Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for mooring a floating vessel in open sea, using a semi submersible floating dock. The apparatus is particularly suitable for tankers carrying liquid natural gas in cryogenic form which can be a dangerous substance to handle and hence offshore terminals are preferred. The apparatus comprises a semi-submersible floating dock (1) for receiving a vessel (10) and a single point mooring system (5), with a rigid arm (3) between the two. The dock (1) is pivotally connected to the arm (3). The single point mooring system (5) comprises a mooring buoy (17) secured to the seabed by a compliant anchoring system such as a number of catenary anchor legs (15). This allows vertical movement of the mooring buoy (17) but constrains the movement to a relatively small column of water.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting fluid flowlines to a (5) floating vessel. The apparatus comprises a floating transfer structure supporting a plurality of fluid pipelines. A plurality of flexible fluid conduits (2) each have a proximal end attached to the transfer structure in fluid communication with the pipelines 10 and a distal end attached to a common connector (4) for releasably engaging with the floating vessel. The connector has a longitudinal axis which is substantially vertical in use, and is secured to a manipulator means (7) mounted on the transfer (15) structure. The manipulator means is configured to allow the connector to rotate and to translate in two mutually perpendicular planes.