U.S. patent application number 17/653079 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-29 for split mooring system and methods for vessels.
This patent application is currently assigned to Exmar Offshore Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Exmar Offshore Company. Invention is credited to Otto DaSilva, Branka Radanovic, Zhigang Tian.
Application Number | 20220306244 17/653079 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006435837 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220306244 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DaSilva; Otto ; et
al. |
September 29, 2022 |
SPLIT MOORING SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR VESSELS
Abstract
A split mooring system may include at least two vessels in a
body of water and a plurality of mooring lines. The plurality of
mooring lines may be attached to the at least two vessels and
configured to fix and maintain a position of the at least two
vessels in the body of water relative to each other. A first vessel
of the at least two vessels may be adjacent to a second vessel of
the at least two vessels. The plurality of mooring lines may be
attached to sides of the first vessel and the second vessel. The
sides of the first vessel and the second vessel with mooring lines
may face open water of the body of water.
Inventors: |
DaSilva; Otto; (Houston,
TX) ; Tian; Zhigang; (Houston, TX) ;
Radanovic; Branka; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Exmar Offshore Company |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Exmar Offshore Company
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
1000006435837 |
Appl. No.: |
17/653079 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63155723 |
Mar 2, 2021 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 27/34 20130101;
B63B 59/02 20130101; B63B 21/27 20130101; B63B 21/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 21/20 20060101
B63B021/20; B63B 59/02 20060101 B63B059/02; B63B 21/27 20060101
B63B021/27; B63B 27/34 20060101 B63B027/34 |
Claims
1. A split mooring system, the split mooring system comprising: at
least two vessels in a body of water; and a plurality of mooring
lines attached to the at least two vessels and configured to fix
and maintain a position of the at least two vessels in the body of
water relative to each other, wherein a first vessel of the at
least two vessels is adjacent to a second vessel of the at least
two vessels, wherein the plurality of mooring lines is attached to
sides of the first vessel and the second vessel, and wherein the
sides of the first vessel and the second vessel with mooring lines
face open water of the body of water.
2. The split mooring system of claim 1, wherein the first vessel is
a production vessel, and wherein the second vessel is a storage
vessel or floating storage unit.
3. The split mooring system of claim 1, further comprising one or
more spring lines having a first end attached to the first vessel
and a second end attached to the second vessel, wherein the one or
more spring line are configured to maintain a relative position of
the first and second vessels with each other.
4. The split mooring system of claim 1, further comprising fenders
attached to the first vessel and/or the second vessel, wherein the
fenders are configured to prevent collisions between a body of the
first vessel and a body of the second vessel.
5. The split mooring system of claim 1, wherein each mooring line
of the plurality of mooring lines comprise at least one chain line
and a polyester line.
6. The split mooring system of claim 5, wherein one end of the
mooring line is connected to a corresponding vessel and a distal
end of the mooring line is connected to an anchor.
7. The split mooring system of claim 6, wherein the anchor is a
suction pile anchor disposed on a seabed of the body of water or a
buoy on a surface of the body of water.
8. The split mooring system of claim 1, wherein the first vessel
and second vessel are less than 30 meters apart from each
other.
9. The split mooring system of claim 8, further comprises a
transfer hose attached between the first vessel and the second
vessel, wherein the transfer hose is configured to transfer
cryogenic materials.
10. A method for split mooring at least two vessels in a body of
water, the method comprising: placing a first vessel of the at
least two vessels adjacent to a second vessel of the at least two
vessels; attaching mooring lines to sides of the first vessel and
the second vessel that face open water of the body of water; fixing
a position of the first vessel and the second vessel in the body of
water with the mooring lines; and maintaining the fixed position of
the first vessel and the second vessel with the mooring lines.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: attaching a first
end of one or more spring lines to the first vessel; attaching a
second end of the one or more spring lines to the second vessel;
and maintaining a relative position of the first and second vessels
relative to each other with the one or more spring lines.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providing fenders
on the first vessel and/or the second vessel; and preventing
collisions, via the fenders, between a body of the first vessel and
a body of the second vessel.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the fixing of the position of
the first vessel and the second vessel comprises attaching a distal
end of each mooring line to an anchor.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising anchoring the anchor
in a seabed of the body of water.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising keeping the first
vessel and second vessel at a distance of less than 30 meters apart
from each other.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transferring
cryogenic materials between the first vessel and the second vessel
via a transfer hose.
