored to the platform by a soft yoke mooring system connected to a turntable which is rotatable about a central column of the platform, the platform being free from obstacles between the working area and the body with buoyancy to enable the moored vessel to swing around the artificial island.

Abstract: The present invention provides a service buoy for performing direct wireline maintenance of a subsea well. The buoy is maintained in position over the well by a rigid riser kept under tension and which allows for the well re-entry. The primary buoyant body of the buoy is maintained permanently submerged and a truss structure presenting the minimum surface area to the action of wind and waves extends above the sea level to support a small deck from which the wireline work can be performed. The centers of gravity and buoyancy for the buoy are in close proximity so as to minimize lateral surge and sway motions of the installed buoy.

Abstract: A buoy for marine vessels that is responsive to a transmitted RF signal of a set frequency consisting of an RF receiver disposed within the buoy and tuned to a set frequency of the transmitted RF signal and an antenna coupled to the input of the RF receiver. A switching circuit is coupled to the RF receiver, and a lamp is disposed on the buoy so that when the RF receiver receives a signal at the set frequency, it will operate said switching circuit and turn on said lamp. The buoy may be a pick-up buoy having an elongated stem on the top of the buoy, and containing the antenna. The lamp can also be mounted on the end of the antenna. A sound source coupled to the output of the switching circuit can sound an audible signal in response to the transmitted RF signal.

Abstract: A mooring system for a tanker comprising an outrigger secured to the tanker, a buoy anchored by chains, and a buoy supporting structure mounted in the outrigger, the buoy supporting structure being connected to or disconnected from the buoy.

Abstract: Mooring system comprising a column (2) tensioned between a sea bottom anchor (3) and a buoyant body (5-8) said column having (an) additional mass(es) (11,12,13,14,27) at the vibration node or nodes of the second or (N+1).sup.th bending vibration node(s) above the wave period while keeping the periods of the higher modes of bending vibration below or in the area of the smaller waves.

Abstract: Boat mooring devices to secure a boat or other floating object at a relatively fixed location on the surface of a body of water, which allow vertical movement of the boat, or floating object, in response to change in the water level where the boat is connected to at least one vertically extending shaft which extend upwardly above the surface of the water by ring-like floats having split sections so the boat can be connected to the rings and the shaft can be received through the split sections of the rings regardless of the height of the shaft. Closure devices are provided to retain the rings on the shafts for longitudinal movement thereon, but hold the boat in position and telescoping shafts are provided where the rings are attached adjacent the distal ends thereof so the shafts are extended and retracted in response to change in water level.

Abstract: A compensator for providing resilience in a connection between relatively moveable objects comprises a piston (3) working in a cylinder (2) which is surrounded by a larger coaxial cylinder (1) joined thereto by annular wall members (1a) thus defining about the cylinder (2) a pair of annular reservoirs (8,9). The piston (3) divides the cylinder (2) into a pair of chambers (6,7), chamber (6) being connected by conduit (12) to reservoir (9) and chamber (7) being connected by conduit (10) to reservoir (8). Each reservoir contains a mixture of liquid and gas while the chambers contain liquid. Elongation of the connection between the objects causes withdrawal of the piston (3) with consequent expansion of the volume of gas in reservoir (9) against atmospheric pressure and against pressure developed in reservoir (8) as a consequence of decrease of gas volume therein.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising a body at a distance above the bottom of a body of water such as a tower positioned upon the bottom of the water. The tower carries a downwardly extending construction loaded by a weight which construction can pivot about a vertical axis at the top of the tower and about a horizontal axis and at its lower end has been connected with a floating device such as a vessel by one or more rigid arms. The point of connection of the rigid arms with the weight loaded construction is located beyond the vertical axis of the tower seen in a direction away from the floating device.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for securing two offshore mooring sections together. The apparatus is a connector adapted to quickly disengage each mooring section so that an offshore floating storage vessel, having one mooring section attached to it, may be separated from the riser of an single-anchor-leg-mooring system, having the other mooring section attached to it. The connector comprises a pin member engageable with a hook of a latch member. The latch member is rotated once the hook engages the pin member and a plunger then advances into an open region of the hook prohibiting the rotational movement of the latch member and thereby locking the two mooring sections together.

Abstract: A structure for mooring a vessel floating on the surface of a body of water is disclosed including a tower structure and an improved structure for pivotably connecting the vessel to the tower structure while providing a restoring force to the vessel. The tower has a slewing boom rotatably mounted about its vertical axis. The longitudinal axis of the slewing boom is substantially aligned with that of the vessel. Pendant members are connected along the longitudinal axis of the slewing boom and support lateral members of a counterweight frame. Longitudinal members of the frame hold counterweight blocks. A unitary yoke is pivotably removably hinged at its tower end to one of the lateral members of the frame and is hinged at its vessel end to bow hinge brackets fixed to the vessel.

Abstract: A single point spar buoy mooring apparatus adapted to freely float in vertical position and readily attachable to a vessel, said apparatus including an outer rotatable cylinder and a superstructure supported therefrom, an inner nonrotatable cylinder coaxially within the outer cylinder and connected by mooring lines to anchors on the sea floor, a riser system including multiple riser lines extending from subsea wells through the inner cylinder to the top thereof, fluid transfer lines extending from the superstructure to the vessel, each riser line being connected to an associated transfer line and a turntable rotatable on the superstructure and connected with each riser line, said turntable being locked and held against rotation relative to said superstructure whereby turning of the vessel about the axis of the apparatus imparts a twist to said plurality of riser lines, said turntable being unlockable relative to the superstructure and rotatable to return the turntable to a reference position relative to the s

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for providing passive motion compensation at the ship-riser interface of a rise-moored floating production system or oil storage tanker, with its associated equipment including a riser handling system. Normal production proceeds, while ship motions are isolated from the riser, preventing excessive load transfer or unacceptable dyanmic effects. The main feature of the system is its ship-borne installation, with all moving parts clear of the waterline. The system is totally self-contained, with motion compensation, riser pipe and handling equipment on board. By installing the flotation within the hull of the ship, it moves with the ship, thus avoiding significant inertial and weather-related loads. The design is flexible. The range of seas can be extended by adjusting the basic parameters: float shape and size, tank depth, liquid S.G., counterweight size, link geometry, bridge length, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a buoy comprising a buoyant body with anchoring chains, a turntable on said body with a mooring for a ship. According to the invention the turntable has buoyancy as well and preferably takes part in the water displacement of the buoy. The bearing between turntable and body is preferably above water level between a central sleeve of the body and the turntable, accessible from above and located in the line from mooring point on the turntable to chain stopper on the body.