GB2396335A - Flexible shipwreck cover - Google Patents

Flexible shipwreck cover Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2396335A
GB2396335A GB0229907A GB0229907A GB2396335A GB 2396335 A GB2396335 A GB 2396335A GB 0229907 A GB0229907 A GB 0229907A GB 0229907 A GB0229907 A GB 0229907A GB 2396335 A GB2396335 A GB 2396335A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cover
shipwreck
released
crown
membrane
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0229907A
Other versions
GB0229907D0 (en
GB2396335B (en
Inventor
Dominic Michaelis
Gilles Bouchez
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0229907A priority Critical patent/GB2396335B/en
Publication of GB0229907D0 publication Critical patent/GB0229907D0/en
Publication of GB2396335A publication Critical patent/GB2396335A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2396335B publication Critical patent/GB2396335B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63CLAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C7/00Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects
    • B63C7/006Emptying the contents of sunken, stranded, or disabled vessels, e.g. by engaging the vessel; Underwater collecting of buoyant contents, such as liquid, particulate or gaseous contents, escaping from sunken vessels, e.g. using funnels, or tents for recovery of escaping hydrocarbons
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02BHYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B15/00Cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water; Apparatus therefor
    • E02B2015/005Tent-like structures for dealing with pollutant emissions below the water surface

Abstract

A shipwreck cover is made of a flexible material and is lowered over a shipwreck site to contain contaminants 15 leaking from the wrecked ship 11 to prevent environmental pollution. The cover may be formed from a membrane 1 stretched over a tubular network 2, 3, 4 and 5 which is made rigid by hydraulic pressure such that the cover forms a bell or dome shape. The cover may be provided with a pressurised tube 6 that surrounds its base from which a weighted skirt 7 hangs to seal against the seabed. The cover may be fixed in place using cables 9 attached to seabed weights 10 then released and winched back to the surface when salvage operations are complete. Alternatively the cover may be inflated on a beach or quay-side and drawn by tugs to the shipwreck site before being lowered over the wreck.

