GB2555414A - Improvements in or relating to shipping - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to shipping Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2555414A
GB2555414A GB1618042.4A GB201618042A GB2555414A GB 2555414 A GB2555414 A GB 2555414A GB 201618042 A GB201618042 A GB 201618042A GB 2555414 A GB2555414 A GB 2555414A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vessel
support legs
deck
ballast tanks
cargo
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1618042.4A
Other versions
GB201618042D0 (en
Inventor
Macsween John
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Henry Abram & Sons Ltd
Original Assignee
Henry Abram & Sons Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Henry Abram & Sons Ltd filed Critical Henry Abram & Sons Ltd
Priority to GB1618042.4A priority Critical patent/GB2555414A/en
Publication of GB201618042D0 publication Critical patent/GB201618042D0/en
Publication of GB2555414A publication Critical patent/GB2555414A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/40—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting marine vessels
    • B63B35/42—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting marine vessels with adjustable draught
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/003—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, 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
    • B63C1/00—Dry-docking of vessels or flying-boats
    • B63C1/02—Floating docks
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/021—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto with relative movement between supporting construction and platform
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/04—Equipment specially adapted for raising, lowering, or immobilising the working platform relative to the supporting construction
    • E02B17/08—Equipment specially adapted for raising, lowering, or immobilising the working platform relative to the supporting construction for raising or lowering
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Ship Loading And Unloading (AREA)

Abstract

A vessel 10 comprises a hull 12, a deck 14, and one or more ballast tanks 16. The one or more ballast tanks are located on the deck. The vessel further comprises a plurality of retractable support legs 18. The deck may be a substantially planar rectangular-shaped member and the hull may have a planar bottom surface and a double bottom. The vessel may have a plurality of ballast tanks located on port and starboard sides of the vessel. A method of transferring cargo from a quay (30, Fig 3) to the sea using the vessel is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of transferring cargo from the sea to a quay using the vessel.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Improvements in or relating to shipping
Abstract Title: A vessel with retractable legs and buoyancy tanks for moving cargo between the sea and a quay (57) A vessel 10 comprises a hull 12, a deck 14, and one or more ballast tanks 16. The one or more ballast tanks are located on the deck. The vessel further comprises a plurality of retractable support legs 18. The deck may be a substantially planar rectangular-shaped member and the hull may have a planar bottom surface and a double bottom. The vessel may have a plurality of ballast tanks located on port and starboard sides of the vessel. A method of transferring cargo from a quay (30, Fig 3) to the sea using the vessel is also disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of transferring cargo from the sea to a quay using the vessel.
Figure GB2555414A_D0001
Fig. 1
At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.
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SECONDARY ELEVATION SECONDARY SECTION LOOKING FWD
WATERTIGHT WATERTIGHT ---barrier rig. barrier Fig. 25
Improvements in or relating to shipping
Field of the invention
This invention relates to a vessel, particularly, but not exclusively, a vessel for loading/off-loading cargo, and a method of transferring cargo from a quay to the sea.
Background to the invention
Methods and systems of loading out, moving and floating off large cargoes such as ships are known. Such methods include: (i) dynamic ship launches, where ships are launched down a slip; (ii) building in a dry dock and flooding the same to float the ship up; (iii) building in a floating dock and submerging the floating dock to float the ship off; (iv) building on land and transferring to a semisubmersible barge either using skidding equipment or heavy trailers, and submerging the barge either alongside the point of loading out or at an alternative deepwater location with optional transportation in between; and (v) building on land and transferring to a jackup barge and either lowering off at a location local to the point of loadout or relocating the barge to deeper water and submerging.
While such methods and systems are capable of loading out, moving and floating off large cargoes, they are not suitable in situations where a deep draughted vessel is required to be loaded out from a build point on flat land, such as a quay, into an area of relatively shallow water or where transition to a deepwater location is not desirable.
The inventor has appreciated the shortcomings with such know systems.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vessel comprising: a hull; a deck;
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs.
The one or more ballast tanks may be located above the deck.
The vessel may include one or more caissons. The caissons may be located on each side of the vessel. The one or more ballast tanks may be located in the caissons.
The hull may include one or more ballast tanks therein.
The vessel may be for loading/off-loading cargo. The vessel may be for supporting cargo. The vessel may be a cargo support vessel. The vessel may be for transporting cargo. The cargo may be a vessel, watercraft, oil rigs, machinery, or the like. The cargo may be a structure that may be constructed on land and then required to be transported to another location, or loaded out into the sea.
The deck may be a load deck. The deck may be a cargo support deck. The deck may be located above the hull. The deck may be located immediately above the hull. The deck may be a substantially planar, rectangular-shaped member.
The hull may be a double bottom hull. The hull may be a shallow hull.
The hull may have a substantially planar bottom surface.
The hull may be substantially rectangular in top and bottom views.
The hull may be substantially rectangular in cross section, the section taken from port to starboard of the vessel. The hull may be substantially rectangular in cross section, the section taken from bow to stern of the vessel.
The hull may have a length between 60m and 250m. The hull may have a width of between 15m and 50m.
The hull may have a height (depth) of between 1m and 8m.
The deck may be the upper surface of the hull.
The deck may be substantially planar.
The deck may be substantially rectangular in top and bottom views.
The deck may have a length between 60m and 250m. The deck may 25 have a width of between 10m and 40m.
The one or more ballast tanks may be located on the top surface of the deck of the vessel. The one or more ballast tanks may be located above the top surface of the deck of the vessel. The one or more ballast tanks may therefore be located above the hull of the vessel.
The vessel may include a plurality of ballast tanks.
The ballast tanks may be located on either side of the vessel. The ballast tanks may be located on the port and starboard sides of the vessel.
The ballast tanks may be aligned in series along each side of the vessel. The ballast tanks may be arranged sequentially along each side of the vessel. An equal number of ballast tanks may be located on each side of the vessel. The ballast tanks may face each other across the deck of the vessel. The load deck may be defined by the area between the ballast tanks on each side of the vessel.
The vessel may include sixteen ballast tanks. The vessel may include eight ballast tanks on each side of the vessel. The vessel may include between 1 and 18 ballast tanks on each side of the vessel. Of course, it should be appreciated that the vessel may include any suitable number of ballast tanks.
The vessel may have a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may run along the length of the deck. The longitudinal axis may run from the bow to the stern of the vessel. The vessel may be substantially symmetrical along the longitudinal axis.
The vessel may have a lateral axis. The lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The lateral axis may run from the port side to the starboard side of the vessel. The vessel may be substantially symmetrical along the lateral axis.
