Turret mooring apparatus for power plant

Abstract

A turret mooring system for a floating vessel which produces power from on-board power plant is described. The mooring apparatus comprises a turret structure ( 14 ) rotatably mounted on a floating vessel ( 10 ). At least one mooring line is securable to the turret ( 14 ). A riser pipe ( 26 ) extends through the turret ( 14 ) and is securable to the vessel ( 10 ) for rotation therewith relative to the turret ( 14 ). An electrical cable ( 28 ) is connectable to the vessel ( 10 ) and extends into the riser pipe ( 26 ), wherein the cable ( 28 ) is operable to accommodate torsion created in use by rotation of the vessel 910 ) and riser pipe ( 26 ) relative to the turret ( 14 ).

1 . A vessel mooring apparatus comprising a turret structure rotatably mountable to a vessel, at least one mooring line securable to the turret, a riser pipe extending through the turret and securable to the vessel for rotation therewith relative to the turret, and an electrical cable connectable to the vessel and extending into the riser pipe, wherein the cable is operable to accommodate torsion created in use by rotation of the vessel and riser pipe relative to the turret.  
   
   
       2 . A vessel mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical cable is suspended from hang-off means at the top of the riser pipe.  
   
   
       3 . A vessel mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical cable is suspended from hang-off means at the bottom of the riser pipe.  
   
   
       4 . A vessel mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top of the riser pipe is supported on the turret by a roller bearing, whereby the riser pipe is rotatable relative to the turret.  
   
   
       5 . A vessel mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top of the riser pipe is rigidly supported by a support frame mountable directly on the vessel.  
   
   
       6 . A vessel mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the riser pipe is supported by a sliding bearing.  
   
   
       7 . A vessel mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising means to prevent or reduce bending of the electrical cable at the lower end of the riser pipe.  
   
   
       8 . A vessel incorporating a mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       9 . A vessel as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the hang-off means comprises a clamping device.  
   
   
       10 . A vessel mooring apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the hang-off means comprises a clamping device.  
   
   
       11 . A vessel as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising means operable to restore the original heading of the vessel when a maximum permissible rotation relative to the turret has been reached.