5 The present invention is related to a gutter for storing and connecting of a hose for transfer of oil between two floating structures.

Transfer of oil offshore today is performed according to different principles, and increasingly a transfer system is 0 used shuttle tanker from a stationary ship equipped with the loading system STL arranged near the bow of the ship which is used as a storing tank. Unloading is performed over the stern of the ship to the shuttle tanker.

The hoses used for loading must be treated very s carefully and several developments are made to ensure such a claim.

With the present invention a system is provided, ensuring consider it treatment and rapid preparations for oil transfer and the following parking of the transfer hose. This is o achieved according to the features stated in the claims.

The drawing discloses in figure 1 a ground view of part of a stern of a storing tanker with the gutter according to the present invention, figure 2 discloses a sketch of the stern of the ship and figure 3 discloses a sideview of the gutter 5 according to the invention.

A set 3 of rails extend from the stern of the storing tanker and to the bow of the ship substantially along the entire length of the ship. The rail set 3 is arranged at a height above the deck of the ship. On the rail set is provided a carriage 1 0 having wheels gripping above and below the rails of the rail set 3. To the carriage 1 is secured a wire extending forwardly to a not disclosed wire winch.

Lowered in relation to the rails of the set 3 of rails are arranged transversal rollers 9 in the entire length of the 5 set 3 of rails. Near the stern 8 of the ship the track continuous with rollers 9 in a curve downwardly into a substantially vertical direction. The vertical portion of the rail comprising rollers 9 is situated directly above or in front of the stern 8 of the ship.

On the carriage 1 is journalled a ball link 4 in which a hose 2 is secured. In connection with the ball link 4 is arranged a T-piece 5 opposite the ball link 4 in relation to the bearing. At the stern is secured a turnable unloading manifold 6 comprising a connection connected with the piping system of the ship via a swivel and closing valve. The ball link 4 and its bearing is secured to the carriage on parts extending rearwardly from the carriage in such a way that the hose 2 with the carriage

1 in the rear position, is suspending downwardly behind the heck 8 of the ship.

By connecting the hose 2 to another ship, a forerunner is shot over to a shuttle tanker. .The forerunner is connected with a chain which again is connected with the end of the hose

2 which is arranged on the rollers 9 near the stern 8. The mooring hawser and the chain is pulled over to the shuttle tanker and thereby pulling the hose 2 whereas the wire winch is holding the carriage 1 back such that the hose 2 only is given out corresponding to the transfer to the shuttle tanker.

When the complete length of the hose 2 is given out from the ship, the carriage 1 is situated at the rear end of the rail set 3 and the hose 2 will suspend freely downwardly in such a way that the T-piece 5 is protruding up from the bearing of the ball link 4. Thereby the T-piece 5 is in position for connection by means of flanges secured to the T-piece, to the unloading manifold 6.

The hose 2 being suspended without momentum forces vertically downwardly from the ball link 4 on the storing tanker and in a catenary curve to the shuttle tanker, may in the horizontal plane be directed anywhere within an angle limited by a parallel with the stern 8 of the ship and a parallel to the side 7 of the ship.

When the hose 2 is given out it will follow the track with rollers 9 which at the stern has a radius sufficiently large to ensure the hose against any damage. Upon finishing the unloading operation the hose 2 is released from the shuttle tanker and lowered into the sea, vertically downwards from the ball link 4. By means of the wire winch the carriage 1 is pulled to the bow of the ship in such a way that the hose 2 very carefully is withdrawn and brought to

rest on the rollers 9. The carriage 1 is provided with means for locking in both end positions.

The set of rails 3 and the rollers 9 does not extend beyond the stern 8 of the ship when the carriage 1 is situated s in the bow position. The gutter according to the present invention provides considerate treatment of the hose 2 during the unloading operation in the connected position as well as in the storing position. The hose 2 is free from any momentum forces when it is suspended from the ball link 4 beyond the stern 8 and o the hose 2 is well secured.