WO2012138227A1

WO2012138227A1 - Transfer system, ship and method for transferring persons and/or goods to and/or from a floating ship

Info

Publication number: WO2012138227A1
Application number: PCT/NL2012/050238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hendrik Hessels
Original assignee: U-Sea Beheer B.V.
Priority date: 2011-04-08
Filing date: 2012-04-10
Publication date: 2012-10-11

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transfer system, ship and method for transferring persons and/or goods to and/or from a floating ship.The transfer system according to the invention comprises: -a pedestal; -a telescopic boom crane (TBC) connected to the pedestal; -a telescopic gangway (TGW) connected to the pedestal; -a control system for controlling the telescopic boom crane and the telescopic gangway. Goods can be transferred from this floating ship to another floating ship and a platform at shore or off-shore, for example.

Description

TRANSFER SYSTEM, SHIP AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING PERSONS AND/OR GOODS TO AND/OR FROM A FLOATING SHIP

The present invention relates to a transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship. Goods can be transferred from this floating ship to another floating ship and a platform at shore or off-shore, for example.

At present, human transfer from an offshore support vessel or offshore construction vessel to a fixed or other floating unit should take place under very moderated

conditions. In addition, for regular maintenance to

(unmanned) units all kind of human transfer needs to be carried to and from these units. These activities are currently hand carried by workers travelling to the unit with small RIB' s or by means of other access or lifting systems. Boarding of the Accessed Unit (AU) from the small boats can lead to dangerous situations when waves increase. Transfer of good by means of a crane is not always possible. Therefore, boarding of such a unit from other systems, such as a vessel, is too complex and/or not suitable to be on stand-by mode. This may lead to dangerous situations when waves increase and/or bad weather conditions, for example.

The object of the present invention is to provide a transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods to another ship, a floating ship, a platform at shore or offshore .

This object is achieved with a transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship according to the invention, the system comprising:

a pedestal;

a telescopic boom crane connected to the pedestal;

a telescopic gangway connected to the pedestal; a control system for controlling the telescopic boom crane and the telescopic gangway.

The system comprises a fixed or stationary pedestal and two separate subsystems, i.e. an offshore telescopic boom crane (TBC) , and a telescopic gangway below (TGW) . Both systems are installed on a single column, the so-called pedestal. Preferably, the pedestal is fixed to a vessel and capable of luffing and slewing. Preferably, both systems have their own independent main structure. More preferably, the safety control system is synchronized so that both subsystems can work together as one unit. The control system controls the telescopic boom crane and the telescopic gangway movements synchronously.

The TBC supports the TGW during installation and hooks up the accessed unit. The accessed units can be either a quay, a fixed or floating offshore unit (like platform, semi, drillship) , windmill, or another vessel and/or other accessed unit (AU) comprising both AFU (for fixed) and AMU (for motion) accessed units.

The active gangway system (AGT system) according to the invention allows transportation of goods/equipment and/or human transfer from the offshore support vessel (OSV) and/or the offshore construction vessel (OCV) to the accessed unit (AU) . More specific the AGT system enables the OSV and/or OCV to be in continuous contact with the AU, while human transfer is guaranteed.

The goods to transfer include as examples canned fluids, spare parts and paint. Other goods are also possible to transfer with the system according to the invention.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the present invention the AGT system also enables transfer of media fluids like process media, concrete etc. via an umbilical, for example. In a presently preferred embodiment according to the invention the AGT system comprises a double lift system and/or double lift mode.

The double lift system and/or mode allows an operator to load and unload goods up to 2t to the accessed unit, for example. The complete AGT increases the workability of the operator during its activities.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the invention the transfer system comprises connecting means for connecting the system and the accessed unit.

By providing the system with connecting means a

continuous contact between the AGT system and the accessed unit is achieved. In a presently preferred embodiment at least the telescopic beam crane is provided with connecting means. The connecting means supports the TGW. This achieves a stable and robust connection between a floating ship (OCV or OSV) and the accessed unit. The system according to the invention guarantees this connection over a wide range of conditions, including relatively large waves and/or wind and rain.

