Abstract: A system for transferring a flowable medium, especially oil, to or from a floating vessel, comprising a buoyancy unit in the form of a submerged buoy which is anchored to the sea bed by catenary mooring lines keeping the buoy submerged at a desired depth when it is not in use, at least one transfer line which is connected to the buoy, for the transfer of medium, a downwardly open receiving device arranged on the vessel below the water surface and arranged for receipt and connection of the buoy, a hoisting device provided on the vessel for raising of the buoy for introduction thereof into the receiving space, and a device enabling the vessel to turn about a vertical axis through the buoy when this is connected in the receiving space.

Abstract: An arrangement in a vessel for loading or unloading at sea a flowable medium, especially oil. The vessel is provided with a receiving space for a submarine buoy in the form of a module built on the bow portion of the vessel. The submerged downwardly opening receiving space is connected by a service shaft with the deck of the vessel. The receiving space has a downwardly opening conical shape for mating with a buoy of corresponding outer shape.

Abstract: A device for guiding a loading/unloading buoy during pulling-up into a receiving space in the bottom of a vessel. The device includes a guide cylinder which is vertically moveable in a shaft in the vessel. The guide cylinder is extend into the receiving space such that guide elements on the guide cylinder provide side stabilization of the buoy as it is brought into the receiving space.

Abstract: A locking and release mechanism for securing a loading/unloading buoy to a vessel. The buoy is of a type to be introduced into a submerged downwardly open receiving space in the vessel and to be fastened in a releasable manner in the receiving space. The locking and release mechanism includes hydraulically actuated locking elements mounted about horizontal axes at the sides of the receiving space to pivot between the locking and releasing positions. The buoy has a peripheral collar with downwardly facing abutment edge for engagement with the locking elements in the locking position thereof.

Abstract: A buoy for use in loading or unloading a flowable medium, especially oil from a vessel at sea. The buoy includes an outer buoyancy member having a conical shape, and a central member, rotatably mounted in the outer member which forms a passage for the flowable medium from the lower end of the buoy which is connected to a transfer line to a delivery system within the vessel. The outer member is received and locked in a conical shaped opening in the bottom of the vessel which is connected to a receiving space which extends up to the deck of the vessel. The outer member forms a seal with the lower end of the opening to seal the sea off from the receiving space. The central member, has a relatively small mass and a small inertia, such that the outer buoyancy member together with the vessel may readily turn thereabout.

Abstract: A method and a vessel for offshore oil loading, wherein the vessel comprises a number of center tanks (3) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vessel, and a number of wing tanks (5, 6) located in pairs on either side of respective center tanks, a loading line (19) being connected to the center tanks (3) via respective valves (20), and adjacent center tanks (3) being connected to each other via bulkhead valves (18).

Abstract: A buoy for use in loading or unloading a flowable medium, especially oil from a vessel at sea. The buoy includes an outer member and a central member rotatably mounted in the outer member. The central member forms a passage for the flowable medium from the lower end of the buoy which is connected to a transfer line to a tube system within the vessel. The outer member is received and latched in an opening in the bottom of the vessel. The central member is connected to the tube system by a swivel means coupled to the upper end of the central member by a flexible joint which allows angular displacement about the axis of connection.

Abstract: In a hull the skin plate is built up as a composite member with an outer skin, a core and an inner skin. The skin plate is placed on the framework which includes longitudinal stiffeners. The inner skin is constructed as a diaphragm element relative to the external water pressure, while the core is made as a pressure-absorbing element and the outer skin is constructed primarily as a bending stressed element. The inner skin as a diaphragm will take tensile stress and be protected against outer local stresses. The material in the core can be chosen without major requirements to be able to tolerate shearing stress. The outer skin can be dimensioned and made primarily to take local shock loads.

Abstract: A method and a system for connecting a submerged loading/unloading buoy to a submerged receiving space in a floating vessel for transfer of oil to or from the vessel. The buoy is anchored to the sea bed and is connected to a transfer line for carrying the oil. A sink line, having an auxiliary buoy attached to its end, is lowered from the vessel through the receiving space, with the auxiliary buoy coming to the water surface. A suitably marked pick-up line connected to the loading/unloading buoy, is taken up and connected to the sink line. The vessel is then positioned above the submerged loading/unloading buoy and the sink and pick-up lines are pulled up through the receiving space, so that the loading/unloading buoy is hoisted up and moved to a locking position in the receiving space. The vessel is provided with a hoist to lift the lines and the loading/unloading buoy, and also with a service shaft connecting the receiving space to the deck of the vessel.

Abstract: System for offshore transfer of persons and goods, preferably between a supply vessel and a stationary platform or a moored drilling/production platform or vessel, comprising a rigid gangway of which one end is pivotable on a vertical and a horizontal axis arranged on a vessel. The second end of the rigid gangway having a transition to one end of a collapsible bellowshaped gangway where changes of the total length is approximately equalized between the various elements, while the second end of the gangway can be fixed to the vessel. When the bellow-shaped gangway is in use it is supported by ropes, rods or similar means. Each support is fastened at one end and the second end is fastened to a winch which can compensate for changes in the line tension when the fixing points are moving relative to each other.