Abstract: A load control apparatus and method for controlling movement of a suspended load is disclosed. The load control apparatus includes: a base for attachment to or forming part of a load; a support element pivotally secured to and extending from the base for receiving and/or connecting to a lift line; and actuation means connected to the support element and to the base at respective positions which are spaced from the pivotal connection between the support element and the base such that actuation, in use, of the actuation means causes the base to pivot relative to the support element.

Abstract: A load control apparatus and method for controlling movement of a suspended load is disclosed. The load control apparatus includes: a base for attachment to or forming part of a load; a support element pivotally secured to and extending from the base for receiving and/or connecting to a lift line; and actuation means connected to the support element and to the base at respective positions which are spaced from the pivotal connection between the support element and the base such that actuation, in use, of the actuation means causes the base to pivot relative to the support element.

Abstract: An underwater trenching apparatus and pumping apparatus and method of operating an underwater trenching apparatus is disclosed. The underwater trenching apparatus and pumping apparatus includes: first and second pumps and a trench-cutting jetting tool with first and second sections, the first pump having an inlet for fluid connection with a source of water and an outlet fluidly connected to the first section of the jetting tool, the second pump having an inlet for fluid connection with a source of water and an outlet fluidly connected to the second section of the jetting tool, wherein the outlet of the first pump is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second pump by valve means that is operable to divert at least a portion of an outlet flow of the first pump to the inlet of the second pump.

Abstract: The invention provides a trenching apparatus and a method of using a trenching apparatus. The trenching apparatus (100) may include a main body portion (10), trench cutting equipment (50) depending from the main body portion, at least two ground contacting units (16) arranged on opposed sides of the main body portion and on which the main body portion is supported, each of the ground contacting units being connected to the main body portion by a respective independently operable suspension assembly (20), the respective suspension assemblies being configured to compensate for unevenness of the ground thereby to maintain the trench cutting equipment in a desired angular orientation with respect to the vertical.

Abstract: A pump apparatus comprises a primary pump having a relatively low pressure fluid input and a relatively high pressure fluid output and means, associated with said primary pump fluid input, operable where the ambient pressure is insufficient substantially to prevent cavitation in the primary pump, to locally increase the pressure at said primary pump fluid input.

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating a longitudinally extensive member comprises a main body portion, ground contacting assemblies on which said main body portion is mounted, said ground contact assemblies being operable to convey the apparatus over a ground surface, a trench cutting device, and a mounting arm depending directly or indirectly from said main body portion and having a proximal end arranged proximate said main body portion and a distal end arranged distal from said main body portion, said distal end being operatively laterally movable with respect to the main body portion between a first limit position towards a first side of the apparatus and a second limit position towards an opposite second side of the apparatus. The mounting arm is provided with a lifting device configured to lift, and/or support assembly configured to support, said longitudinally extensive member, proximate said distal end thereof.

Abstract: An underwater trenching apparatus comprising a soil cutting arrangement having a forwardly disposed cutting portion and a rearwardly disposed non-cutting portion, a soil removal device configured to remove soil from a location forward of the soil cutting arrangement and barrier device located and configured substantially to prevent passage of soil to the non-cutting portion of the soil cutting arrangement. The soil cutting arrangement is typically a rockwheel or chain cutter. The soil removal device is typically a dredge pump or eductor.

Abstract: Apparatus and Method for Burying Elongate Member Apparatus for laying an elongate member in a trench, the apparatus comprises a main body portion; ground-contacting apparatus on which the main body portion is mounted and by which the apparatus may in use move over the ground; an elongate member moving device configured to move the elongate member from an initial position to a elongate member laying position; and a depressor attached to the main body portion and configured to guide the elongate member from its elongate member laying position to its in-trench location, the depressor having an elongate member entry portion and an elongate member exit portion, wherein the depressor is rotatable in use about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

Abstract: An underwater trenching apparatus comprises at least one trenching tool; a lifting attachment point configured for attachment of a lifting means for lowering the trenching apparatus to, or raising the trenching apparatus from, its location of operation; at least two steerable endless track units for transmitting tractive effort to move the underwater trenching apparatus in use; and for each steerable endless track unit, a first mounting arrangement permitting rotation of the track unit about a vertical axis, and a first actuator configured to move the track unit about the vertical axis, and control means configured to control the action of the actuator. In alternative forms, in addition to, or alternative to the steerable endless track units, the apparatus includes height adjustment means for adjusting the vertical spacing between the main body portion and the respective endless tracks; and control means configured to control the action of the height adjustment means.