The ballast tanks may each have a volume of between 600m3 and 31250m3. The ballast tanks on each side of the vessel may have a total volume of between 600m3 and 31250m3.
Each ballast tank may have a height of between 8m and 25m. However, it should be appreciated that the height of each ballast tank may be less than or greater than this height.
The ballast tanks may be substantially cuboid shaped members, io
The ballast tanks may be individually operable. The ballast tanks may be selectively operable.
The ballast tanks may be located within housing structures. The vessel may include two housing structures located on opposite side of the vessel. The housing structures may house the ballast tanks.
The housing structures may be configured to receive the retractable support legs therethrough. The housing structures may be configured such that the support legs may pass through the housing structures during use. The housing structures may be configured to provide support to the support legs.
The support legs may be configured to provide support to the vessel. The support legs may be configured to raise and lower the vessel. The support legs may be configured to raise and lower the hull and deck of the vessel.
The support legs may be sea bed engaging legs.
The support legs may be operable to move between a first position in which the support legs are engaged with the sea bed and a second position in which the support legs are disengaged from the sea bed.
In the first position the vessel may be jacked upwards and downwards with respect to the support legs. The vessel may be jacked on the support legs. The height of the vessel may be varied with respect to the support legs in this position. The vessel may be raised and lowered with respect to the support legs in this position.
In the second position the vessel may float on the sea. The submersion of the vessel may be controlled by the ballast tanks in this position.
The support legs may be substantially elongate members. The support legs may be substantially cylindrical members. The support legs may have sea bed/ground engaging lower portions. The support legs may have sea bed/ground engaging feet portions.
The support legs may be vertically arranged with respect to the deck of the vessel. The support legs may be perpendicular with respect to the planar top surface of the deck of the vessel.
The support legs may be configured to pass through the deck and hull of the vessel. The support legs may be configured to pass through the housing structures of the vessel. The support legs may be configured to pass through the deck, hull and housing structures of the vessel.
The support legs may be individually operable. The support legs may be selectively operable.
The support legs may have a height (length) of between 18m and 100m. However, it should be appreciated that the support legs may have a height (length) that is less than or greater than this height.
The vessel may further comprise one or more ramps. The ramps may be pivotably connected to the hull or deck. The ramps may be configured to allow loading and off-loading of cargo to the vessel. The cargo may be loaded onto or off of the vessel over the ramp.
io The ramps may be operable to provide a watertight volume between the deck and the housing structures. This allows the vessel to submerge or move safely with heavy cargoes loaded.
The vessel may include a partially enclosed volume located between the deck, housing structures and ends portions of the vessel.
The housing structures may be configured to provide sealed side walls to the vessel. The housing structures may seal the sides of the vessel.
The width of housing structures/ballast tanks may be between 2.5m and 5m. The length of the housing structures/ballast tanks may be between 60m and 250m. The height/depth of the hull may be between 1 m and 8m.
The ratio of the width of the housing structures/ballast tanks to the height/depth of the hull may be between 0.3125 and 5.
The ratio of the length of the housing structures/ballast tanks to the height/depth of the hull may be between 7.5 and 250.
The deck of the vessel may be sealed at the bow or stern end. The vessel may include an end wall which seals the bow or stern end of the vessel.
The ramp may be operable to move from a first position in which cargo may be loaded or off-loaded over the ramp onto or off of the vessel and a second position in which the ramp is raised. In the second position the ramp may be substantially vertical with respect to the deck.
The ramp may seal the deck when it is in the second position.
The ramp may have a height when lifted/raised of between 2m and 10m. However, it should be appreciated that the height of the ramp when lifted may be less than or greater than these heights.
The deck of the vessel may be sealed by the housing structures, the end wall and the ramp. The deck of the vessel may be sealed by the housing structures and two ramps, the ramps being located at the bow and stern ends of the vessel. When the deck of the vessel is sealed sea water is prevented from passing over the deck when the vessel is in transit, and the vessel may be submerged to a depth that would normally flood the deck (i.e. the deck would be below sea level). In this arrangement the deck may be considered as a dry deck.
The vessel may include one or more further ramps. The further ramps may be associated with the initial ramps to offer additional safety or redundancy in the event of failure or collision. The further, or secondary ramps, may operate in the same way as the initial ramps, or first ramps, and provide the same functionality.
The vessel may further comprise a plurality of winches. The winches may be configured to assist load and off-load cargo to the vessel.
The vessel may be configured to support a load of between 10,000kg (1 Ot) and 20Mkg (20,000t).
The vessel may further comprise a control room. The vessel may further comprise control equipment to control the operation of the ballast tanks, ramps and the jacking of the support legs. The control equipment may be io operable to control the pumps of the ballast tanks. The control equipment may be configured to control the operation of the winches. The control equipment may be configured to operate the raising and lowering of the ramps. The control equipment may be located in the control room.
The vessel may be self-powered. The vessel may be self-manoeuvrable.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of transferring cargo from a quay to the sea, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a vessel comprising:
a hull; a deck;
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs;
manoeuvring the vessel to the quay location;
lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed;
raising the vessel on the support legs to align the deck with the quay side;
transferring the cargo from the quay to the deck of the vessel;
operating the ballast tanks in preparation for floating of the vessel; lowering the vessel on the support legs to float the vessel; raising the support legs to disengage the sea bed; manoeuvring the vessel to a desired location;
lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed;
operating the ballast tanks in preparation for at least partial submersion of the vessel;
lowering the vessel to float the cargo; and transferring the cargo from the vessel.
The step of lowering the vessel to float the cargo may include lowering the vessel on the support legs. The step of lowering the vessel to float the cargo may include operating the ballast tanks to at least partially submerge the vessel. The step of lowering the vessel to float the cargo may include a combination of lowering the vessel on the support legs and operating the ballast tanks to at least partially submerge the vessel.
Although the above-recited method recites that the method relates to transferring cargo from a quay to the sea, it should be appreciated that the method is not limited to transferring cargo from a quay to the sea. The method may be applicable to transferring cargo from any other type of portion of land that is providing support to the cargo. The land may be a portion of flat land. This may include a dock, or any other supporting structure upon which the vessel is supported.
Similarly, the method may be applicable to transferring cargo from the sea to land, in the reverse manner outlined above.
The vessel may be held in a fixed position relative to the quay before the cargo is loaded onto the deck. The method may comprise the further step of securing the vessel to the quay before loading of the cargo.
The method may comprise the further step of using winches on the vessel to secure the cargo to the vessel.
The ballast tanks may be at least partially emptied of water before the vessel is raised on the support legs to align the deck with the quay side.