The AGT system according to the invention provides safe handling of equipment part and/or human transfer to and from the AU, in a preferred embodiment without requiring any (major) modifications needed on the AU. In addition, the system is suitable to be connected during longer operations. In preferred embodiments the AGT system is a modular system that is easy to handle and store, and/or is capable of handling weights up to lOt, and/or allowing continuous human transfer at a safe distance between AU and the floating ship. Preferably, goods can also be transferred by umbilical handling to AU. In a presently preferred embodiment according to the invention the TBC comprises vertical displacement

compensation means.

By providing the vertical displacement compensation means, during transfer of persons and/or goods the TBC is able to compensate the vertical displacements to a

significant extent. In this mode of transferring persons and/or goods the vertical displacement is the largest disturbance. Other displacements and rotations are

relatively limited in this mode. However, according to the invention also compensation means may be provided for other movements. In a presently preferred embodiment the

compensation means comprise an active heave compensator. This compensates at least the vertical movements between the pedestal and the accessed unit. This compensator compensated undesired movement at least in the mode wherein the TBC supports the TGW.

Preferably, the control means interact with the

compensation means to accommodate the operation of the transfer system according to the invention in a relatively wide range of operating or sea conditions. This improves the efficiency of the transfer such that waiting times for safe transport and transfer conditions are significantly reduced. The compensation means, also referred to as Active Motion Compensation (AMC) means, improve the working window of the transfer system by minimizing the relative motion between the pedestal and head platform of the transfer system on one hand and the accessed unit on the other. For example, this reduces downtime of windmills in need of repair.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the invention the TGW comprises supporting means for supporting the TGW after connecting to the AU. The supporting means provide self-supporting functionality to the TGW after connection to the AU. When the TGW goes from the connect or AU mode, wherein the TGW is connected to the AU, into a free floating mode the TGW is capable to compensate the six degrees of freedom (DOF) , i.e. translation and rotation in three directions.

In a presently preferred embodiment according to the invention the TBC comprises a wireline for connection to the AU.

By providing the wireline for the AU mode the TBC has a wireline connection with AU, especially the AMU. Preferably, this wireline connection is achieved by a hoist system for connection to other floating vessels. This system actively translates the displacement in vertical direction.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the transfer system further comprises a power supply.

Instead of using the power supply of the ship and/or shore or platform a separate power supply for the transfer system may be provided. This achieves a stand-alone system. Preferably, the power supply is integrated in the housing of the system thereby achieving a modular system.

The present invention also relates to a ship provided with the above transfer system.

Such ship provides the same effects and advantages as those related to the transfer system. Such ship may relate to an offshore support vessel (OSV) and/or an offshore construction vessel (OCV) .

The invention further also relates to a method for transferring persons and/or goods to and/or from a floating ship using the system as described above.

Such method provides the same effects and advantages as those related to the system and the ship. Further advantages, features and details of the

invention are elucidated on basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a vessel provided with a transfer system according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows the vessel with the TGW connected;

Figure 3 shows an optional detail of the transfer system of figure 1;

- Figures 4-5 show a vessel with a transfer system

according to the invention in a disconnected and connected mode; and

Figure 6 shows some operating modes of the system of figures 4-5.

Vessel 2 (figure 1) is provided with deck 4 on which pedestal 6 is provided. Pedestal 6 comprises telescopic boom crane (TBC) 8 and Telescopic Gangway (TGW) 10. TBC 8 and TGW 10 are both connected to pedestal 6 with separate axes 12, 14 respectively, enabling rotation around substantially a horizontal axis. Pedestal 6 comprises rotating means 16 enabling rotation around a substantially vertical axis 18. TBC 8 comprises a telescopic boom 20 with hoist 22. TGW 10 comprises a telescopic gangway 24 that is provided with supporting means 26. The Telescopic Access Bridge & Crane (TABC) 28 (figure 2) enables transfer of people and/or goods over water 30, for example.

Telescopic boom 20 comprises stationary part 32 (figure 3) and extendable part 34 that are manipulated with cylinder 36 controlling the angle relative to axis 12. Telescopic gangway 24 comprises stationary part 37 and extendable part 38. When positioning TGW 8 hoist 22 connects TGW 10 to TBC 8. Optionally, cylinder 40 or other connecting means

controls the angle relative to axis 14. Controller 42 controls the movement of TBC 8 and TGW 10, for example by controlling cylinder 36 and hoist 22. In the illustrated embodiment controller 42 also controls compensation means 44 for compensating waves in water 30, for example.