17. A system comprising: a production vessel positioned a distance
apart from a floating storage unit in a body of water; a plurality
of mooring lines attached to the production vessel and the floating
storage, wherein the plurality of mooring lines is configured to
fix and maintain a position of the production vessel and the
floating storage in the body of water relative to each other; and a
transfer hose attached to a first adjacent side of the production
vessel and a second adjacent side of the floating storage, wherein
the transfer hose is configured to transfer cryogenic materials
from the production vessel to the floating storage, wherein the
first adjacent side and the second adjacent side face each other,
wherein the plurality of mooring lines is attached to a first
opposite side of the production vessel and a second opposite side
of the floating storage, and wherein the first opposite side is
opposite the first adjacent side and the second opposite side is
opposite the second adjacent side.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising one or more spring
lines having a first end attached to first adjacent side of the
production vessel and a second end attached to the second adjacent
side of the floating storage, wherein the one or more spring line
are configured to maintain a relative position of the production
vessel and the floating storage with each other.
19. The system of claim 17, further comprising fenders attached to
first adjacent side of the production vessel and/or the second
adjacent side of the floating storage, wherein the fenders are
configured to prevent collisions between the production vessel and
the floating storage.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the production vessel and the
floating storage are spaced apart a distance between 5 to 25
meters.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure
[0001] Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a mooring
system. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a
split mooring system to attach to and hold vessels near other
vessels in offshore operations.
Description of Related Art
[0002] In oilfield operations, offshore vessels, such as platform
supply vessels (PSV), offshore barges, anchor handling vessels,
construction support vessels (CSV), drilling vessels, well
intervention vessels, ice breaking vessels, crane vessels, cable
laying vessels, seismic vessels, and firefighting vessels, are
commonly used for various tasks, including, but not limited to,
hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon drilling and production,
holding and transporting hydrocarbons, safety platforms, and heavy
lift cranes. Before, during, and after operations, additional
support and/or the use of additional equipment may be beneficial to
the success of an operation in order to stabilize the vessel.
Historically, offshore vessels may use mooring systems to maintain
a position in a body of water. In conventional mooring systems, an
offshore vessel is anchored in position by a mooring line.
Conventional mooring systems may include various configurations
such as, but not limited to, a catenary mooring system, a taut leg
mooring system, a tension leg mooring system, a single point (buoy,
tower, or turret) mooring system, or a spread mooring system.
[0003] Additionally, oilfield operations may include a
vessel-to-vessel transfer of products while the offshore vessels
remain in the body of the water. Using a floating facility for the
production of hydrocarbon or other processing plant may accelerate
production schedules. However, processing plants may not have the
required storage for transportation parcels to be offloaded, thus
requiring the use of a storage vessel or Floating Storage Unit
("FSU") to which other carriers can take the cargo in adequate
parcel sizes. While traditional methods served their purpose,
problems arise with the proximity between the two offshore vessels
and how to maintain a safe distance between them. The use of
conventional mooring systems requires large distances between the
two offshore vessels. In a non-limiting example, for the transfer
of cryogenic materials, such as liquefied natural gas ("LNG"), the
length of the transfer hoses may be limited to less than 30 meters,
making the conventional mooring systems of two vessels challenging,
time consuming, and resource intensive such that it may be
un-feasible.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described below in the detailed
description. This summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0005] In one aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a
split mooring system. The split mooring system may include at least
two vessels in a body of water and a plurality of mooring lines.