Description

SHIPWRECK COVER
This invention relates to shipwreck covers.
It occurs frequently that ships carrying dangerous cargo, whether liquid, solid or gaseous, sink or run aground, and spill their cargo into the sea, which then carries it to nearby beaches where it can cause pollution and danger to local inhabitants and to wildlife. Oil spills have all too often resulted from oil tankers sinking, and buffeted by the seas, being badly damaged so that oil, generally lighter than water, is released from their gutted tanks, and causes environmental calamities.
According to the present invention, there is provided a shipwreck cover, made of flexible or other materials, that can be brought to the shipwreck site, and gradually lowered over the sunken ship, so that all spillages from the wreck, whether liquid, gaseous or solid can be contained, thus causing no environmental pollution.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of the cover over the sunken vessel.
Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic section through the deployed cover over the shipwreck.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a shipwreck cover Which, in its folded form, can be packed compactly, and is designed as a dome like structure, the form and rigidity of which is given by a membrane 1 and pressurised tubular members, these being generally filled with water under hydraulic pressure, where the cover is being used to protect an underwater wreck, or air, where the structure is erected principally above the water line, or by both where the structure is partially immersed. The cover can rapidly be brought to the disaster scene, and in the more general case of a sunken vessel, can be deployed on the surface by a number of tugs, and allowed by winches to sink to a predetermined depth at which the tubes are pressurised with water, one secondary circumferential tube 2 being filled with air by a pump and a liquid air supply to keep its shape as the depth increases, to insure the bouyancy of the whole rigidised structure which can then be gradually lowered over the wreck, being light and easy to manoeuvre by small prehensile submarines. The cover is fitted with a skirt 7 provided at its base With a chain or heavier than water ballast that takes up the floor irregularities so acting as anchor to the overall structure which covers the wreck, any spills from which are so contained.. A number of buoyed weights 10 can also be released by a submarine in predetermined positions to further anchor down the structure if necessary.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a plan view illustrating the principal membrane 1 stretched between the tubular structural elements, one forming the lower outer end boundary structure, 2, and another forming the crown, 3, from which depart radial tubular elements, 4, stabilised by an intermediary circumferential tube, 5. Above the outer structure,2, is a
superimposed circumferential tube,6, filled with compressed air which insures the buoyancy of the whole structure, and in particular compensates for the weighted skirt 7 below the outer structure 2.
Figure I also illustrates the optional outer tensed membrane 8, stretched between cables 9, and the principal membrane, these cables being attached to weights 10 to locate the cover over the shipwreck ship 11 or leaking fragments thereof.
The crown ring 3 acts as housing for an upper valve 12, through which any lighter than water fluid can be pumped, and for pumps and pressurising devices 13, necessary for the rigidising of the structure. It can also contain the liquified air supply necessary for the buoyancy ring 6.
Referring to figure 2, an underwater section is taken through the cover showing the membrane 1 stretched between the pressurised tubes 2,3 4, and 5, which give shape and rigidity to the overall structure. The whole structure is held down by the weighted skirt 7 which adapts to the contours of the ocean bed. Additionally, the section shows the weights 10 lightened by buoys 17 for manoeuvreability during installation, but freed afterwards, attached to cables 9 and outer tensed membrane 8, providing optional firmer location to the overall structure.
Figure 2 also shows the crown tubular section 3 acting as support for the central valve 12 through which oil or other lighter than water fluids can be recovered, having formed a pocket 15 below the crown of the cover, which houses also pumps and pressurising equipment 13, and liquified air required for the buoyancy tube 6 running above the circumferential tube 2.
Cables from the sea surface would connect to the crown, which would be designed to be serviced by "prehensile" mini-submarines. A hatch 16 is provided in the skirt 7 to allow for the passage of divers or minisubmarines that may need to access the wreck.
In this arrangement, the tubular structure is not exposed to the spilt substance, and only the membrane itself 1 and the skirt 7 need to be treated on the inside to be resistant to possible chemical attack.
The cover can be used when the ship or part of the ship is either completely underwater 20, or in low waters when the water level is between the crown and the base 21, or even when the ship is floating, but leaking liquid or gaseous chemicals that need to be contained 22.
Because the tubular members and the membranes can be folded, much as a hot air balloon, the shipwreck cover can be compactly folded and stored on board specialised ships that can rapidly intervene when a carrier ship is in difficulty.
As the cover is unfolded, air is trapped between the weighted skirt and the membrane, insuring that it can be unfolded and spread out, without sinking, before the base tube 2 is filled and pressurised, the whole then gradually sinking, witheld by winches, the air being released by the remotely controlled valve 12. After salvage operations are completed, and pollution risks removed, the cover can be released and winched back to the surface, where it can be repaired as necessary, cleaned, and packed ready for further use.
In an alternative preparation, the structure can be deployed on a beach or quayside, the base tube 2 being inflated with air first, and the rest of the tubular network thereafter, the skirt and outer membrane hitched up above the base tube, the base tube anchored down to resist any wind pressure. The inflated structure can then be pulled onto the sea surface, some water being allowed into the base tube 2 to give it weight against the wind overturning it. It can then be towed in its air inflated form to the shipwreck site, and as the air is gradually replaced by water under hyraulic pressure, it will immerse itself, and held in place by tugs, be lowered over the disaster site, and positioned by small prehensile submarines.
In a variant of this method of deployment, a small jet engine can be temporarily fixed to the crown, pressurising the air inside the dome, so that it hovers over the sea surface and can be moved with greater ease. The engine can be released by remote control clamps and be taken away by helicopter before total immersion.
The pollution barrier that the shipwreck cover affords can be invaluable, and its cost is a negligeable amount compared to the immense cost of clean up operations.

