Ocean-based device for loading and unloading of ships

Abstract

A device for loading or unloading a ship ( 6 ), wherein a loading pipe or a loading hose ( 12 ) is connected to the ship ( 6 ) via a floating, self-motored coupling unit ( 1 ) designed to be moored to the ship ( 6 ), preferably near the loading manifold ( 18 ) of the ship ( 6 ). The coupling unit ( 1 ) has sufficient propulsive capacity to maintain the ship's ( 6 ) position during the loading operation.

1 . A method of maintaining a ship at a desired position and orientation with respect to currents and weather conditions during loading or unloading of the ship, where use is made of a free-floating coupling unit designed to be moored to the ship, the ship being equipped with bow thrusters and the coupling unit comprising propulsion machinery; said method comprising: 
 maneuvering the ship by utilizing the propulsion machinery of the coupling unit in co-operation with the ship's bow thrusters.    
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said maneuvering step further comprises utilizing propellers of the ship.  
   
   
       3 . A method of maintaining a ship, moored by means of a mooring line, at a desired position and orientation with respect to currents and weather conditions during loading or unloading of the ship, where use is made of a free-floating coupling unit designed to be moored to the ship, the coupling unit comprising propulsion machinery; said method comprising: 
 utilizing the propulsion machinery of the coupling unit in co-operation with the ship's mooring line to maneuver the ship.    
   
   
       4 . A free-floating coupling unit for use in maintaining a ship at a desired position and orientation with respect to currents and weather conditions during loading or unloading of the ship, the coupling unit comprising: 
 a means for mooring the coupling unit to the ship; and,    propulsion machinery, wherein the propulsion machinery is used to maneuver the ship.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the ship is equipped with one or more bow thrusters which work in conjunction with the propulsion machinery to maneuver the ship.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the ship is equipped with one or more propellers which work in conjunction with the propulsion machinery to maneuver the ship.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the ship is moored by means of a mooring line which is used in conjunction with the propulsion machinery to maneuver the ship.