The method may comprise the further step of pumping water from the ballast tanks before raising the vessel on the support legs.
The method may comprise the further step of monitoring the loads transmitted through the support legs as the cargo is loaded onto the vessel.
The method may comprise the further step of operating the ballast tanks to ensure floating of the vessel once lowered on the support legs.
The vessel may be manoeuvred by tug boats, or the like.
The vessel may be secured in a fixed position once it has reached the desired location. The method may comprise the further step of securing the vessel in position at the desired location.
The ballast tanks may be at least partially filled with water before the vessel is at least partially submerged. The method may comprise the further step of pumping water into the ballast tanks before lowering the vessel on the support legs.
The method may comprise the further step of operating the ballast tanks to ensure at least partial submersion of the vessel once lowered on the support legs.
The method may comprise the further step of lowering the vessel such that the hull is in contact with the sea bed. The method may comprise the further step of lowering the vessel such that the hull rests upon the sea bed.
The method may comprise the further step of using the rise of the tide of the sea to lift the cargo from the vessel.
The method may comprise using one or more tug boats to transfer the cargo from the vessel.
The one or more ballast tanks may be located above the deck.
The vessel may include one or more caissons. The caissons may be located on each side of the vessel. The one or more ballast tanks may be located in the caissons.
The hull may include one or more ballast tanks therein.
The vessel may be for loading/off-loading cargo. The vessel may be for supporting cargo. The vessel may be a cargo support vessel. The vessel may be for transporting cargo. The cargo may be a vessel, watercraft, oil rigs, machinery, or the like. The cargo may be a structure that may be constructed on land and then required to be transported to another location, or loaded out into the sea.
The deck may be a load deck. The deck may be a cargo support deck. The deck may be located above the hull. The deck may be located immediately above the hull. The deck may be a substantially planar, rectangular-shaped member.
The hull may be a double bottom hull. The hull may be a shallow hull.
The hull may have a substantially planar bottom surface.
The hull may be substantially rectangular in top and bottom views.
The hull may be substantially rectangular in cross section, the section taken from port to starboard of the vessel. The hull may be substantially rectangular in cross section, the section taken from bow to stern of the vessel.
The hull may have a length between 60m and 250m. The hull may have a width of between 15m and 50m.
The hull may have a height (depth) of between 1m and 8m.
The deck may be the upper surface of the hull.
The deck may be substantially planar.
The deck may be substantially rectangular in top and bottom views.
The deck may have a length between 60m and 250m. The deck may have a width of between 10m and 40m.
The one or more ballast tanks may be located on the top surface of the deck of the vessel. The one or more ballast tanks may therefore be located above the hull of the vessel.
The vessel may include a plurality of ballast tanks.
The ballast tanks may be located on either side of the vessel. The ballast tanks may be located on the port and starboard sides of the vessel.
The ballast tanks may be aligned in series along each side of the vessel. The ballast tanks may be arranged sequentially along each side of the vessel. An equal number of ballast tanks may be located on each side of the vessel. The ballast tanks may face each other across the deck of the vessel. The load deck may be defined by the area between the ballast tanks on each side of the vessel.
The vessel may include eight ballast tanks. The vessel may include four ballast tanks on each side of the vessel. The vessel may include between 1 and 18 ballast tanks on each side of the vessel. Of course, it should be appreciated that the vessel may include any suitable number of ballast tanks.
The vessel may have a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may run along the length of the deck. The longitudinal axis may run from the bow to the stern of the vessel. The vessel may be substantially symmetrical along the longitudinal axis.
The vessel may have a lateral axis. The lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The lateral axis may run from the port side to the starboard side of the vessel. The vessel may be substantially symmetrical along the lateral axis.
Each ballast tank may have a volume of between 600m3 and 31250m3.
The ballast tanks on each side of the vessel may have a total volume of between 600m3 and 31250m3.
Each ballast tank may have a height of between 8m and 25m.
io The ballast tanks may be substantially cuboid shaped members.
The ballast tanks may be individually operable. The ballast tanks may be selectively operable.
The ballast tanks may be located within housing structures. The vessel may include two housing structures located on opposite side of the vessel. The housing structures may house the ballast tanks.
The housing structures may be configured to receive the retractable support legs therethrough. The housing structures may be configured such that the support legs may pass through the housing structures during use. The housing structures may be configured to provide support to the support legs.
The support legs may be configured to provide support to the vessel. The support legs may be configured to raise and lower the vessel. The support legs may be configured to raise and lower the hull and deck of the vessel.
The support legs may be sea bed engaging legs.
The support legs may be operable to move between a first position in which the support legs are engaged with the sea bed and a second position in which the support legs are disengaged from the sea bed.
In the first position the vessel may be jacked upwards and downwards with respect to the support legs. The vessel may be jacked on the support legs. The height of the vessel may be varied with respect to the support legs in this position. The vessel may be raised and lowered with respect to the support legs in this position.
In the second position the vessel may float on the sea. The submersion of the vessel may be controlled by the ballast tanks in this position.
The support legs may be substantially elongate members. The support legs may be substantially cylindrical members. The support legs may have sea bed/ground engaging lower portions. The support legs may have sea bed/ground engaging feet portions.
The support legs may be vertically arranged with respect to the deck of the vessel. The support legs may be perpendicular with respect to the planar top surface of the deck of the vessel.
The support legs may be configured to pass through the deck and hull of the vessel. The support legs may be configured to pass through the housing structures of the vessel. The support legs may be configured to pass through the deck, hull and housing structures of the vessel.
The support legs may be individually operable. The support legs may be selectively operable.
The support legs may have a height (length) of between 18m and 100m. However, it should be appreciated that the support legs may have a height (length) that is less than or greater than this height (length).
The vessel may further comprise one or more ramps. The ramps may be pivotably connected to the hull or deck. The ramps may be configured to allow loading and off-loading of cargo to the vessel. The cargo may be loaded onto or off of the vessel over the ramp.
io
The housing structures may be configured to provide sealed side walls to the vessel. The housing structures may seal the sides of the vessel.
The width of housing structures/ballast tanks may be between 2.5m and 15 5m. The length of the housing structures/ballast tanks may be between
60m and 250m. The height/depth of the hull may be between 1 m and 8m.
The ratio of the width of the housing structures/ballast tanks to the height/depth of the hull may be between 0.3125 and 5.
The ratio of the length of the housing structures/ballast tanks to the height/depth of the hull may be between 7.5 and 250.
The deck of the vessel may be sealed at the bow or stern end. The vessel 25 may include an end wall which seals the bow or stern end of the vessel.