Claims (15)

1 A shipwreck cover made of flexible or other materials, that can be brought to the shipwreck site, and gradually lowered over the sunken ship, so that all spillages from the wreck, whether liquid, gaseous or solid can be contained, thus causing no environmental pollution.
2 A shipwreck cover as described in Claim 1 that is made of flexible materials,
principally a membrane held in place by a tubular network, the network being rigidised by hydraulic pressure established within its various members, the whole taking on the overall shape of a bell-like concave generally elliptical or circular dome.
3 A shipwreck cover as described in Claims I and 2, which can be lowered over the shipwreck, so as to capture any lighter than water spillages that float to its crown, also containing gaseous emissions.
4 A shipwreck cover, as described in Claims 1, 2, and 3, which is provided with a base circumferential pressurised tube, from which hangs a adjustable skirt, weighted at its bottom end, such that it can adapt to the level differences of the sea bed surrounding the stricken ship, the said tube being linked to a secondary tube filled with pressurised air, insuring the buoyancy of the overall structure.
5 A shipwreck cover, as described in claims 2 and 3, which is fitted at its crown with a large diameter valve through which air can be released during its installation, and later, any lighter than water spillage can be pumped away to a surface recovery craft.
6 A shipwreck cover fitted with an outer edge membrane and cables that can be secured to carefully located weights, initially fitted with metal buoys capable of resisting deep water pressures, and released when the weights are lowered into position.
7 A shipwreck cover, as described in claim 4, which is provided at its base with an opening hatch to allow the visit of divers or minisubmarines depending on the seabed depth, for inspection, maintenance, and eventual removal of certain elements.
8 A shipwreck cover as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 3, which being made of flexible materials, can be compactly packed on board a specialist vessel, and rapidly brought to the disaster site.
9 A shipwreck cover, as claimed in claim 8, that can be deployed on the sea surface, a number of air pockets preventing it from sinking, the tubes being then gradually pumped full of water under pressure, the whole structure then slowly sinking, witheld by tug winches, the trapped air being released by the temporarily opened crown valve.
s
lO A shipwreck cover as claimed in claims 8 and 9 which is lowered by winches and guided by mini-submarines to take its position over the sunken vessel or parts thereof, held in position by its weighted skirt, and optionally further secured to an array of weights.
11 A shipwreck cover, as claimed in claims 1,2 and 3, in which the tubular structure is designed to withstand sea water exposure, and only the inside of the internal membrane and the skirt need to be coated with material able to withstand any potentially corrosive conditions.
12 A shipwreck cover which, after salvage operations are completed, and pollution risks removed, can be released and winched back to the surface, where it can be repaired as necessary, cleaned, and packed ready for further use.
13 A shipwreck cover which can be inflated on a beach or quayside, and drawn by tugs to the disaster site to be there lowered over the wreck.
14 A shipwreck cover, as claimed in claim]3, which can be fitted temporarily with a small removeable jet engine mounted in its crown, so that positive pressure is established under the dome, and the whole structure hovers over the sea surface, so as to be moved more easily and rapidly.
15 A shipwreck cover substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-2 of the accompanying drawings.
GB0229907A 2002-12-21 2002-12-21 Shipwreck cover Expired - Fee Related GB2396335B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0229907A GB2396335B (en) 2002-12-21 2002-12-21 Shipwreck cover

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0229907A GB2396335B (en) 2002-12-21 2002-12-21 Shipwreck cover

Publications (3)

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GB0229907D0 GB0229907D0 (en) 2003-01-29
GB2396335A true GB2396335A (en) 2004-06-23
GB2396335B GB2396335B (en) 2007-07-04

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0229907A Expired - Fee Related GB2396335B (en) 2002-12-21 2002-12-21 Shipwreck cover

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2277547A1 (en) * 2005-11-24 2007-07-01 Bernd Cenro De Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales Y Tecnologicas (C.I.E.M.A.T.) Method for the containment of pollutants present in the aquatic environment and device for implementing same
WO2009095512A1 (en) * 2008-02-01 2009-08-06 Francisco Rodriguez Rubio Pollutant collection device
EP3231987A1 (en) * 2016-04-14 2017-10-18 Dynamic Shelters Inc. An inflatable containment structure and method for recovering hydrocarbons or toxic fluids leaking from a sub-sea structure

