ES290859A1 - A towed submersible barge - Google Patents

Abstract

A towed submersible barge comprises an elongated body forming the hull member, which member is longitudinally framed in the aft portion (Fig. 5, not shown), and has respective fore-and-aft cargo tanks 37, 38 enclosed therein and which is transversely framed amidships to contain pressure resistant space 41, 42 for equipment and air storage, said hull member also containing ballast tanks 39 and trim tanks 40 fore and aft and having fixed stabilizers 56 on the bow and movable stabilizers 55 and a fixed rudder 57 on the stern and control means actuated remotely from the tow vessel for controlling the attitude and buoyancy of the barge. As shown, the hull member comprises exterior and interior hulls 31 and 34 respectively. Attached to exterior hull 31 at the bow is a pin 43 by which lines are connected by a quick release mechanism 45 to the barge from the towing vessel. Signalling means 46 and 50 are used for indicating the position of the barge in the submerged and surface conditions respectively. A control and monitoring system operated from the towing vessel controls the position of the barge by operation of the ballast and trim tanks and the movable stabilizers 55. More than one barge may be towed from the same towing vessel (Figs. 2 and 3, not shown).