The ramp may be operable to move from a first position in which cargo may be loaded or off-loaded over the ramp onto or off of the vessel and a second position in which the ramp is raised. In the second position the ramp may be substantially vertical with respect to the deck.
The ramp may seal the deck when it is in the second position.
The ramp may have a height when raised of between 2m and 10m.
However, it should be appreciated that the height of the ramp when lifted may be less than or greater than these heights.
The deck of the vessel may be sealed by the housing structures, the end wall and the ramp. The deck of the vessel may be sealed by the housing io structures and two ramps, the ramps being located at the bow and stern ends of the vessel. When the deck of the vessel is sealed sea water is prevented from passing over the deck when the vessel is in transit, and the vessel may be submerged to a depth that would normally flood the deck (i.e. the deck would be below sea level). In this arrangement the deck may be considered as a dry deck.
The vessel may include a partially enclosed volume located between the deck, housing structures and ends portions of the vessel.
The method may include the step of sealing the deck of the vessel with the ramp, or ramps, by raising the ramps to seal against the housing structures.
The method may include the step of lowering the ramp, or ramps, to allow flooding of the deck or clear passage for the cargo for float off.
The vessel may include one or more further ramps. The further ramps may be associated with the initial ramps to offer additional safety or redundancy in the event of failure or collision. The further, or secondary ramps, may operate in the same way as the initial ramps, or first ramps, and provide the same functionality.
The vessel may further comprise a plurality of winches. The winches may be configured to load and off-load cargo to the vessel.
The vessel may be configured to support a load of between 10,000kg (1 Ot) and 20Mkg (20,000t).
io The vessel may further comprise a control room. The vessel may further comprise control equipment to control the operation of the ballast tanks, ramps, and the jacking of the support legs. The control equipment may be operable to control the pumps of the ballast tanks. The control equipment may be configured to control the operation of the winches. The control equipment may be configured to operate the raising and lowering of the ramps. The control equipment may be located in the control room.
The vessel may be self-powered. The vessel may be self-manoeuvrable.
Embodiments the second aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of transferring cargo from a quay to the sea, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a vessel comprising:
a hull; a deck:
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs; manoeuvring the vessel to the quay location;
lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed;
aligning the deck with the quay side;
transferring the cargo from the quay to the deck of the vessel; lowering the vessel on the support legs to float the vessel; raising the support legs to disengage the sea bed;
manoeuvring the vessel to a desired location;
lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; lowering the vessel to float the cargo; and transferring the cargo from the vessel.
The step of lowering the vessel to float the cargo may include lowering the vessel on the support legs. The step of lowering the vessel to float the cargo may include operating the ballast tanks to at least partially submerge the vessel. The step of lowering the vessel to float the cargo may include a combination of lowering the vessel on the support legs and operating the ballast tanks to at least partially submerge the vessel.
Embodiments the third aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the present invention or its embodiments.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of transferring cargo from the sea to a quay, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a vessel comprising: a hull:
a deck;
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs;
manoeuvring the vessel to the sea location;
lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; lowering the vessel to submerge the deck; floating the cargo into the vessel;
raising the vessel to engage the deck with the cargo;
raising the support legs to float the vessel;
manoeuvring the vessel to the quay location; lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; aligning the deck with the quay side; and transferring the cargo from the vessel to the quay.
The step of lowering the vessel to submerge the deck may include lowering the vessel on the support legs. The step of lowering the vessel to submerge the deck may include operating the ballast tanks to submerge the vessel. The step of lowering the vessel to submerge the deck may include a combination of lowering the vessel on the support legs and operating the ballast tanks to submerge the vessel.
Embodiments the fourth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second or third aspects of the present invention or its embodiments.
Brief description of the drawings
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vessel according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a lower perspective view of the vessel of Fig. 1;
Figs 3 to 17 are in-use top and side elevation illustrations of the vessel loading on and loading off cargo;
Figs. 18 to 22 illustrate alternate embodiments of the vessel of Fig.
1; and
Figs. 23 to 27 illustrate further alternate embodiments of the vessel io of Figs 18 to 22.
Description of preferred embodiments
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the vessel 10 comprises a hull 12, a deck 14, a plurality of ballast tanks 16 and a plurality of retractable support legs 18.
In the following description the vessel 10 is illustrated and described as for loading and off-loading a ship. However, it should be appreciated that the vessel may be operable to load and off-load other cargo, such as oil rigs, other watercraft and other types of structures that are constructed on land and then required to be transported to another location and loaded out into the sea.
The vessel 10 of the present invention is capable of receiving and supporting cargo loaded onto the deck 14 of the vessel 10. The vessel 10 is also capable of safely transporting the cargo to a new location and offloading the cargo.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the hull 12 is a shallow hull. The hull 12 is also a double bottom hull. The height (depth) of the hull 12 is 4m.
However, it should be appreciated that the height (depth) of the hull 12 may be between 1m and 8m, or more. The hull 12 has a length of 120m and a width of 38m. However, it should be appreciated that the hull 12 may have a length of between 60m and 250m and a width of between
15m and 50m. The hull 12 is therefore rectangular when viewed in plan from either top or bottom.
It will also be appreciated that the hull 12 is rectangular in cross section across both the port 12a to starboard side 12b of the vessel 10 and the io bow 12c to stern 12d ends of the vessel 10.
As best illustrated in Fig. 2, the lower surface 12e of the hull 12 is planar.
The deck 14 is located above the hull 12 and has a substantially planar 15 load surface 14a. The deck 14 may be formed as part of the hull 12. The deck 14 may have a length of 120m and a width of 30m. The deck 14 may have a length between 60m and 250m. The deck 14 may have a width of between 10m and 40m. The deck 14 is therefore rectangular when viewed in plan from either top or bottom. It should, of course, be appreciated that the deck 14 may have any other suitable shape as required by the vessel 10.
As best illustrated in Fig. 1, the vessel includes two ballast tank housing structures (caissons) 20. The housing structures 20 house the ballast tanks 16 therein. The housing structures 20 are located on opposite sides of the vessel 10.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the vessel 10 comprises eight ballast tanks 16 located on each side of the vessel 10. The vessel
10 therefore has sixteen ballast tanks 16 in total. However, it should be appreciated that the vessel 10 may include any required number of ballast tanks 16.
As best illustrated in Fig. 1, the ballast tanks 16 are located on the deck 14 of the vessel 10. The ballast tanks 16 are therefore located above the hull 12 of the vessel 10.