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4047390A (en) * 1974-11-20 1977-09-13 Boyce Ii William D Sea tent
FR2368581A1 (en) * 1976-10-25 1978-05-19 Keruzore Francois Sea-bed oil spill collecting device - comprising flexible plastic funnel sliding on cables anchored to sea:bed
FR2463835A1 (en) * 1979-08-23 1981-02-27 Chastan Bagnis Lucien Reclaiming light liquids as oil for sea-bed - where liq. lighter than water flows naturally upwards through flexible pipe into floating tank
GB1594117A (en) * 1976-11-12 1981-07-30 Coflexip Apparatus for collecting pollutants accidentally spilled in the vicinity of the sea bed
WO1993011305A1 (en) * 1991-12-03 1993-06-10 Hans Seternes Device for deploying a barrier structure in a body of water
WO2000058564A1 (en) * 1999-03-17 2000-10-05 Grinde Bjoern Method and device for the collection of underwater spills and for covering the sea bed
FR2804935A1 (en) * 2000-02-11 2001-08-17 Bouygues Offshore Recovery of pollutants which float on water from a sunken or damaged vessel on the seabed

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4047390A (en) * 1974-11-20 1977-09-13 Boyce Ii William D Sea tent
FR2368581A1 (en) * 1976-10-25 1978-05-19 Keruzore Francois Sea-bed oil spill collecting device - comprising flexible plastic funnel sliding on cables anchored to sea:bed
GB1594117A (en) * 1976-11-12 1981-07-30 Coflexip Apparatus for collecting pollutants accidentally spilled in the vicinity of the sea bed
FR2463835A1 (en) * 1979-08-23 1981-02-27 Chastan Bagnis Lucien Reclaiming light liquids as oil for sea-bed - where liq. lighter than water flows naturally upwards through flexible pipe into floating tank
WO1993011305A1 (en) * 1991-12-03 1993-06-10 Hans Seternes Device for deploying a barrier structure in a body of water
WO2000058564A1 (en) * 1999-03-17 2000-10-05 Grinde Bjoern Method and device for the collection of underwater spills and for covering the sea bed
FR2804935A1 (en) * 2000-02-11 2001-08-17 Bouygues Offshore Recovery of pollutants which float on water from a sunken or damaged vessel on the seabed

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2277547A1 (en) * 2005-11-24 2007-07-01 Bernd Cenro De Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales Y Tecnologicas (C.I.E.M.A.T.) Method for the containment of pollutants present in the aquatic environment and device for implementing same
WO2007060275A3 (en) * 2005-11-24 2007-07-05 Ct Investig Energeticas Ciemat Method for the containment of pollutants present in the aquatic environment and device for implementing same
ES2277547B1 (en) * 2005-11-24 2008-05-16 Bernd Cenro De Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales Y Tecnologicas (C.I.E.M.A.T.) PROCEDURE FOR CONFINING CONTAMINANTS PRESENT IN THE AQUATIC AND DEVICE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR REALIZATION.
WO2009095512A1 (en) * 2008-02-01 2009-08-06 Francisco Rodriguez Rubio Pollutant collection device
ES2330822A1 (en) * 2008-02-01 2009-12-15 Francisco Rodriguez Rubio Pollutant collection device
EP3231987A1 (en) * 2016-04-14 2017-10-18 Dynamic Shelters Inc. An inflatable containment structure and method for recovering hydrocarbons or toxic fluids leaking from a sub-sea structure
US10400411B2 (en) 2016-04-14 2019-09-03 Dynamic Shelters Inc. Structure with supporting inflatable beam members, and method for containing and recovering hydrocarbons or toxic fluids leaking from a compromised sub-sea structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0229907D0 (en) 2003-01-29
GB2396335B (en) 2007-07-04

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20111221