The plurality of mooring lines may be attached to the at least two
vessels and configured to fix and maintain a position of the at
least two vessels in the body of water relative to each other. A
first vessel of the at least two vessels may be adjacent to a
second vessel of the at least two vessels. The plurality of mooring
lines may be attached to sides of the first vessel and the second
vessel. The sides of the first vessel and the second vessel with
mooring lines may face open water of the body of water.
[0006] In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate
to a method. The method may include placing a first vessel of the
at least two vessels adjacent to a second vessel of the at least
two vessels; attaching mooring lines to sides of the first vessel
and the second vessel that face open water of the body of water;
fixing a position of the first vessel and the second vessel in the
body of water with the mooring lines; and maintaining the fixed
position of the first vessel and the second vessel with the mooring
lines.
[0007] In yet another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein
relate to a system that may include a production vessel positioned
a distance apart from a floating storage unit in a body of water.
The system may also include a plurality of mooring lines attached
to the production vessel and the floating storage, the plurality of
mooring lines may be configured to fix and maintain a position of
the production vessel and the floating storage in the body of water
relative to each other. The system may further include a transfer
hose attached to a first adjacent side of the production vessel and
a second adjacent side of the floating storage, the transfer hose
may be configured to transfer cryogenic materials from the
production vessel to the floating storage. The first adjacent side
and the second adjacent side may face each other. The plurality of
mooring lines may be attached to a first opposite side of the
production vessel and a second opposite side of the floating
storage. The first opposite side may be opposite the first adjacent
side and the second opposite side is opposite the second adjacent
side.
[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a split mooring system for
an offshore vessel according to one or more embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0010] FIGS. 2A-2B show examples of a split mooring system for use
with an offshore vessel in accordance with one or more embodiments
of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures.
Like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like
reference numerals for consistency. Further, in the following
detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more
thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments
disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known features have not been described in
detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
[0012] Furthermore, those having ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that when describing a first element to a second element
disposed thereon, it is understood that disposing may be either
directly disposing the first element on the second element, or
indirectly disposing the first element on the second element. For
example, a first element may be directly disposed on a second
element, such as by having the first element and the second element
in direct contact with each other, or a first element may be
indirectly disposed on a second element, such as by having a third
element, and/or additional elements, disposed between the first and
second elements. As used herein, the term "attached to" or
"coupled" or "coupled to" or "connected" or "connected to" may
indicate establishing either a direct or indirect connection, and
is not limited to either unless expressly referenced as such.
Wherever possible, like or identical reference numerals are used in
the figures to identify common or the same elements. The figures
are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views
of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale for purposes of
clarification.
[0013] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein generally relate
to split mooring systems. In one or more embodiments, the split
mooring system may be designed for use with vessels, in particular,
offshore vessels or structures. Further, embodiments disclosed
herein are described with terms designating an offshore vessel in
reference to a floating vessel, but any terms designating offshore
structure (i.e., any platform or semi-submersible) should not be
deemed to limit the scope of the disclosure. It is to be further
understood that the various embodiments described herein may be
used in various stages of offshore oil and gas operations, such as
rig site preparation, drilling, completion, abandonment etc., and
in other environments, such as work-over rigs, fracking
installation, well-testing installation, oil and gas production
installation, without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of
useful applications, which are not limited to any specific details
of the embodiments herein. In other embodiments, the split mooring
systems may be designed for use in any marine environment without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0014] Split mooring systems, according to embodiments herein, are
systems that include a plurality of mooring lines for mooring at
least two vessels near each other in a body of water. In a
