Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for shielding subsea wellheads from shock loads due to accidental impact due to the landing of retrieval gear. The present invention shields the wellhead from vertical impact loads by means of a generally conical outer structure and utilizes a shock absorbing material between a portion of the outer structure and the wellhead to minimize lateral impact loads. The total structure comprising the present invention completely surrounds the wellhead extension and provides a flexible, energy absorbing structure to protect the wellhead from the impact loads. More specifically the present invention provides supporting guide structure which is rigidly mounted on the wellhead. The supporting guide structure provides means for transmitting the impact loads to the wellheads.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding a load between a surface apparatus and a submerged base platform comprises at least two return pulleys mounted on the base platform, at least two cables passing over the pulleys, one run of each cable being connected to the surface apparatus by a winch and the other run acting as a guide for a load carrier, each run passing from the respective pulley to the respective winch separating from the respective guide run as it extends away from the respective pulley and the runs connected to the load carrier being orientated by the latter in the direction of the surface apparatus, and means for horizontally levelling the load carrier.