Mooring System For Stabilizing A Vessel, A Vessel, Method For Stabilizing A Vessel And Use Of A Mooring System

Abstract

A mooring system for stabilizing a vessel for handling offshore structures includes at least one mooring unit, a connection mechanism for connecting the mooring unit to the vessel, and a tractive mechanism for stabilizing the vessel by establishing permanent tension in the connection mechanism. Furthermore, the tractive mechanism includes a mechanism for lowering the connected vessel's position in relation to the water level. A method of stabilizing a vessel, a vessel for handling offshore structures and use of a mooring system are also contemplated.

1 . A mooring system for stabilizing a vessel for handling offshore structures, said system comprising
 at least one mooring unit,   connection means for connecting said mooring unit to said vessel,   tractive means for stabilizing said vessel by establishing permanent tension in said connection means, and   wherein said tractive means comprises means for lowering said connected vessel's position in relation to a water level.   
   
   
       2 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mooring system comprises means for changing a buoyancy of said at least one mooring unit. 
   
   
       3 . The mooring system according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for changing the buoyancy comprises means for changing a filler of said mooring unit. 
   
   
       4 . The mooring system according to  claim 3  wherein said means for changing a filler of said mooring unit comprises remotely operated valves and pumps. 
   
   
       5 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mooring unit comprises one or more cavities that can be fully or partly filled and drained with a filler. 
   
   
       6 . The mooring system according to  claim 5 , wherein said mooring unit demonstrates a floating behavior when it is substantially fully filled with air. 
   
   
       7 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one mooring unit comprises at least one suction bucket system. 
   
   
       8 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said connection means for connecting said mooring unit to said vessel comprise at least two separate connection units. 
   
   
       9 . The mooring system according to  claim 8 , wherein said at least two connection units are flexible pulling means suitable for winding on a pulley, winch drum or the like. 
   
   
       10 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said tractive means comprises at least one of the following: one or more winches, one or more pulleys and one or more cranes. 
   
   
       11 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein permanent tension in said connection means is controlled automatically by control means. 
   
   
       12 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mooring unit is adapted to be positioned substantially at the a bottom section of said vessel or in a hollow part of the vessel bottom section during transport. 
   
   
       13 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein physical dimensions of said mooring system is designed as to optimize its hydrodynamic properties. 
   
   
       14 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mooring system can be mounted and dismounted on different vessels. 
   
   
       15 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mooring unit is established and permanently located on a seabed. 
   
   
       16 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mooring unit is a mooring pole mounted on a monopole. 
   
   
       17 . The mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein floating buoys are established together with said connection units. 
   
   
       18 . A vessel for handling offshore structures comprising a mooring system according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       19 . A method for stabilizing a vessel for handling offshore structures, said method comprises the steps of:
 establishing said vessel at a site of operation,   establishing a mooring unit substantially on a seabed, said mooring unit being connected to said vessel by connection means, and   lowering said vessel's position in relation to a water level by pulling said connection means.   
   
   
       20 . The method for stabilizing a vessel according to  claim 19 , wherein said mooring unit is established by changing a buoyancy of said mooring unit. 
   
   
       21 . The method for stabilizing a vessel according to  claim 20 , wherein said buoyancy is changed by changing a filler of said mooring unit. 
   
   
       22 . The method for stabilizing a vessel according to  claim 19 , wherein said establishing a mooring unit substantially on the seabed, further comprises the step of applying suction to one or more suction buckets. 
   
   
       23 . The method for stabilizing a vessel according to  claim 19 , wherein said pulling is performed by winding said connecting means on pulley means. 
   
   
       24 . The method for stabilizing a vessel according to  claim 23 , wherein said pulley means comprises at least one of the following: one or more winches, one or more pulleys and one or more cranes. 
   
   
       25 . Use of a mooring system according to  claim 1  for a vessel for handling offshore wind turbine components.