Abstract: A method for installing a water-submersible platform is disclosed. The method includes lowering the platform in water from a vessel positioned above the platform while spuds connecting the vessel to the platform stabilize the platform during lowering. An assembly of the vessel and platform, and a vessel that is used to connect to the platform is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for withdrawing samples of fluids comprises a pitot tube assembly, a flow sensor to measure a flow rate of the sample, and a pump connected to the pitot tube assembly to withdraw a sample, wherein the system is configured to match a sample flow velocity to the flow velocity sensed by a flow sensor on a pitot wand. The pitot tube assembly comprises a housing with a sample outlet and a return sample inlet, an extendable/retractable pitot wand within the housing, wherein the pitot wand includes a passage extending the length thereof to transfer a sample from a pitot tube end to a sealed compartment in the housing connected to the sample outlet; wherein the return sample inlet is connected to a passage in the housing leading to an outlet from the housing, and a flow sensor on an end of the pitot wand.