The ballast tanks 16 are positioned in series along the port 12a and starboard 12b sides of the vessel 10. The area between the two series of io ballast tanks 16 defines the load area of the deck 14.
The vessel 10 has a longitudinal axis 22 and a lateral axis 24, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The longitudinal axis 22 runs in the direction of the bow 12c to stern 12d of the vessel 10 and the lateral axis 24 runs in the direction of the port side 12a to starboard side 12b of the vessel 10. As will be appreciated from the figures, the vessel is substantially symmetrical along both longitudinal axes 22 and 24.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here each ballast tank 16 has an approximate volume of 600m3 and an approximate length, width and height of 12.5m x 4m x 12m. The ballast tanks 16 are cuboid-shaped. However, it should be appreciated that the ballast tanks 16 may be any suitable shape.
Each ballast tank 16 is individually operable. That is, each ballast tank 16 may be selectively operable. Ballast water is pumped into and out of each ballast tank 16, as is known in the art.
The support legs 18 are configured to provide support to the vessel 10.
That is, the support legs 18 are configured to provide support to hull 12, deck 14, ballast tanks 16 and cargo (when loaded on the vessel 10). As described further below, the support legs 18 are operable to raise and lower the vessel 10. The vessel 10 is therefore jackable on the support legs 18.
The support legs 18 are retractable. That is, each support leg 18 may be raised and lowered with respect to the vessel 10. It should be appreciated that each support leg 18 is moveable with respect to the hull 12, deck 14 and ballast tanks 16 of the vessel 10.
io
Each support leg 18 may be moveable between a first position in which the support legs 18 are engaged with the sea bed and a second position in which the support legs 18 are disengaged from the sea bed.
In the first position the vessel 10 may be jacked upwards and downwards on the support legs 18. The height of the vessel 10 may be varied with respect to the support legs 18 in this position. That is, the vessel 10 may be raised and lowered with respect to the support legs 18 in this position.
In the second position the vessel 10 may float on the sea. As described further below, in this position the submersion of the vessel 10 is controlled by the ballast tanks 16.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the support legs 18 are elongate cylindrical members. However, it should be appreciated that the support legs 18 may take any suitable form for engaging with the sea bed and providing support to the vessel 10.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the support legs 18 are arranged such that they are substantially perpendicular to the deck 14 of the vessel 10. The support legs 18 are configured such that they may pass through the deck 14 and the hull 12 of the vessel 10. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the support legs 18 also pass through the ballast housing structures 20. However, it should be appreciated that other arrangements of the support legs 18 are possible.
As stated above, the vessel 10 may be jacked on the support legs 18. Jacking of vessels on support legs is known in the art and no further description of the equipment or methods used will be provided here.
io However, it should be appreciated that vessel 10 includes all necessary jacking equipment to allow the vessel 10 to be jacked on the support legs
18.
Each support leg 18 may be independently operable. That is, each support leg 18 may be raised or lowered with respect to the vessel 10.
This allows fine control of the engagement of the support leg 18 with the sea bed during use.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the support legs have a height (length) of 30m. However, it should be appreciated that the height (length) of the support legs 18 may be between 18m and 100m.
The width of housing structures/ballast tanks 20, 16 may be between 2.5m and 5m, the length of the housing structures/ballast 20, 16 tanks may be between 60m and 250m, and the height/depth of the hull 12 may be between 1m and 8m.
The ratio of the width of the housing structures/ballast tanks 20, 16 to the height/depth of the hull 12 may be between 0.3125 and 5.
The ratio of the length of the housing structures/ballast tanks 20, 16 to the height/depth of the hull 12 may be between 7.5 and 250.
The vessel 10 may further comprise a plurality of winches 26 that are 5 configured to assist with the loading and off-loading cargo to the vessel
10.
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the vessel 10 is configured to support a maximum cargo load of 10,000Te. However, it io should be appreciated that the vessel 10 may be configured to support a maximum cargo load of up to 20,000Te, or more.
The vessel 10 also further comprises a control room 28. The control room 28 housing control equipment (not illustrated) to control the operation of the ballast tanks 16, the support legs 18, the winches 26 and ramps 48, as described below.
With reference to Figs. 3 to 17, operation of the vessel 10 to load and offload cargo from a quay, or quayside 30, will now be described.
In the example illustrated here a ship 32 has been constructed on land and has been moved by SPMTs 40 (self-propelled modular transporters) (or skidders, or the like) into a position of the quay 30 ready for loading onto the vessel 10.
Stage 1: Position Vessel at Load-Out Berth
The vessel 10 is manoeuvred by tug boats 34 such that it is aligned with one end adjacent the quay 30. In this arrangement the longitudinal axis
22 of the vessel is substantially perpendicular to the edge surface of the quay 30 and substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis 32a of the ship 32. In this arrangement the vessel 10 is positioned at the load-out berth. The vessel 10 is moored to the quay 30 in this position. This is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.
The support legs 18 are then lowered to make contact with the sea bed
36. Once the support legs 18 are in good engagement with the sea bed 36 the vessel 10 (hull 12, deck 14 and ballast tanks 16) are jacked up on the support legs 18, such that the deck 14 is level with the quay 30. This io position is illustrated in Fig. 6.
Stage 2: Final Preparations for Load-Out
With the vessel 10 arranged such that the deck 14 is level with the quay
30, linkspand boards 38 are positioned between the vessel 10 and the quay 30, and the ship 32 is positioned adjacent the vessel 10 ready for loading onto the vessel 10. Again, the longitudinal axis 22 of the vessel is collinear with the longitudinal axis 32a of the ship 32. This is illustrated in Fig. 5.
Stage 3: Load-Out and SMPT Removal
The ship 32 is then loaded onto the vessel 10 using the SMPTs 40. The SMPTs 40 move the ship 32 on its cradles 32a. This is illustrated in Fig. 8.
The loads on the support legs 18 are monitored during this process. Once the ship 32 is loaded onto the vessel 10 the SMPTs 40 are removed. This is illustrated in Fig. 7.
In this position the support legs 18 provide support to the vessel 10 and the ship 32.
The ballast tanks 16 are then operated to allow floating of the vessel 10 once lowered on the sea.
The vessel 10 is then jacked down on the support legs 18. That is, the vessel 10 is lowered towards the sea. The vessel 10 is lowered onto the sea such that it begins to float. Once the vessel 10 is floating on the sea the support legs 18 are jacked up. That is, the support legs 18 are raised such that they are no longer in engagement with the sea bed 36. This is io illustrated in Fig. 10.
