Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for aligning the ends of two submerged pipelines to be jointed, the apparatus which is equipped with means for displacing and aligning the pipe ends, is allowed to be displaced relative to the pipe ends and the bottom of the sea during the alignment operation. The restraining force developed when the displacement and alignment means are actuated, is used to displace the frame relative to the base and the pipe ends, so as to allow the frame and the pipe ends to adopt a final position in which the finished aligned pipe ends define a curve having the largest possible radius.