The invention relates to a system for open water cable laying and repair.

Over the last decades many cables have been laid in and/or on the bottom of open water, such as sea and ocean floors, for example for the connecting of for example off shore energy generating systems, such as windmills, to on and/or off shore power stations, for connecting on- and or off-shore power stations with each other, for telecommunications and the like, both in-field and out-field, such as export cables. Moreover many more such cables will have to be laid in the future. Such cables can further on also be referred to as point to point cables connections. During their life span and operation such cables may have to be inspected and when damaged or otherwise insufficiently operable have to be repaired or replaced.

It is known to repair cables in open water using a method as for example described in EP 1381117 or US4479690. In such methods a cable to be repaired is cut at the sea bottom, at the fault location, and then one end of the cable is pulled to the surface on a vessel. On the vessel the said end of the cable is joined to a first end of a cable length stored on the vessel. The cable length may be larger than the water depth at the location. The other end of the damaged cable is then pulled to the surface and spliced with the other end of the cable length. The cable is then lowered back onto the sea bed.

In order to perform this method a dedicated cable laying and repair vessel is necessary. Such vessel is costly in production, maintenance and operation. This means that such vessel are in high demand but limited availability. This may especially be a problem in cable repair situations since such situations are not planned ahead and require fast response in order to prevent prolonged disorder of the cable. US6371694 discloses a cable laying vessel, comprising a modular tower supported on a deck of a vessel, comprising a cable chute forming a diverter mounted at the top of the tower, on the upper module thereof.

Spaced apart from the tower a cable reel is provided, rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis in a frame, the reel extending largely below the deck of the vessel. A cable fed from the reel is led over the chute and down along the tower, through a moon pool provided at the bottom of the tower. The tower comprises an upper module supporting the chute and a lower module. The upper module can rotate relative to the lower module around a longitudinal axis of the tower.

WO2017/060672 discloses a laying vessel for pipes or cables, comprising a module mounted on a deck and a diverter module connected to said module. The diverter module can comprise a chute or wheel for guiding a cable over the assembly of modules from a cable supply to a moon hole or over a side of the vessel. Modules can be connected to each other in a horizontal or vertical position, the diverter module being provided at the top, having a guide surface of a chute or wheel in a vertical plane, for guiding the cable or pipe.

The present disclosure is directed to a system which is an alternative to known cable laying and/or repair vessel. The present disclosure aims at providing a cable laying and/or repair system which provides for a cable laying and/or repair system which is easy to maintain and deploy. The present disclosure aims at providing a cable laying and/or repair system which at least partly ehminates or reduces at least one of the draw backs of such systems according to the prior art. The present disclosure furthermore aims at providing a method for cable laying and or repair, which can be an alternative to existing methods.

At least one of these and other aims are obtained with a system and/or method according to the present disclosure. In an aspect the present disclosure is directed to a system for open water cable laying and/or repair, wherein the system comprises at least one unit, said at least one unit comprising at least one reel for holding at least one length of cable and a cable guiding system. The at least one unit is structured such that it can be lifted onto and off a deck of a vessel.

With a system of the disclosure a vessel not dedicated to cable laying and/or repair can be easily outfitted for that purpose, whereas after use the unit can easily be removed again, so as to allow the vessel to be used for other purposes again. Such vessel can for example be a multi-purpose vessel having a deck space for receiving the unit, a barge or the like. The unit can easily be stored on shore, for example at a quay, until it has to be used again, at which point it can be lifted onto a vessel again. Such vessel can be the same or a different vessel.

In an aspect the cable laying and/or repair unit can comprise at least two reels, which may be stacked, or a single reel with at least two cable receiving positions, such that on a first reel or a first cable receiving position a first cable can be stored and on a second reel or a second cable receiving position a first cable can be stored. For example a first reel or position can during use then be used for storing cable retrieved from a bottom of a body of water, whereas the second position or reel can be used for cable to be laid, for example for replacing part of a cable to be removed during a repair of the cable at the bottom of the body of water. If two reels or two receiving positions are provided they are preferably stacked in vertical directions. If two reels are provided they preferably are rotatable

independent from each other. The reel or reels can preferably rotate around a substantially vertical axis. This will allow for a compact configuration of the cable laying and/or repair unit, with a relatively low center of gravity even when the diameter of the or each reel can be relatively large.