Stage 4: Vessel Towed Down River
The vessel 10 is then untied from the quay 30 and the vessel is towed towards the sea, or other off-loading location, by tug boats 34. This is illustrated in Fig. 9.
Stage 5: Vessel Positioned Alongside Float-Off Berth
The vessel 10 is then manoeuvred by tug boats 34 such that it is aligned with one side adjacent a quay 42 at the desired location. In this arrangement the longitudinal axis 22 of the vessel is substantially parallel to the edge surface of the quay 42. In this arrangement the vessel 10 is positioned at the float-out berth. The vessel 10 is moored to the quay 30 in this position. This is illustrated in Fig. 11
The support legs 18 are then lowered to make contact with the sea bed 36. This is illustrated in Fig. 12.
Stage 6: Ship Begins to Float
Once the support legs 18 are in good engagement with the sea bed 36 the ballast tanks 16 are operated to allow at least partial submersion, or total submersion, of the hull 12 and deck 12 in the sea. The vessel 10 is then jacked-down on the support legs 18. That is, the vessel 10 is lowered on the support legs 18. In the embodiment illustrated and described here the vessel 10 is lowered until the hull 12 is located on the sea bed 36. This is illustrated in Fig. 13 (cross-sectional view for clarity). It should, however, be appreciated that the vessel 10 may not necessarily be required to be io lowered as far as the sea bed 36.
In this position the ship 32 begins to float on the sea.
Stage 7: Tide Lifts Ship Off Cradles
In the embodiment illustrated and described here the ship 32 is fully lifted from its cradles 32a and may be transferred from the vessel 10 to the sea.
Stage 8: Ship Ready to Tow Astern
As illustrated in Fig. 15, the ship 32 is held in position by tugger lines 44 between the ship 32 and the winches 26 of the vessel 10. Tug boats 34 are then connected to the ship 32. This is illustrated in Fig. 15.
Stage 9: Ship Towed Aft On Bow and Stern Tugs
As illustrated in Fig. 16, the ship 32 is transferred from the vessel 10 to the sea. The ship 32 is guided by the tugger lines 44 and roller fenders 46.
Stage 10: Ship Berthed Against Fenders
As illustrated in Fig. 17, the ship 32 is berthed against the quay 42.
The vessel 10 is then jacked-up on the support legs 18 and the ballast tanks 16 operated to allow the vessel 10 to float on the sea. The support legs 18 are then fully raised and the vessel 10 may be relocated to a new position ready for re-use.
The process for transferring cargo from the sea to a quay is essentially the io reverse of the process described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures.
A summary of this process is provided below:
The vessel 10 is manoeuvred to the sea location; the support legs 18 are then lowered to engage the sea bed; the vessel 10 is then lowered to submerge the deck 14 using the support legs 18 and/or the ballast tanks 16; the cargo is then floated into the vessel 10 above the deck 14; the vessel 10 is then raised on the support legs 18 to engage the deck 14 with the cargo; the support legs 18 are then raised to float the vessel 10; the vessel 10 is then manoeuvred to the quay 30; the support legs 18 are then lowered to engage the sea bed and support the vessel 10; the deck 14 is then aligned with the quay side; and the cargo is then transferred from the vessel 10 to the quay 30.
Figs. 18 to 22 illustrate alternate embodiments of the vessel 10 of Figs. 1 to 17. The vessel 100 of Figs. 18 to 22 is identical to the vessel 10 of Figs 1 to 17, with the exception of a ramp 48 located at the stern 12d (or bow 12c). The ramp 48 is pivotably connected to the hull 12, or deck 14. The ramp 48 may be configured to allow loading and off-loading of cargo to the vessel 100. The ramp 48 may be used instead of the linkspand boards 38.
The ramp 48 may have a raised height of 5m. The ramp 48 may have a raised height of between 2m and 10m.
The ramp 48 is operable to move from a first position in which cargo may be loaded or off-loaded over the ramp 48 onto or off of the vessel 100 and a second position in which the ramp 48 is raised. In the second position io the ramp 48 may be substantially vertical with respect to the deck 14. The ramp 48 also seals the deck 14 when it is in the second position.
The housing structures 20 may be configured to provide sealed side walls to the vessel 100. That is the housing structures 20 seal the sides of the vessel 100 and prevent water flowing onto the deck 14.
In addition to the ramp 48, the deck 14 of the vessel 100 is sealed at the opposite end by a wall 50.
The deck 14 of the vessel 100 may be sealed by the housing structures 20, the ramp 48 and the end wall 50. Where the end wall 50 is replaced with a further ramp 48 (Fig. 19), the deck 14 of the vessel 100 may be sealed by the housing structures 20 and two ramps 48, the ramps 48 being located at the bow 12c and stern ends 12d of the vessel 100. The ramps 48 are operable to provide a watertight volume between the deck 14 and the housing structures 20. This allows the vessel 100 to submerge or move safely with heavy cargoes loaded.
When the deck 14 of the vessel 100 is sealed sea water is prevented from passing over the deck 14 when the vessel 100 is in transit. The vessel
100 may also be submerged to a depth that would normally flood the deck 14 (i.e. the deck 14 would be below sea level). In this arrangement the deck 14 may be considered as a dry deck.
Figs. 23 to 27 illustrate alternate embodiments of the vessel 100 of Figs.
to 22. The vessel 100’ of Figs. 23 to 27 is identical to the vessel 100 of Figs 18 to 22, with the exception of a further (secondary) ramp 48’ located at the stern 12d (or bow 12c). The further (secondary) ramp 48’ may be considered as back-up ramps as a safety feature, where the primary io ramps 48 are not able to be used, due to a malfunction, damage, or the like.
The operation and functionality of the ramp 48’ is the same as the ramp 48 of the previous embodiment.
The ramp 48’ is pivotably connected to the hull 12, or deck 14. The ramp 48’ may be configured to allow loading and off-loading of cargo to the vessel 100’. The ramp 48’ may be used instead of the linkspand boards 38.
The ramp 48’ may have a raised height of 5m. The ramp 48’ may have a raised height of between 2m and 10m.
The ramp 48’ is operable to move from a first position in which cargo may be loaded or off-loaded over the ramp 48’ onto or off of the vessel 100’ and a second position in which the ramp 48’ is raised. In the second position the ramp 48’ may be substantially vertical with respect to the deck
14. The ramp 48’ also seals the deck 14 when it is in the second position.
The housing structures 20 may be configured to provide sealed side walls to the vessel 100’. That is the housing structures 20 seal the sides of the vessel 100’ and prevent water flowing onto the deck 14.
In addition to the ramp 48’, the deck 14 of the vessel 100’ is sealed at the opposite end by a wall 50.
