System for handling conventional and synthetic moorings lines, cables and the like aboard a vessel

Abstract

A large capacity, rotating horizontal carousel for deployment and storage of synthetic rope located below the main deck of an anchor handling vessel or other vessel. The system includes a transfer system of rollers and sheaves for transferring the lines to deployment winches. According to one aspect, the system is mounted on a dedicated anchor handling vessel, but can also be adapted to mount on other vessels such as barges, cargo vessels, etc.

1 . A system for storage, deployment and retrieval of elongated flexible members such as mooring lines, anchor lines, cables and the like aboard a vessel, the system comprising:
 a. A horizontally rotatable carousel adapted to be mounted on a lower deck area of a vessel, said carousel arranged to receive, store and deploy an elongated flexible member,   b. Motorized drive mechanism for rotating the carousel,   c. Bearing means arranged between the carousel and the vessel's structure,   d. A chute for leading the elongated flexible member from the outside environment to the below deck area.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the carousel comprises removable dividers for selectively altering the storage capacity of the carousel. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the carousel is adapted to be retrofitted in an existing vessel having a hatch leading to the below deck area, wherein the carousel is a modular construction, the components of which are of a size small enough to be transferred through the hatch. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the guide chute is movable. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein guide chute is arranged with rollers to turn sheaves and a transition funnel through the decks, said transition funnel having a closeable hatch. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the carousel has a capacity of up to 28,600 m of 203 mm diameter polyester rope.