Abstract: The invention concerns a bend stiffener (10, 32) for locally protecting an elongate flexible member (14) from excessive curvature when the elongate flexible member is deployed in water. The bend stiffener comprises an elongate stiffener body (34) which has a root end, a free end, and a passage (36) extending through the stiffener body from the root end to the free end for receiving and embracing the flexible member. A coupling (16) at or toward the root end of the stiffener body serves to mount the stiffener body. The stiffener body is sufficiently flexible to curve somewhat along with the flexible member when the flexible member suffers a bending load and carries a sensor module which is located proximate the free end of the bend stiffener and is configured to sense inclination and/or orientation and/or movement of the free end of the bend stiffener.

Abstract: A protection assembly for mounting in an underwater support structure includes at least one bend protection device coupled to a retaining device so that together they provide a through-going passage for receiving an elongate member which is to be protected. The elongate member passes through a support structure opening, and the retaining device is configured to be received in the support structure opening and to engage with the support structure to resist subsequent withdrawal from it. Installation of the protection assembly includes grasping the protection assembly with a releasable clamp, arranging a pulling line to pass through the support structure opening to the mechanical clamp and securing the pulling line to the mechanical clamp, drawing the retaining device of the protection assembly into the support structure opening using the pulling line and engaging the retaining device with the support structure, and releasing the clamp from the protection assembly.