In an aspect a cable laying and/or repair unit can comprise the at least one reel positioned at least partly on a first side of a first deck of the cable laying and/or repair unit, wherein part of the cable guiding system extends at an opposite second side of said deck. Preferably the deck extends substantially horizontally. The first side is preferably below said deck and the second side above said deck. This will again allow for positioning of a relatively large diameter reel or reels, which can for example extend over a substantial part of the width of the cable laying and/or repair unit, for example more than 2/3th of the width, for example substantially the full width or even more than the width.

In an aspect the cable guiding system can comprise at least one first guide for guiding a cable from said at least one reel at said first side of the deck to the opposite second side of the deck and or from the second side of the deck onto said at least one reel at the opposite first side of the deck. The first guide can be provided with a guide track. The first guide can be movable, such that an end of the first guide from which a cable is to be guided onto or from the or a reel can be moved along a side of the reel, especially in a substantially vertical direction or in a substantially vertical plane, for winding and or unwinding of a cable onto and/or from the said at least one reel. The opposite end of the first guide can be close to or above the second side of the deck. Thus a cable can be safely and efficiently be guided from the reel or one of the reels to above the deck or vice versa, in which the cable can be received onto the relevant reel wound in a screw thread fashion.

In embodiments the at least one unit can comprise a modular system comprising sub units, each sub unit comprising part of the system. In embodiments the sub units can be coupled to each other and/or to a frame. By providing sub units it may become easy to exchange a sub unit for another sub unit or to decide which sub units to include in the system for any one work to be performed, for example based on whether a cable laying operation is to be performed or a cable repair, or the type of cable that has to be repaired or laid. For example a sub unit can comprise the reel or reels, wherein another sub unit exchangeable with said sub unit can comprise another reel or set of reels. Preferably the layout is such that at least standardized sized containers can be used for provided one or more of said sub units. For example but not limited to 20 or 40 foot sea containers.

In embodiments the system can comprise a cable guide and a cable guide lowering system for during use on a vessel lowering the cable guide from the vessel into a body of water on which the vessel is positioned. The cable guide and a cable guide lowering system can be provided in and/or on the at least one cable laying and/or repair unit.

In embodiments the cable guide can have a substantially semicircular peripheral part and can have a substantially flat configuration.

A system according to the disclosure can for example comprise one or more of a cable tensioning unit, a cable cutting unit, a cable splicing unit, an hydraulic power unit, a power generator unit, a control unit, a joint deployment system unit and a quadrant deployment and recovery system unit. In this disclosure a unit can be a sub unit or an integral part of the at least one cable laying and/or repair unit. A quadrant can be understood as a cable guide.

The disclosure is further directed to a method for cable laying and/or repair and/or to a method for using a cable laying and/or repair unit, wherein a cable laying and/or repair unit is lifted from a storage position onto a vessel. The vessel with the cable laying and/or repair unit is transferred to at least one operating position. Such transfer can be by self- propelling or by towing or any other suitable way. In the operating position a cable is laid and/or repaired using the cable laying and/or repair unit. If necessary such cable laying and/or repair can be performed at different locations. There after the vessel is returned to a storage site where the cable laying and/or repair unit is lifted off the vessel and placed again in a storage position. Such storage position can be the same position as where the unit was initially located or a different location. Such method can have the advantage that a standard vessel, such as for example but not limited to a multi-purpose vessel or a barge can be used for cable laying and/or repair when needed, and for other purposes at other times. This means that the cost for construction, maintenance and operation can be reduced compared to the utilization of a dedicated cable laying and/or repair vessel, especially when there is no full time

employment for such vessel. Furthermore such method can have the advantage that capacity of cable laying and/or repair can be provided on demand, for example when no dedicated cable laying and/or repair vessel is available.

In an aspect the disclosure is directed to a vessel comprising a cable laying and/or repair system according to the disclosure.

In a system according to the present disclosure the at least one reel is preferably integrated into at least one unit, such that the at least one reel can be hfted onto and/or from a vessel, especially a deck of a vessel, together with such unit, which unit may comprise further equipment such as a tensioner, a cable repair and/or preparation unit, a cable guide and the like.

In a system according to the present disclosure the at least one unit preferably comprises an at least substantially flat deck with at least one track of guiding a cable along said deck. Near an edge of the deck a downward curved surface may be provided for guiding a cable from said at least one track over a side of the vessel, for example but not hmited to a stern or bow of the vessel or vice versa. The at least one unit preferably has a relatively small height compared to a length and width of the unit.

