2 step cam mooring system

Abstract

A mooring system includes a vessel and a elongate mooring column having an upper end connected to an arm on the vessel projecting from the vessel bow and a lower end connected to the sea bed via anchor lines, characterized in that the arm is pivotable around a transverse axis.

1 . Mooring system comprising a vessel ( 5 ) and a elongate mooring column ( 10 ) having an upper end ( 12 ) connected to an arm ( 1 ) on the vessel ( 5 ) projecting from the vessel bow ( 15 ) and a lower end connected to the sea bed via anchor lines ( 9 ), characterised in that the arm ( 1 ) is pivotable arond a transverse axis ( 16 ). 
     
     
         2 . Mooring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm ( 1 ) comprises a displacment member( 2 , 3 ) for moving the arm in a length direction of the vessel ( 5 ) between a retracted position in which the arm ( 1 ) for at least a larger part extends inboard of the vessel and a mooring position in which the arm ( 1 ) projects outboard from the bow ( 15 ). 
     
     
         3 . Mooring system according to  claim 1  wherein the arm ( 1 ) can pivot along axis ( 16 ) in an upward direction relative to the horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . Mooring system according to  claim 1  wherein the arm ( 1 ) is displaceable in the length direction via a pinion system ( 17 , 18 ). 
     
     
         5 . Mooring system for mooring a vessel ( 5 ) according to  claim 4  the mooring column being pivotable about a pair of horizontal axes relative to the vessel; a plurality of chains having upper ends coupled to the lower end of said mooring column, said chains extending in catenary curves to the sea floor and giving the restoring force required to keep the vessel moored once connected; the mooring column being free of attachment to any buoyant body, the column is being self-buoyant and holding up the chains weight at the bottom and restraining the chains from drifting, characterized in that after the connection of the vessel with the mooring column lifting up of the chains and the mooring column is realized by the use of the pivoting arm only, the pivoting of the arm being able to apply the required tension. 
     
     
         6 . Mooring system for mooring a vessel as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the pivoting arm is also retractable so that it can be move forward to its operating position projecting beyond the vessel's bow and backwards so that it does not project beyond the vessel's bow during transit. 
     
     
         7 . Method for mooring a vessel in a sea comprising: a vessel ( 5 ); a mooring column ( 10 ) having a height and having an upper end ( 12 ) and a lower end; a pivoting arm ( 1 ) coupling the upper end of said mooring column to said vessel for permitting the mooring column to pivot about a pair of horizontal axes relative to the vessel; a plurality of chains ( 9 ) having upper ends coupled to the lower end of said mooring column, said heavy extending in catenary curves to the sea floor and giving the restoring force required to keep the vessel moored once connected; the lower half of said mooring column being free of attachment to any buoyant body having a greater positive buoyancy than the negative buoyancy of said heavy chains, the method comprising the steps of:
 sailing the vessel to the point where the upper end of the mooring column projects above water   stoping the vessel and maintaining station   moving the pivoting arm along the length direction until the arm projects to a pre-determined distance beyond the bow   lowering a pick-up line from the outward end of the mooring arm for connection to a messenger line that is pre-attached to the top of the elongated mooring column by means of a pull in line   articulating the pivoting arm downwards about axis ( 16 ) using hydraulic rams at the vessel's deck such that the outward end of the arm is close to the top of the upper part of the elongated mooring column   Pulling in the pick-up line to bring the top of mooring column up into contact with a mechanical connector until the pivoting arm and the mooring column are connected together, wherein   after the connection, the pivoting arm is articulated back up to a level applying tension in the mooring column and chains to moor the vessel to the mooring column, and wherein
 Piping systems of the arm and the buoy element are connected and product is transferred from/or to the vessel via the piping systems. 
   
     
     
         8 . Mooring system according to  claim 2 , wherein the arm ( 1 ) can pivot along axis ( 16 ) in an upward direction relative to the horizontal. 
     
     
         9 . Mooring system according to  claim 2 , wherein the arm ( 1 ) is displaceable in the length direction via a pinion system ( 17 , 18 ). 
     
     
         10 . Mooring system according to  claim 3 , wherein the arm ( 1 ) is displaceable in the length direction via a pinion system ( 17 , 18 ). 
     
     
         11 . Mooring system according to  claim 8 , wherein the arm ( 1 ) is displaceable in the length direction via a pinion system ( 17 , 18 ).