Background

The present invention relates to a method for coupling a manoeuvrable vessel to a floating structure, in particular for coupling a floating pipeline to the bow of the manoeuvrable vessel for enabling dredge transport between the manoeuvrable vessel and the floating pipeline.

Such a method is known from EP0670392A1 wherein a device is disclosed having a conduit coupling whose one coupling part extends at the outlet of a pressure conduit of a suction dredger over the bow. The other coupling part of the device is provided as a floating hose conduit formed as the end of a flushing tube conduit. A pickup line is coupled to the floating hose. Upon hauling in of the pickup line, the one and the other coupling part are brought together and coupled for transport of dredge under pressure.

The known method for coupling is disadvantageous since while manoeuvring the vessel, sight to the floating hose and pickup line is poor. As a result thereof, damage may occur or coupling procedures may take more time, in particular under severe weather and heavy sea conditions. In addition, the known method is cumbersome and unsafe for personnel. This is particularly true in coastal waters in stormy weather and rough seas.

Generally, a suction dredger transports dredge or soil from the bottom of a body of water, especially from the ocean floor near the coast to the shore over a greater distance and rinsed there a floating line for the recovery of land for tilling land.

Summary of the invention

The invention aims to provide a method for coupling a manoeuvrable vessel to a floating structure which is less cumbersome and more safe for personnel.

Another object of the invention is to improve a known method for coupling a manoeuvrable vessel to a floating structure in that a problem associated therewith is at least partly solved. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an alternative method for coupling a manoeuvrable vessel to a floating structure.

According to a first aspect of the invention this is realized with a method for coupling a manoeuvrable vessel to a floating structure, in particular for coupling a floating pipeline to the bow of the manoeuvrable vessel for enabling dredge transport between the manoeuvrable vessel and the floating pipeline, the vessel comprising a pickup system having a pickup member, wherein the method comprises;

- arranging the pickup member at the water surface,

- providing an auxiliary vessel coupled with the floating structure via a coupling line,

- crossing the coupling line over the pickup member by manoeuvring the auxiliary vessel with respect to the pickup member,

- hoisting up the pickup member in unity with the coupling line,

- hauling in the coupling line such that the floating structure and the

manoeuvrable vessel come into mutual position suitable to connect,

- connecting the floating structure to the manoeuvrable vessel.

Since the first contact is established between the pickup system and the coupling line, it is possible to maintain a more safe distance between the manoeuvrable vessel and the floating structure.

In an embodiment of the method, the pickup member is a netting. This increases the area to cross with the coupling line. In an embodiment of the method, the netting is arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal such that the auxiliary vessel entangles with the netting during crossing the coupling line over the pickup member by manoeuvring the auxiliary vessel with respect to the pickup member, wherein the coupling line crosses with at least a portion of the netting.

In an embodiment of the method, the pickup member is a line, preferably a tensed line. In an embodiment of the method, the auxiliary vessel is an unmanned vessel.

According to a further aspect of the invention this is realized with a

manoeuvrable vessel comprising the pickup system for use in the method according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the manoeuvrable vessel, the pickup system comprises a spreading member for tensioning the pickup member, which spreading member provides spaced attachment points for attachment to opposite ends of the pickup member.

In an embodiment of the manoeuvrable vessel, one end of the spreading member is coupled with the vessel and a free end of the spreading member extends outboard. This enables even more to maintain a more safe distance between the manoeuvrable vessel and the floating structure.

In an embodiment of the manoeuvrable vessel, the pickup member is attached to the attachment points via attachment members.

In an embodiment of the manoeuvrable vessel, the attachment members suspend vertically from the spreading member.

According to an even further aspect of the invention this is realized with a coupling system for coupling a manoeuvrable vessel to a floating structure, the coupling system comprising the pickup system for use in the method according to the invention and an auxiliary vessel comprising a line for coupling with a floating structure.

The invention further relates to a device comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further relates to a method comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantageous advantages.

Description of the drawings

The invention will be further elucidated referring to an preferred embodiment shown in the drawing wherein shown in:

Fig. 1 in perspective view a coupling system for use in the method according to the invention, and

fig. 2 in perspective view another coupling system for use in the method according to the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows a coupling system 1 for coupling a manoeuvrable vessel (not shown) to a floating structure (not shown), like a floating pipeline.

The pickup system 2 is part of a manoeuvrable vessel which is not shown.

The pickup system 2 comprises a spreading member 5 for tensioning the pickup member 6, in this case a netting 9. The spreading member provides spaced attachment points 7, 8 for attachment to opposite ends of the pickup member 6. This enables tensioning of the pickup member 6.

Here, one end 7 of the spreading member 5 is coupled with the vessel, and a free end 8 of the spreading member 5 extends outboard.

In this case, the pickup member 6 is attached to the attachment points 7, 8 via attachment members 10a, 10b which attachment members suspend vertically from the spreading member 5. Such an attachment member may be provided with a weight 1 1 at its lower end. The weight 11 enables tensioning of the pickup member 6 so much the more. The netting 9 has a rectangular shape. All corners of the netting 9 are coupled with the vessel in a similar manner as described above. The netting 9 is arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal.

The coupling system 1 comprises an auxiliary vessel 3. A coupling line 4 is coupled to the auxiliary vessel 3 and couples, in use, the auxiliary vessel to a floating structure. Here, the auxiliary vessel 3 is an unmanned vessel, however it is conceivable that a manned vessel may be applied as well.

Fig 1 differs with fig. 2 in that the netting 9 is replaced by a line 13.

In use, firstly the pickup member 6 is arranged at the water surface 12. Then, the auxiliary vessel 3 is coupled with the floating structure via a coupling line 4.

Subsequently, the coupling line 4 is crossed over the pickup member 6 by manoeuvring the auxiliary vessel 3 with respect to the pickup member 6. The pickup member 6 is then hoisted up in unity with the coupling line 4. Finally, the coupling line 4 is hauled in such that the floating structure and the manoeuvrable vessel come into mutual position suitable to connect, and the floating structure is connected to the manoeuvrable vessel.

As an option, the netting 9 is arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal such that the auxiliary vessel 3 entangles with the netting 9 during crossing the coupling line 4 over the pickup member 6 by manoeuvring the auxiliary vessel 3 with respect to the pickup member 6 , wherein the coupling line 4 crosses with at least a portion 12 of the netting.

It will also be obvious after the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.