In further elucidation of the present invention embodiments of the present disclosure, such as embodiments of a cable laying and/or repair system, a unit for such system and a vessel provided therewith, as well as of a method according to the disclosure shall be described hereafter, with reference to the drawings. Therein shows: Fig. 1 a cable laying and/or repair unit lifted during transfer, here shows as being suspended by two cranes;

Fig. 2 a cable laying and/or repair unit placed on the deck of a vessel;

Fig. 3 a closer view of a cable laying and/or repair unit on the vessel;

Fig. 4 a cable laying and/or repair unit during use;

Fig. 5 part of a cable laying and/or repair unit showing a cable transport and tensioning unit;

Fig. 6 in rear view a vessel with a cable laying and/or repair unit, showing a cable guide.

In this description embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings by way of example only. These embodiments should by no means be understood as hmiting the scope of the disclosure. At least all combinations of elements and features of the embodiments shown are also considered to have been disclosed herein. In this description the same or similar elements and features will be referred to by the same or similar reference signs.

In this description expressions of orientation such as top, bottom, vertical etcetera are used for convenience only and refer to the orientation of a free floating vessel as seen in the accompanying drawings.

In this description an at least one unit comprising at least one reel can be referred to as a cable laying and/or repair unit. Such unit may comprise a series of sub units and can be build up as a modular system.

In this disclosure a cable laying and/or repair unit is described, by way of example only, which can be lifted in its entirety for transfer between for example a vessel and a storage position, or vice versa.

In this description a cable should be understood as meaning at least, but not hmited to, any one of electrical cables such as power lines, telecommunication cables such as telephone lines, optical lines, umbihcals, piggy back cables, flexible pipes and combinations thereof.

Fig. 1 shows a cable laying and/or repair unit 1, further also referred to as the unit 1, during transfer from a storage position 2 on a quay 3 and a vessel 4, shown in fig 1 moored to the quay 3. In fig. 1 the unit 1 is suspended from two cranes 5 provided on a barge 6. The unit 1 is being transferred from the storage position 2 to the vessel 4 in order to transform the vessel, which in this embodiment is shown as a multi-purpose vessel (MPV) with a substantially flat deck 7, but which can also be a different vessel, including but not limited to a barge, into a cable laying and/or repair vessel. In the embodiment shown the vessel is a self-propelled MPV.

The cable laying and/or repair unit 1 comprises a frame 8, supporting a series of sub units 9 which are connected to each other and/or to the frame 8. The sub units 9 comprise different equipment suitable for use in cable laying and/or repair, such as for example one or more of, but not limited to a cable tensioning unit, a cable cutting unit, a cable splicing unit, an hydraulic power unit, a power generator unit, a control unit, a joint deployment system unit, as shall be further explained. The unit 1 comprises mounting elements 10 for mounting the unit 1 onto the deck 7 and securing it to it temporarily. The elements 10 can for example comprise adjustable welding brackets 11 which can be welded to the deck and can easily be removed again after use. Thus the unit 1 can be secured against movement during saihng of the vessel and during use of the unit 1 but can easily be removed again after deployment. The unit 1 is preferably self-sufficient, for example in providing pneumatics, hydraulics and power for operation of the unit 1, such as to not be dependent on the vessel for such provisions.

As can be seen in fig. 2 the unit can be placed close to or even extending slightly over the aft 11 of the deck 7 of the vessel 4. At the end 12 of the unit 1 at the aft 11 a curved guiding surface 13 is provided. The surface 13 can for example be substantially cylindrical, especially about a quarter of a cylinder having a substantially circular cross section. An upper end 14 of the surface 13 can be close to or just above a deck 15 of the unit 1, whereas the opposite lower end 16 faces the water 17. A tangent Tl to said surface at the lower end 16 may for example be substantially vertical, whereas a tangent T2 to the surface 13 at said upper end 14 may be substantially horizontal. The deck 15 may be substantially horizontal.

Guard plates 31 may be provided at opposite sides of the guide surface 13, in order to prevent a cable 22 guided over said surface 13 from leaving the said surface 13 sideways.

On the deck 15 at least a splicing sub unit 18 may be provided, as well as cable feeding sub unit 19, as shown for example in fig. 4 and 5. In the splicing sub unit 18 equipment may be provided as known in the art for working on a cable, such as for example but not limited to any one of or combinations of cutting and splicing of cables, mounting and/or dismounting couplers, insulations, covers and the like. The cable feeding sub unit 19 may be of a known design for mechanically feeding cable, preferably in two opposite directions. To this end the cable feeding sub unit 19 can for example comprise two series of rollers 20, 21 between which a cable 22 can be fed, which can be forwarded or retrieved substantially by friction between the rollers 20, 21, of which at least one is driven by a suitable drive 23, and the cable mantle.

