Shallow water platform

Abstract

A device is described for hull in all essentials symmetrical about a centre axis and arranged to be accommodated resting on a seabed, where the hull is provided with several support means which in an active position protrudes downwards from a hull bottom and is arranged to maintain the centre axis of the hull in a specified position by each support mean being arranged for vertical displacement in relation to one or both of the hull and the seabed. It is also described a method of positioning a hull in all essentials symmetrical about a centre axis on a seabed.

1 . A hull substantially symmetrical about a centre axis and configured to be arranged such that a hull side exhibits a predetermined freeboard, the hull comprising:
 several support members that in an active position protrude downwards from a hull bottom and are arranged to maintain the centre axis of the hull in a specified position, each support member being arranged for vertical displacement in relation to one or both of the hull and a seabed.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support members are provided with suction feet arranged to be pressed into uncompacted material below the seabed, and which is rigidly connected to the hull bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support members are provided with suction feet arranged to be pressed into uncompacted material below the seabed, or provided with support legs arranged to contact the seabed, and which are individually vertically displaceable in relation to the hull bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the support members in a pulled up position are at least partly accommodated by respective pockets inside the hull. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical displacement of each support member is provided by one or more actuators connected to the hull and the support members. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hull comprises a ballasting system arranged to be able to submerge the hull until a hull side exhibits a predetermined freeboard. 
     
     
         7 . A method of positioning a hull, that is essentially symmetrical about a centre axis, on a seabed, comprising: arranging the hull floating on a specified location above the seabed;
 ballasting the hull such that a hull side exhibits a predetermined freeboard; and   displacing several support members vertically downwards and into abutment with the seabed, potentially into uncompacted material below the seabed to stable support of the hull.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises:
 displacing the support members provided with suction feet in relation to the seabed during ballasting of the hull by applying the suction feet a differentiated underpressure.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises:
 displacing the support members provided with suction feet in relation to the hull bottom by means of one or more actuators.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:
 locking each of the support members relative the hull by means of the respective actuator.