The deck 14 of the vessel 100’ may be sealed by the housing structures 20, the ramp 48’ and the end wall 50. Where the end wall 50 is replaced io with a further ramp 48’ (Fig. 24), the deck 14 of the vessel 100’ may be sealed by the housing structures 20 and two ramps 48’, the ramps 48’ being located at the bow 12c and stern ends 12d of the vessel 100’. The ramps 48’ are operable to provide a watertight volume between the deck 14 and the housing structures 20. This allows the vessel 100’ to submerge or move safely with heavy cargoes loaded.
When the deck 14 of the vessel 100’ is sealed sea water is prevented from passing over the deck 14 when the vessel 100’ is in transit. The vessel 100’ may also be submerged to a depth that would normally flood the deck
14 (i.e. the deck 14 would be below sea level). In this arrangement the deck 14 may be considered as a dry deck.
The vessel 10, 100, 100’ of the present invention addresses the problem of loading out, moving and floating off large cargoes in areas where there are draught or water depth restrictions. The vessel 10, 100, 100’ of the present invention solves the problem of getting deep draughted vessels into water from a build point on flat land in areas of relatively shallow water.
Providing a vessel 10, 100, 100’ as described above with a plurality of ballast tanks 16 located on the deck allows the vessel 10, 100, 100’ allows the vessel 10, 100, 100’ to have a shallow hull 12. Providing the vessel 10, 100, 100’ with retractable legs 18 allows the vessel 10, 100, 100’ to be raised such that the deck 14 can be made level with the quay 30.
Provided the support legs 18 can be made long enough, the vessel 10,
100, 100’ can operate with a quay of almost any height. The fact that the hull 12 is shallow allows the deck 14 of the vessel 10, 100, 100’ to be lowered very close to the sea bed, which allows vessels with large io draughts to float off in areas of relatively shallow water.
The vessel 10, 100, 100’ of the present invention is also very stable. This is due to the ballast tanks 16 (and housing structures 20) being locate on the sides of the vessel 10, 100. This allows for easy transportation of the vessel 10, 100 when loaded with cargo.
The vessel 10, 100, 100’ of the present invention provides for a high ratio of cargo loadout capacity over hull depth (i.e. it can carry higher loads on much shallower hulls than known vessels). This is due to the ability to raise the vessel 10, 100, 100’ using the support legs 18 and then sail without additional buoyancy from the ballast tanks 16 and the sealed deck 14, if sealed by ramps 48, 48’. The vessel 10, 100, 100’ provides the ability to transport these cargo loads with the hull 12 of the vessel 10, 100, 100’ either partially or fully submerged safely. The vessel 10, 100, 100’ also provides a complete working deck for winches 26 and access along the full length of the loaded cargo or barge. The vessel 10, 100, 100’ also provides the ability to switch from jack-up to ballast modes for submerging and the flexibility offered by a jack-up system for loading out cargo from higher quays than a semisubmersible can achieve alone. The vessel 10,
100 100’ also overcomes the restriction for shallow water floatoff by providing a very shallow deck 14 due to the addition of stability from either the ballast tanks 16 and the end sealed ramps 48, 48’, if used.
The ballast tanks 16 offer the following advantages: (i) they offer stability where a hull is not deep enough to offer stability on its own, (ii) they offer the ability to submerge a vessel to remove/load cargo in situations where the support legs cannot be used, and (iii) allow, with the addition of bow and stern ramps, the ability to reduce the deck depth even further by offering an enclosed, but floodable, if needed volume (i.e. the deck can be io well below the waterline, so the cargo carrying capacity is even greater.
Modifications may be made to the foregoing embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the vessel 10, 100 has been illustrated and described above as being used to load out a ship 32, it should be appreciated that the vessel 10, 100 may be used to load out other structures that are constructed on land and are required to be located at sea.
Furthermore, although the vessel 10, 100 has been illustrated and described above as including housing structures 20 to house the ballast tanks 16, it should be appreciated that these may not be necessary. In which case, the ballast tanks 16 may be located directly on the deck 14 of the vessel 10, 100. In this arrangement the ballast tanks 16 may take the same shape as the housing structures 20, or any other suitable shape.
Also, although the hull has been described above as having a length between 60m and 250m, and a width of between 15m and 50m, it should be appreciated that the length and width of the hull may be less than or greater than these sizes. Similarly, although the deck has been described above as having a length between 60m and 250m, and a width of between
10m and 40m, it should be appreciated that the length and width of the deck may be less than or greater than these sizes. Also, although the hull has been described above has having a height (thickness) of between 1m and 8m, it should be appreciated that the height (thickness) may be less than or greater than these sizes.

Claims (44)

Claims
1. A vessel comprising: a hull;
a deck;
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs.
2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the deck is a substantially planar, rectangular-shaped member.
3. The vessel of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hull has a substantially planar bottom surface.
4. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the hull is a substantially cuboid shaped member.
5. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the hull has a double bottom.
6. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the hull is substantially rectangular in cross section across sections taken from port to starboard of the vessel and bow to stern of the vessel.
7. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the hull has a height of between 1m and 8m.
8. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more ballast tanks are located on the top surface of the deck of the vessel.
9. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the vessel includes a plurality of ballast tanks, with an equal, or non-equal, number of ballast tanks being located on either side of the vessel.
10. The vessel of claim 9, wherein the ballast tanks are located on the port and starboard sides of the vessel.
11. The vessel of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the ballast tanks are 10 aligned in series along each side of the vessel.
12. The vessel of any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the load deck is defined by the area between the ballast tanks on each side of the vessel.
15
13. The vessel of any of claims 9 to 12, wherein each ballast tank has a volume of between 600m3 and 31250m3.
14. The vessel of any of claims 9 to 13, wherein each ballast tank has a height of between 8m and 25m.
15. The vessel of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein each ballast tank is a substantially cuboid shaped member.
16. The vessel of any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the ballast tanks are 25 located within housing structures.
17. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs are configured to provide support to the vessel.
18. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs are configured to raise and lower the vessel.
19. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs are 5 operable to move between a first position in which the support legs are engaged with the sea bed and a second position in which the support legs are disengaged from the sea bed.
20. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs and 10 vessel are configured to allow the vessel to be raised and lowered with respect to the support legs.
21. The vessel of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein when the support legs are in the second position the vessel may float on the sea.
22. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs are arranged vertically and perpendicularly with respect to the deck of the vessel.
20
23. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs are configured to pass through the deck and hull of the vessel.