Below the deck 15 two stacked reels 24, 25 are shown, mounted on and/or forming a carrousel 26. The reels 24, 25 can rotate around a preferably common substantially vertical axis 27. In a known manner cable 22 can be rolled onto and/or off the reels 24, 25. In embodiments instead of two reels 24, 25 a single reel or carrousel 26 can be provided, which may comprise one compartment or two stacked compartments for feeding cable or different cables. The or each reel 24, 25 or the carrousel as such may be positively rotated, for example by an appropriate drive motor and gearing, but it may also be passively rotatable. The reel or reels 24, 25 or carrousel 26 may be rotatable in both directions, for winding and unwinding the cable or cables 22.

Furthermore below the deck 15 further sub units 9 can be provided, such as for example but not limited to a control sub unit 28, a diesel power sub unit 29 for providing electrical power to different sub units 9. Moreover a hydraulic sub unit 30 can be provided for providing hydraulic power, which may be powered by the power sub unit 29.

As can be seen in e.g. fig. 2, ,3 and 4 at an end 32 of the unit 1 opposite the guide surface 13 a guide 33 is provided, for guiding a cable 22 from below the deck 15, i.e. from the or a reel 24, 25 or carrousel 26, to above the deck 15, such that it can be fed through the cable feeding sub unit 19 and the splicing sub unit 18, and from there over the guide surface 13 into the water 17.

In embodiments the guide 33 can have a substantially semicircular guide track 34 extending along a periphery of the guide 33. An upper end 35 of the guide track 34 is positioned just above the upper level of the deck 15. A tangent T3 to said guide track 34 at said upper end 35 extends

substantially horizontally and preferably parallel to vertical mid sectional plane of the vessel 4 and unit 1. The opposite lower end 36 of the guide track 34 is positioned below the deck 15. A tangent T4 to the guide track 34 at said lower end 36 is preferably also substantially horizontal and

substantially parallel to the tangent to the upper end 35 of the guide track 34.

In embodiments the guide 33 and especially the guide track 34 can be fixed in position. In such embodiments a winding provision can be provided for guiding the cable to be spooled onto the or a reel 24, 25 or compartment of a reel or carrousel 26 in a screw thread fashion. In the embodiment shown in e.g. fig. 4 the guide 33 is movable angularly. The lower end 36 can be moved up and down, for example hydraulically, for example by pivoting the guide around an axis substantially parallel to and preferably substantially coinciding with the tangent to the upper end 35 of the guide track 34.

As can be seen in e.g. fig. 2 and 5, the unit 1 can span a substantial part of, for example substantially the complete, width of the deck 7 of the vessel 4, and a substantial length of the deck 7 too. In embodiments the unit 1 can have a width W of for example between 10 and 20 meters, for example between 10 and 16 meters, for example but not limited to about 14 meters. The unit can have a length L of for example between 15 and 40 meters, for example between 20 and 35 meters, such as for example about 27 meters. The unit can for example have a footprint of about 14 by 27 meters, and is preferably sized such that standardized 20 and/or 40 feet containers can be used for forming at least some of the sub units 9. Such containers may for example be, but are not limited to about 2.4 m wide, 2.6 meters high and 6.1 or 12.2 meters long. The deck 15 of the unit 1 may for example be at about 2.6 to 3 meters above the deck 4 of the vessel 4, although also different heights may be used.

As can be seen in the drawings the or each reel can have a relatively large diameter D, which may for example be about the same as the width W of the unit 1. Hence the diameter D can for example be about 14 meters. In embodiments the guide 33 can be placed in a substantially vertical plane. However, preferably the guide 33 extends, as shown in the drawings, such that the upper end 35 of the guide track 34 is positioned near a first longitudinal side 37 of the unit 1, near the end 32 of the deck 15, whereas the opposite second or lower end 36 of the guide track 34 is substantially closer to the opposite longitudinal side 38 of the unit 1, preferably providing for a relatively long guide track 34. The distance between the upper and lower end 35, 36 of the guide track, measured in a straight line, may for example be between 75 and 110% of the width of the unit 1, for example between 80 and 98% of said width. The guide track 34 is preferably semi circular such that a suitable curve is obtained in the cable 22 when fed over said guide track 34.