non-limiting example, a first set of the plurality of mooring lines
are attached to a first vessel and a second set of the plurality of
mooring lines are attached to a second vessel. In addition, spring
lines may be connected between the first vessel and the second
vessel to further aid in maintaining the relative positions of the
first and second vessels. Further, fenders may be provided on the
bodies of the first and second vessels to prevent collisions
between the two vessels. By splitting the plurality of mooring
lines between the first and second vessels, the need for a complete
mooring system on both vessels is eliminated such that the two
vessels may be maintained in close proximity while significantly
reducing HSE risks, potentially equipment damage, unwanted
downtime, and improve vessel-to-vessel transfer. As described in
the prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,561,563 and 9,272,755, which
are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference,
conventional methods require extensive mooring configurations to
moor two vessels side-by-side. Such conventional methods may be
both time consuming and may also increase HSE risks. Accordingly,
one or more embodiments in the present disclosure may be used to
overcome such challenges as well as provide additional advantages
over conventional methods of mooring two vessels side-by-side, as
will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
this disclosure.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1-2B, this disclosure describes
systems and methods of a split mooring system ("SMS") 100 for
mooring vessels side-by-side. In some embodiments, the SMS 100 is
used at an offshore site (in a body of water) to maintain a
position of two vessel being near each other. The SMS 100 may use a
wide variety of mooring lines to stabilize the vessels in a
position such that the vessels may be side-by-side to complete a
vessel-to-vessel transfer of products (i.e., moving equipment from
one vessel to another vessel, transfer of hydrocarbons or cryogenic
materials, scheduled repairs, replace equipment, etc.). One skilled
in the art will appreciate how the SMS 100 may be able to achieve
increased performance, decreased non-productive time (NPT), and
improved equipment life and maintenance.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, in one or more embodiments, a system
flow chart of a SMS 100 deployed at an offshore site is shown. The
SMS 100 includes a plurality of mooring lines 101 to be coupled to
a vessel(s). Further, it is also understood that depending on a
size, shape, and configuration of vessels (and its usage),
different sizes, numbers and/or types of mooring lines may be used.
For example, each mooring line of the plurality of mooring lines
101 may be a rope, wire, cable, chain or a combination thereof. In
a non-limiting example, each mooring line of the plurality of
mooring lines 101 may be made out of fibrous material, sisal, hemp,
linen, cotton, steel wire, metal chain, polyethylene (e.g., DYNEEMA
and SPECTRA), polypropylene, polyester (e.g., PET, LCP, VECTRAN),
nylon, aramid (e.g., TWARON, TECHNORA, and KEVLAR), acrylics (e.g.,
DRALON) or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the
plurality of mooring lines 101 may be split into a first set of
mooring lines 102 and a second set of mooring lines 103. The first
set of mooring lines 102 may be attached to a first vessel 104 such
that a first end of the mooring lines 102 is coupled to the first
vessel 104 and a second end of the mooring lines 102 is anchored to
maintain a position of the first vessel 104. In addition, the
second set of mooring lines 103 may be attached to a second vessel
105 such that a first end of the mooring lines 103 is coupled to
the second vessel 105 and a second end of the mooring lines 103 is
anchored to maintain a position of the second vessel 104. It is
further envisioned that the first and second vessel may be any
offshore structure. In a non-limiting example, the first vessel 104
may be a production vessel using a processing plant on a floating
facility and the second vessel 105 may be a storage vessel or a
floating storage unit ("FSU").
[0017] Using the SMS 100, the first vessel 104 and the second
vessel 105 may use the plurality of mooring lines 101 to be moored
in a body of water such that the vessels 104, 105 are proximate
each other. By having the vessels 104, 105 proximate each other,
vessels 104, 105 may have an adjacent side and an open side. The
adjacent side of the first vessel 104 may face the adjacent side of
the second vessel 105. The open side of the vessels 104, 105 may be
opposite the adjacent side of the vessels 104, 105. The open side
of the vessels 104, 105 may be a side that faces open water. In
addition, the adjacent side of the vessels 104, 105 may have no
mooring lines such that the plurality of mooring lines 101 are only
on the open side of the vessels 104, 105. In a non-limiting
example, the first vessel 104 and the second vessel 105 are moored
a distance of less than 30 meters apart from each other, such as a
distance of between 2 and 25 meters apart, or from 5 to 15 meters
apart, for example. It is further envisioned that one or more
transfer hoses may be interconnected between the first vessel 104
and the second vessel 105 such that a transfer of cryogenic
materials (e.g., liquefied natural gas) may occur from the first
vessel 104 to the second vessel 105 or vice versa.