24. The vessel of any of claims 16 to 23, wherein the support legs are configured to pass through the housing structures of the vessel.
25. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs are individually operable to move between the first position and the second position.
26. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the support legs have a length of between 18m and 100m.
27. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the vessel further comprises a pivotable ramp connected to one end of the deck and a wall connected at the opposite end of the deck, the ramp being configured to allow loading and off-loading of cargo over the ramp.
28. The vessel of any of claims 16 to 27, wherein the deck of the vessel is sealable by the housing structures, the end wall and the ramp.
29. The vessel of claim 27 or 28, wherein the vessel comprises two ramps, one located at the bow end of the vessel and the other located at the stern end of the vessel.
30. The vessel of any of claims 16 to 29, wherein the ratio of the width of the housing structures to the depth of the hull is between 0.3125 and 5 and/or the ratio of the length of the housing structures to the depth of the hull is between 7.2 and 250.
31. The vessel of any of claims 27 to 30, wherein the ramp has a height of between 2m and 10m.
32. The vessel of any of claims 29 to 31, wherein the deck of the vessel is sealable by the housing structures and the two ramps.
33. The vessel of any preceding claim, wherein the vessel further comprises a control room, the control room being configured to operate control equipment to control the operation of the ballast tanks and support legs.
34. A method of transferring cargo from a quay to the sea, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a vessel comprising: a hull; a deck;
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs; manoeuvring the vessel to the quay location; lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; raising the vessel on the support legs to align the deck with the quay side;
transferring the cargo from the quay to the deck of the vessel; operating the ballast tanks in preparation for floating of the vessel; lowering the vessel on the support legs to float the vessel; raising the support legs to disengage the sea bed;
manoeuvring the vessel to a desired location; lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; operating the ballast tanks in preparation for at least partial submersion of the vessel;
lowering the vessel to float the cargo; and transferring the cargo from the vessel.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the method comprises the further step of pumping water from the ballast tanks before raising the vessel on the support legs.
36. The method of claim 34 or claim 35, wherein the method comprises the further step of monitoring the loads transmitted through the support legs and adjusting the level of ballast as the cargo is loaded onto the vessel.
37. The method of any of claims 34 to 36, wherein the method comprises the further step of operating the ballast tanks to ensure floating of the vessel once lowered on the support legs.
38. The method of any of claims 34 to 37, wherein the ballast tanks are at least partially filled with water before the vessel is at least partially submerged.
39. The method of any of claims 34 to 38, wherein the method comprises the further step of operating the ballast tanks to ensure at least partial submersion of the vessel once lowered on the support legs.
40. The method of any of claims 34 to 39, wherein the method comprises the further step of lowering the vessel such that the hull is in contact with the sea bed.
41. The method of any of claims 34 to 40, wherein the method the method comprises the further step of using the rise of the tide of the sea to lift the cargo from the vessel.
42. The method of any of claims 34 to 41, wherein the step of lowering the vessel to float the cargo includes lowering the vessel on the support legs, or operating the ballast tanks to at least partially submerge the vessel.
43. A method of transferring cargo from a quay to the sea, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a vessel comprising: a hull; a deck;
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs; manoeuvring the vessel to the quay location; lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; aligning the deck with the quay side;
transferring the cargo from the quay to the deck of the vessel; lowering the vessel on the support legs to float the vessel; raising the support legs to disengage the sea bed; manoeuvring the vessel to a desired location; lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; lowering the vessel to float the cargo; and transferring the cargo from the vessel.
44. A method of transferring cargo from the sea to a quay, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a vessel comprising: a hull; a deck;
one or more ballast tanks, the one or more ballast tanks being located on the deck; and a plurality of retractable support legs; manoeuvring the vessel to the sea location; lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; lowering the vessel to submerge the deck; floating the cargo into the vessel; raising the vessel to engage the deck with the cargo;
raising the support legs to float the vessel; manoeuvring the vessel to the quay location; lowering the support legs to engage the sea bed; aligning the deck with the quay side; and
5 transferring the cargo from the vessel to the quay.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1618042.4 Examiner: Mr Richard Collins
GB1618042.4A 2016-10-25 2016-10-25 Improvements in or relating to shipping Withdrawn GB2555414A (en)

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GB2555414A true GB2555414A (en) 2018-05-02

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WO2020260011A1 (en) 2019-06-26 2020-12-30 Tractebel Overdick GmbH Installation arrangement with jack-up rig and a barge and a method for setting up the installation arrangement
WO2022260598A3 (en) * 2021-06-11 2023-02-16 Keppel Fels Ltd Structurally integrated mooring dolphins for nearshore development

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JPH0185199U (en) * 1987-11-30 1989-06-06
EP1795443A1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-13 CMC-Chartering & MarineConsultants A/S Vessel for transport and handling means offshore, method and uses hereof
WO2012175091A1 (en) * 2011-06-21 2012-12-27 Logima Aps A self-propelled offshore wind farm installation vessel, and method of installation used in the construction of an offshore wind turbine farm
CN105836061A (en) * 2016-03-21 2016-08-10 中国船舶工业集团公司第七○八研究所 Self-lifting semi-submersible type underwater working platform

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0185199U (en) * 1987-11-30 1989-06-06
EP1795443A1 (en) * 2005-12-08 2007-06-13 CMC-Chartering & MarineConsultants A/S Vessel for transport and handling means offshore, method and uses hereof
WO2012175091A1 (en) * 2011-06-21 2012-12-27 Logima Aps A self-propelled offshore wind farm installation vessel, and method of installation used in the construction of an offshore wind turbine farm
CN105836061A (en) * 2016-03-21 2016-08-10 中国船舶工业集团公司第七○八研究所 Self-lifting semi-submersible type underwater working platform

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020260011A1 (en) 2019-06-26 2020-12-30 Tractebel Overdick GmbH Installation arrangement with jack-up rig and a barge and a method for setting up the installation arrangement
DE102019117268A1 (en) * 2019-06-26 2020-12-31 Tractebel Overdick GmbH Installation arrangement with jack-up platform and a barge and a method for assembling the installation arrangement
US11795647B2 (en) 2019-06-26 2023-10-24 Tractebel Overdick GmbH Installation arrangement with jack-up rig and a barge and a method for setting up the installation arrangement
DE102019117268B4 (en) 2019-06-26 2024-09-26 Tractebel Overdick GmbH Installation arrangement with jack-up platform and a barge and a method for setting up the installation arrangement
WO2022260598A3 (en) * 2021-06-11 2023-02-16 Keppel Fels Ltd Structurally integrated mooring dolphins for nearshore development

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