By providing the or each reel in the unit 1, there is no need for a space on the deck next to the unit 1 for a reel of carrousel, as is known in the art. Moreover the or each reel can be placed on and removed from the vessel easily together with the unit. Moreover all support and drive means for such reel or reels can be integrated in the unit, again making it easier to place and remove the unit. By providing the or each reel 24, 25 and/or carrousel below the deck 15 the center of gravity may also be low near the deck, improving safety.

In embodiments the or each reel 24, 25 and/or the carrousel 26 can be exchangeable, such that for each project of cable laying and/or repair the appropriate reel or reels 24, 25 or carrousel 26 can be placed within the unit 1. Such placement can for example be done prior to loading the unit 1 onto a vessel 4, or after such loading, for example during saihng, between two such operations. In other embodiments the reel or reels 24, 25 or carrousel 26 can be provided in a fixed position within the unit 1, wherein cable 22 can be spooled onto and from the reel 24 or reels 25 and/or carrousel 26, both during operations and afterwards. Obviously the cable could be removed from or spooled onto the reel or reels or carrousel also during operations, by transferring it to another vessel, a quay or the like or another position on or below the deck 7. In the embodiment shown the or each reel 24, 25, 26 is in a substantially horizontal position, rotationally around a substantially vertical axis, providing for a relatively low center of gravity with large reel diameters or carrousel. However it would also be possible to orientate the reel or reels or carrousel differently, for example having an axis of rotation extending substantially horizontally or inclined relative to the deck 15. In such embodiments the or each reel or carrousel may extend through the deck 15, and reels can then be placed for example side by side. The or each reel can for example be placed by sliding it into and out of position in a side ways direction, below the deck 15 of the unit 1, or the deck 15 can be at least partly removable for placing and/or removable of the or each reel, for example pivoting.

In embodiments the cable guide 31 can be construed such that it can tilt in opposite directions, such that either the first or second end 35, 36 can be brought or held above the deck 15, the other end being lowered to a position below said deck. At both ends a cable track 34A can be provided, for example by a series of rollers 34B, over which a cable can be guided. In such embodiment along a first of the cable tracks 34A a cable can be fed onto a reel, for example when retrieving a cable from the water, whereas along the other cable track 34A a cable can be provided to be lowered into the water, without having to change the direction of rotation of the reel 24 or reels 24, 25 or carrousel 26.

In embodiments, as shown in fig. 1, a crane 39 can be provided on the deck 7 of the vessel 4, as is known in MPV's, which crane 39 can be used for supporting actions for or on the unit 1, such as handling sub units 9, handling cables 22, transferring goods and/or personnel and the like, and/or handing a quadrant or cable guide 41 to be lowered into the water.

Additionally or alternatively the unit can be provided with appropriate hoisting means, such as for example but not limited to a fixed or movable crane 40, such as a gantry crane 40 as shown in fig. 3, pallets carts, winches or the like. Such crane 39 or the like can also be used for example for exchanging a reel or carrousel.

As is shown especially in fig. 6 a movable cable guide 41 can be provided, to be lowered into the water 17, for guiding the cable 22 below the surface of the water 17 and especially at or near the bottom of said water- where the cable 22 is to be laid on and/or in, in a known manner, and/or from which the cable is to be retrieved for repair, which may also be understood as forming or including cable maintenance. In the embodiment shown the movable cable guide 41 is similar in design as the cable guide 31. However, other designs can easily be understood by the skilled person to be equally suitable for the intended purpose.

In the embodiment shown the movable cable guide 41 can have a curved, preferably semi circular guide track 42 extending along a periphery 43 of a curved part of the guide 41. In the embodiment shown the guide track 42 encloses an angle of about 180 degrees between opposite ends 44, 45 of the guide track 42. The guide can have a substantially flat

configuration, with a relatively open construction in order to reduce influence of water on the guide. The ends of the periphery comprising the opposite ends 44, 45 may be connected by a connecting beam 46, which can for example be a substantially straight beam. A wire 47 is connected to the guide 41, for example to the beam 46 or close to a mid section of the periphery 43, for suspending the guide 41. The wire 47 can also be suitably connected for manipulating the guide 41 when suspended in the water 17. The crane 39 can for example be used, in a known manner, as a cable guide lowering system 48 for during use on a vessel 4 lowering the cable guide 41 from the vessel 4 into the body of water 17 on which the vessel 4 is positioned and/or retrieving it.

