Method and device for handling a mooring line

Abstract

A method of handling a mooring line having a first end portion attached to a vessel comprises capturing a second end portion of a mooring line with a moveable arm mounted to a towboat. The method also comprises securing a mid-portion of the mooring line between the first end portion and the second end portion with respect to the towboat. The method further comprises moving the second end portion of the mooring line from a first position to a second position whilst the mid-portion of the mooring line is secured to the towboat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of handling a mooring line having a first end portion attached to a vessel comprising:
 capturing a second end portion of a mooring line with a moveable arm mounted to a towboat;   securing a mid-portion of the mooring line between the first end portion and the second end portion with respect to the towboat; and   moving the second end portion of the mooring line from a first position to a second position whilst the mid-portion of the mooring line is secured to the towboat.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the capturing comprises grasping the second end portion suspended from the deck of the vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing comprises positioning the mid-portion of the mooring line in a securing mechanism fixed with respect to the hull of the towboat. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises moving the mid-portion of the mooring line from a position outside a perimeter of the towboat to a position inside the perimeter of the towboat before securing the mid-portion of the mooring line. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable arm moves the second end portion and the mid-portion of the mooring line at the same time. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable arm is rotatable or slidable with respect to the towboat. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the moveable arm is rotatable about an arc of substantially 180 degrees with respect to the towboat. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises towing the tow line or the mooring line with the towboat after the mid-portion of the mooring line is secured to the towboat. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises presenting the second end portion of the mooring line for handling once the second end portion of the mooring line is moved into the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the second end portion of the mooring line is presented for manual handling by a person on the shore. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises slackening the mooring line between the second end portion and the secured mid-portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the slackening comprises moving the moveable arm coupled to the second end portion of the mooring line towards the secured mid-portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the tension between the first end portion of the mooring line and the secured mid-portion is greater than the tension between the secured mid-portion and the second end portion of the mooring line. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable arm is telescopic. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises displaying an image of the moveable arm to an operator of the moveable arm. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises providing feedback to an operator of the moveable when the moveable arm successfully grasps the second end portion of the mooring line. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mid-portion of or the mooring line is fixed with respect to the towboat in front of a propulsor of the towboat. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is carried out autonomously by a towboat controller or manually by an operator of the towboat. 
     
     
         19 . A line handling device for handling a mooring line having a first end portion attached to a vessel comprising:
 a moveable arm mounted on a towboat and arranged to capture a second end portion of a mooring line;   a securing mechanism mounted to the towboat and arranged to secure a mid-portion of the mooring line between the first end portion and the second end portion with respect to the towboat;   wherein the moveable arm is arranged to move the second end portion of the mooring line from a first position to a second position whilst the mid-portion of the mooring line is secured to the towboat.   
     
     
         20 . A towboat comprising a line handling device for handling a mooring line having a first end portion attached to a vessel comprising:
 a moveable arm mounted on a towboat and arranged to capture a second end portion of a mooring line;   a securing mechanism mounted to the towboat and arranged to secure a mid-portion of the mooring line between the first end portion and the second end portion with respect to the towboat;   wherein the moveable arm is arranged to move the second end portion of the mooring line from a first position to a second position whilst the mid-portion of the mooring line is secured to the towboat.