Abstract: An underwater trenching apparatus comprises at least one trenching tool; a lifting attachment point configured for attachment of a lifting means for lowering the trenching apparatus to, or raising the trenching apparatus from, its location of operation; at least two steerable endless track units for transmitting tractive effort to move the underwater trenching apparatus in use; and for each steerable endless track unit, a first mounting arrangement permitting rotation of the track unit about a vertical axis, and a first actuator configured to move the track unit about the vertical axis, and control means configured to control the action of the actuator. In alternative forms, in addition to, or alternative to the steerable endless track units, the apparatus includes height adjustment means for adjusting the vertical spacing between the main body portion and the respective endless tracks; and control means configured to control the action of the height adjustment means.

Abstract: A gangway apparatus (10) for transfer between vessels or between a vessel (38) and a fixed structure such as an offshore construction or a quay is disclosed. The gangway apparatus (10) includes a gangway component (16) which is preferably buoyant and may be inflatable. The gangway component (16) is mounted on a skate or bogie and traverses a fixedly mounted runway (14). The runway (14) may be inclined. Control means are provided for controlling the motion of the gangway component on the runway. These may include biasing means such as a counterweight. The apparatus is preferably mounted in a shipping container such as a 40? ISO container.

Abstract: A method and system for transporting an offshore structure such as a wind turbine generator includes a supporting frame in which the offshore structure is assembled on land in an upright configuration. The frame is used for lifting the structure onto a transport vessel, on which it is retained in the upright configuration. At its location of use, the offshore structure is transferred to a pre-prepared foundation. The foundation is provided with a frame which cooperates with the supporting frame. The supporting frame includes a plurality of legs having hydraulically controlled feet. The frame of the foundation includes an equal number of supporting formations on which the feet ultimately rest. The feet are moveable in response to the hydraulic control along a nominally vertical line of action and provide a damping arrangement for the mounting of the offshore structure.

Abstract: Access means are provided for accessing a fixed offshore structure (70) such as a wind turbine, larger vessel or the like form a smaller vessel (50), or for providing for transfer between vessels. One or more guide wires (12) are connected from the vessel (50) to the fixed structure (70) or second vessel and placed in tension such as by directing the vessel away from the fixed structure. In one embodiment, inflatable members (14) are suspendable from the guide wires and inflation of the inflatable members causes them to extend along the guide wires to form an access surface across which personnel may walk to access the fixed structure or second vessel from the first vessel. Mounting means are also provided which accommodate relative rotational, translational and pitching movement of the apparatus and vessel, caused by wave motion. In another embodiment, a bridge member is retained on a runway of the first vessel and deployed using said guide wires.

Abstract: Access means are provided for accessing a fixed offshore structure such as a wind turbine (70), larger vessel or the like form a smaller transfer vessel (50), or for providing for transfer between vessels One or more guide wires (12) are connected from the vessel (50) to the fixed structure (70) or second vessel and placed in tension such as by directing the transfer vessel away from the fixed structure. In one embodiment, inflatable, members are suspendable from the guide wires and inflation of the inflatable members causes them to extend along the guide wires to form an access surface (56) across which personnel may walk to access the fixed structure or second vessel from the first vessel Mounting means are also provided which accommodate relative rotational, translational and pitching movement of the apparatus and vessel, caused by wave motion. In another embodiment, a bridge member is retained on a runway of the first vessel and deployed using said guide wires (12).

Abstract: Offshore structures such as wind turbines, wave machines and tidal stream turbines are mounted in a previously located foundation including a socket. The foundation includes an upper body with a conical inner surface which acts as a guide for inserting a leading end of the structure into the socket. The conical surface also provides a reaction surface for setting the vertical alignment of the structure when inserted in the socket. Clamps are provided supported by an A frame for controlled lowering of the structure into the socket.

Abstract: Offshore structures such as wind turbines, wave machines and tidal stream turbines are mounted in a previously located foundation including a socket. The foundation includes an upper body with a conical inner surface which acts as a guide for inserting a leading end of the structure into the socket. The conical surface also provides a reaction surface for setting the vertical alignment of the structure when inserted in the socket. Clamps are provided supported by an A frame for controlled lowering of the structure into the socket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sub-sea trenching machine (16) including two cutter units (26a, 26b). The cutter units are preferably chain cutter units. The cutter units are mounted to be moveable from a use position in which the cutter units are juxtaposed or spaced a limited distance apart to a stowed condition in which the cutter units are sufficiently spaced apart to allow mounting of an elongate workpiece (18) such as a pipe or cable onto the trenching machine.

Abstract: A method and system for transporting an offshore structure such as a wind turbine generator includes a supporting frame in which the offshore structure is assembled on land in an upright configuration. The frame is used for lifting the structure onto a transport vessel, on which it is retained in the upright configuration. At its location of use, the offshore structure is transferred to a pre-prepared foundation. The foundation is provided with a frame which cooperates with the supporting frame. The supporting frame includes a plurality of legs having hydraulically controlled feet. The frame of the foundation includes an equal number of supporting formations on which the feet ultimately rest. The feet are moveable in response to the hydraulic control along a nominally vertical line of action and provide a damping arrangement for the mounting of the offshore structure.