Abstract: A load-bearing apparatus (100) comprises a winch apparatus (110), and a load-bearing spoolable medium (120) for connecting to a load, the load-bearing spoolable medium comprising a plurality of load-bearing elements (121-123); wherein at least a portion of the load-bearing spoolable medium is spooled about the winch apparatus. The provision of multiple load-bearing elements may help reduce the diameter appropriate for the winch apparatus, while maintaining the necessary load bearing capacity for supporting, paying in and/or paying out the load. The load-bearing apparatus may comprise a tension control apparatus (151-153) for controlling, applying and/or adjusting the tension of the load-bearing spoolable medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a capstan reel (10) and a method for transporting an elongated article (6, 6a, 6b, 39, 42, 43, 45a, 47) between a floating vessel (2) and a body of water situated below the vessel, and a vessel applying such a capstan reel. The capstan reel comprises a rotatable cylindrical body (100) for spooling the elongated article around the body's axial axis (11), said body comprising a cylindrical contacting surface (35) for indirectly supporting at least a portion of the elongated article.

Abstract: A load-bearing apparatus (100) comprises a winch apparatus (110), and a load-bearing spoolable medium (120) for connecting to a load, the load-bearing spoolable medium comprising a plurality of load-bearing elements (121-123); wherein at least a portion of the load-bearing spoolable medium is spooled about the winch apparatus. The provision of multiple load-bearing elements may help reduce the diameter appropriate for the winch apparatus, while maintaining the necessary load bearing capacity for supporting, paying in and/or paying out the load. The load-bearing apparatus may comprise a tension control apparatus (151-153) for controlling, applying and/or adjusting the tension of the load-bearing spoolable medium.

Abstract: A winch apparatus (10) comprises first and second drum assemblies (12, 14) each defining a discontinuous drum contact surface for engaging a common spoolable medium (50), wherein the first and second drum assemblies (12, 14) are configured to rotate about respective first and second axes of rotation (24, 26) which are inclined relative to each other. In one disclosed embodiment the drum assemblies (12, 14) are intermeshed in a general axial direction.

Abstract: A winch apparatus (10) comprises first and second drum assemblies (12, 14) each defining a discontinuous drum contact surface for engaging a common spoolable medium (50), wherein the first and second drum assemblies (12, 14) are configured to rotate about respective first and second axes of rotation (24, 26) which are inclined relative to each other. In one disclosed embodiment the drum assemblies (12, 14) are intermeshed in a general axial direction.