In embodiments the cable guide lowering system can be a known type of crane as commonly used for lowering and hoisting a cable guide during cable laying and/or repair operations. The guide surface 13 can also be used for guiding the cable 22 as discussed previously.

A system 100 comprising a unit 1 according to the disclosure can be used as follows.

A unit 1 can be stored in a storage location such as on a quay 3 as long as it is not needed for a cable laying and/or repair operation. During this period the unit can easily be maintained and prepared for an upcoming operation, since it is readily accessible to personnel and equipment. For example an appropriate reel or set of reels can be provided or the appropriate type and length of cable or cables can be provided on the or each reel or carrousel, if necessary after removal of other cable or reel(s). When a cable repair and/or cable laying operation becomes imminent the unit 1 can be prepared, as far as necessary, for such operation, whereas an appropriate vessel can be brought to the quay 3, such as a MPV. The unit 1 is

transferred onto the vessel 4 and, as far as necessary, secured to the vessel 4. Then the vessel is sailed to a location where a repair is to be performed or cable is to be laid. If necessary at that location a cable guide 41 is lowered into the water for guiding a cable to be repaired or retrieved and/or a cable to be laid.

When laying a cable 22 a cable to be laid is fed, from a reel 24 through the cable guide track 34, through the cable feeding sub unit 19 and, if desired, the splicing sub unit 18, and from there over the guide surface 13 into the water 17. There it can be guided by the cable guide 41 suspended from the wire 47 and laid in a known manner in and/or on the bottom.

When a cable repair or retrieval operation is to be performed, in a known manner a cable end can be pulled up from the bottom onto the deck 15 over the guide surface 13. If a repair is necessary it may be fed into the splicing sub unit 18, to be machined, for example spliced onto an end of another cable fed from one of the reels 24, 25, or to be provided with a connector, to be stripped of insulation or to be shortened or any other suitable cable operation. After that it can either be fed further to be wound onto a reel 24, 25, or can be brought back to the bottom of the water, as discussed. If a length of cable 2 is to be retrieved it may again be fed over the surface 13 and through the cable feeding unit 19, transporting the cable into and through the guide track 34 towards the at least one reel 24, 25, to be wound onto a reel 24, 25 or a section or compartment of such reel 24, 25. During winding and/or unwinding of cable onto and/or from a reel, a relevant end 35, 36 of the guide 33 can be moved up and down along a periphery of the or a reel 24, 25, such as to properly wind or unwind the cable 22.

After finalizing the cable laying and/or repair operation or a series of such operations, the vessel is sailed back to an anchoring position, for example the same quay 3, where the unit 1 is unloaded from the vessel 4 and placed in a storage position again, for future use. The vessel 4 can again be used for other purposes, such as for example cargo transport or transport of personnel. For another operation the same or another vessel can be used again.

The invention is by no means limited to the embodiments as disclosed. Many variations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims, including combinations of embodiments and parts thereof as disclosed.

In the embodiments as discussed the unit 1 is transferred onto the vessel 4 as one single unit. However, it is also possible to transfer the unit as a series of sub units, connected to each other on the vessel or during transfer. Therein the sub units can be connected to each other and/or to a frame or multiple frames and/or to the vessel. In the embodiments shown the unit is mounted to a substantially flat deck. It can however also be mounted differently, for example partly or entirely in a cargo hull. In the embodiments shown the unit is lifted by one or more cranes for transfer. However, such transfer can also be achieved in any other suitable way, for example by rolling and or sliding the unit onto and or off the vessel.

Multiple reels can be provided having different locations and/or

orientations. They can be actively or passively driven. In stead of or additional to standardized containers used as or for sub units 9, also other provisions can be used, for example purpose built sub units. A vessel for use with the present system or methods can be provided with mounting provisions dedicated to the unit system or method, preferably without interfering with their other purposes, such as cargo transport. In the embodiments shown the guide surface 13 extends over the aft of a vessel. However, units can also be provided in which a guide surface is provided over a side or stern of the vessel, whereas also in stead of or additional to a guide surface other guiding means can be provided for guiding cables onto and/or off the vessel, such as but not limited to rollers, guide tubes, guide openings or blocks or the like. Also other drive means for driving the cable can be provided, such as but not limited to friction drives, towing and/or pushing provisions and the like.

These and many such variations are considered falling within the scope of the claims.