Abstract: A device for measuring tension in a line for mooring a ship to a dock or an anchor. The device includes three pulleys secured to rigid frames or springs. Sensors are placed on rigid frames, springs or shafts for securing the pulleys. Portions of the mooring line extending from a center pulley to the other two pulleys are approximately perpendicular to portions of line extending from the two pulleys to a winch or a mooring post or hook. The springs between the pulleys may provide resilience in the mooring line which may obviate a need for a pendent line between the mooring line and the winch. The sensors communicate with a signal-processing unit which transmits amplified sensor signals to a monitor which is accessible to personnel aboard the ship. The monitor may display the tension in the mooring line in text or graphic formats.

Abstract: A hinge system is provided to connect a first structure and a second structure. The first structure has a first pad eye extending from a connecting wall, with a tapered hole extending through the first pad eye. The second structure has a second pad eye extending from a connecting wall of the second structure, with a hole extending through the second pad eye. The hinge system further includes a pin having a first end and a second end, with the diameter of the first end smaller than the diameter of the second end. The first and second pad eyes are positioned such that the holes in the first and second pad eyes are aligned with each other, and the pin is inserted into the holes in the first and second pad eyes.

Abstract: A watertight horizontal bulkhead is provided in the space between inner and outer shells of a double hull tanker. The bulkhead divides the space between the shells into vertically stacked wing ballast tanks. Overflow pipes are provided for each ballast tank, to prevent pressure from building when filling the tanks for ballast trips. In the disclosed embodiment, overflow pipes from lower ballast tanks lead upward to the deck, while a bleed line at the base of each such overflow pipe drains excess water left in the overflow pipe once the lower ballast tanks are filled.

Abstract: The present invention is a drag embedment marine anchor having a fluke and shank which are fixed relative to each other during operation. The fluke is symmetrical about its central longitudinal axis and has two pointed front tips for penetrating soil. The elongated shank extends upwardly along the longitudinal axis of the fluke and is rotatably pinned to a trunion at approximately the geometric center of the fluke, to reduce the bending moment in the shank. The attitude of the shank is fixed relative to the fluke at various attitudes by a stopper, to accommodate different soil conditions. The fluke is wedge-shaped in side elevation, and has stabilizer fins protruding upwardly from a stern transom, the stabilizer fins extending beyond the top surface of the fluke to correct yaw. The fluke is formed from a hollow shell having a smooth top surface and a plurality of stiffening ribs depending from its bottom.

Abstract: An offshore oil storage and transfer facility is provided to receive and store crude oil from one or several sea floor located production wells. The storage facility includes an ellipsoid dome having an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall, which defines the closed chamber to receive and store crude oil, is spaced inwardly from the outer wall so as to create a closed pocket therebetween. At or near its top, the chamber communicates with the pocket whereas the pocket, near the bottom of the dome, communicates with the sea. When the storage facility is submerged and positioned, water in the pocket is forced therefrom with compressed air at a pressure substantially equal to the water pressure head existing at the sea floor. The compressed air in the pocket defines a moving bubble. As a result of this moving air bubble, the crude oil is stored in the chamber under pressure and may be unloaded via a suitable conduit to a surface vessel without using submerged pumps.

Abstract: An offshore oil storage and transfer facility is provided to receive and store crude oil from one or several sea floor located production wells. The storage facility includes an ellipsoid dome having an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall, which defines the closed chamber to receive and store crude oil, is spaced inwardly from the outer wall so as to create a closed pocket therebetween. At or near its top, the chamber communicates with the pocket whereas the pocket, near the bottom of the dome, communicates with the sea. When the storage facility is submerged and positioned, water in the pocket is forced therefrom with compressed air at a pressure substantially equal to the water pressure head existing at the sea floor. The compressed air in the pocket defines a moving bubble. As a result of this moving air bubble, the crude oil is stored in the chamber under pressure and may be unloaded via a suitable conduit to a surface vessel without using submerged pumps.