According to the invention the illustrated Active

Gangway System 28 takes one or more, and in the illustrated embodiment all, of the following environmental and design conditions into account:

- Highly corrosive marine environment;

Working area world wide, excluding arctic areas;

Ambient temperature -20 degC upto +45 degC;

Structural design temperature -20 degC;

Hazardous area Safe area only; and

- Design life 20 years.

The illustrated system pedestal 6 is provided with two slew bearing systems 46, telescopic offshore crane 8 with Active Heave Control (AHC) 48, a tension controlled

telescopic gangway 10 and a standard container size box (10' ISO container size) 50 with two electrical, frequency controlled hydraulic power units 52.

The illustrated TBC 8 achieves the following

performances :

- SWL lOt

- Minimal operational distance to AU 10 m

Maximum operational distance to AU 30 m

- Operational horizontal angle (SB-PS) -30° to 30°

Weight of system ~ 30t

- Max seastate

The illustrated TGW 10 achieves the following

performances :

- SWL (Human Transfer, HT) It SWL (Fluid media equipment It comprising umbilical 54 (simultaneous operation with HT)

Minimal operational distance to AU 14 m

Maximum operational distance to AU 24 m

- Operational horizontal angle (SB-PS) -20° to 20°

Weight of system ~ 20t.

An alternative system according to the invention relates to Telescoping Access Bridge & Crane (TABC) 56

(figures 4-6) . System 56 has similar components as described for Telescopic Access Bridge & Crane (TABC) 28 and only relevant different and/or additional features will be described .

System 56 comprises support 58 for TGW 10 in the disconnected mode. TGW 10 enables access to unit 60 in the connected mode. In the illustrated embodiment system 56 has a maximum SWL versus radius of 20t at 16 meter and SWL versus maximum radius of 8t at 23 meter. Minimum work radius Rmin is 5.5 meter and maximum work radius Rmax is 23 meter. Hook speed is in the range of 0-15 m/min on average and hook travel is about 200 m single line. Rotating is CW/CCW 1 rpm. Bridge width is 1700 mm, retracted length 20 meter, extended length 32 meter and operational stroke S is 12 meter.

Operational luffing angel a is about plus and minus 15 degrees. Maximum adjusting height is 21.4 meter. The

material of the access bridge 62 is high grade steel. The diameter of pedestal 6 is 2.6 meter. Maximum total length is 35 meter and the maximum height tolerance or operating height H is 16.3 meter.

It will be understood that other dimensions according to the invention are also possible depending on the specific operating conditions, for example.

In the disconnected mode vessel 2 moves towards

accessible unit 60, for example an offshore windmill. Hoist 22 connects TBC 8 and TGW 10 when moving TGW 10 between a connected and disconnected mode. After connecting TGW 10 to unit 60 persons P and/or goods may transfer between vessel 2 and unit 60.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims on the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Transfer system for transferring persons and/or goods from and/or to a floating ship, comprising:

a pedestal;

a telescopic boom crane connected to the pedestal; a telescopic gangway connected to the pedestal;

a control system for controlling the telescopic boom crane and the telescopic gangway.

2. Transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the

system further comprising a umbilical for transfer of media fluids.

3. Transfer system according to claim 2, wherein the

umbilical and the telescopic gangway are part of a double lift system.

4. Transfer system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, the

system further comprising connecting means for

connecting the system to an accessible unit.

5. Transfer system according to any of the foregoing

claims, wherein the telescopic beam crane comprises vertical displacement compensation means.

6. Transfer system according to any of the foregoing

claims, wherein the telescopic gangway comprises supporting means for supporting the telescopic gangway after connecting to an accessible unit.

7. Transfer system according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the telescopic beam crane comprises a wireline for connection to the accessibly unit.

8. Transfer system according to any of the foregoing claims, further comprising a power supply.

9. Ship provided with a transfer system of any of the claims 1-8.

10. Method for transferring persons and/or goods from

and/or to a floating ship, comprising providing a system according to any of the claims 1-8.