[0018] Still referring to FIG. 1, in one or more embodiments, one
or more spring lines 106 may be connected to the first vessel 104
and the second vessel 105. The spring lines 106 may have a first
end attached the first vessel 104 and a second end attached to the
second vessel 105 such that the first and second vessels 104, 105
maintain a relative position with each other. The spring lines 106
may be made out of the same materials as the plurality of mooring
lines 101. Further, the spring lines 106 may limit a fore-and-aft
movement of the first vessel 104 and the second vessel 105 with
respect to each other.
[0019] In some embodiments, the first vessel 104 and/or the second
vessel 105 may include one or more fenders 107 attached thereon.
The fenders 107 may be attached to an outer surface the vessels
104, 105 to prevent collisions between a body of the first vessel
104 and a body of the second vessel 105 and thereby preventing
damage to the vessels 104,105. The fenders 107 may be made a rubber
material.
[0020] Though not shown in FIG. 1, in one or more embodiments, one
or more sensors may be included within the SMS 100. In a non-liming
example, the sensors may be a microphone, ultrasonic, ultrasound,
sound navigation and ranging (SONAR), radio detection and ranging
(RADAR), acoustic, piezoelectric, accelerometers, temperature,
pressure, weight, position, or any known sensor in the art to
detect changes to the position or conditions of the vessels 104,
105 and the plurality of mooring lines 101. For example, the one or
more sensors are located on the vessels 104, 105 and/or any mooring
line of the plurality of mooring lines 101 on locations where they
can gather data, be able to detect any damage/wear, and to
determine a location or movement of said vessels or mooring lines.
Further, global position system ("GPS") devices may also be used to
monitor the positions of the vessels 104, 105. In addition, one
skilled in the art will appreciate how a dynamic positioning system
(i.e., boat motors) may be used in conjunction with the SMS 100 to
aid in maintaining the positions of the vessels 104, 105 in the
body of water. It is further envisioned that the information
regarding the positions of the vessels 104, 105 may be accessed and
run from an existing control systems (i.e., a computer/control
panel at or on one or both of the vessels) and may include a
display as well as allowing remote access to the control
system.
[0021] Now referring to FIG. 2A, a perspective view of the SMS 100
deployed in a body of water 200 is illustrated in accordance with
in one or more embodiments. The first vessel 104 and the second
vessel 105 are floating within the body of water 200 at a buoyancy.
As discussed above, the first vessel 104 and the second vessel 105
may be moored with the plurality of mooring lines 101 to be a
distance of less than 30 meters apart from each other. Further
illustrated by FIG. 2A, the first set of mooring lines 102, used on
the first vessel 104, may include mooring lines 101A at a bow 201
of the first vessel 104 and mooring lines 101B at a stern 202 of
the first vessel 104 at a side (port or starboard) opposite the
second vessel 105. Additionally, the second set of mooring lines
103, used on the second vessel 105, may include mooring lines 101C
at a bow 203 of the second vessel 105 and mooring lines 101D at a
stern 204 of the second vessel 105 at a side (port or starboard)
opposite the first vessel 104. It is further envisioned that the
mooring lines 101A-D have one end connected to the vessels 104, 105
and a distal end of the mooring lines 101A-D is anchored. In a
non-limiting example, the mooring lines 101A-D may be coupled to an
anchor point (e.g., cleat or fairleads) on a hull of the vessels
104, 105. Furthermore, while the mooring lines 101A-D are shown in
pairs of mooring lines, one skilled in the art will appreciate how
this is only shown for examples purposes only and any number of
mooring lines may be used. It is further envisioned that while the
mooring lines 101A-D are shown attached to the bow and stern of the
vessels 104, 105, the mooring lines 101A-D may be attached to any
portion of the vessels 104, 105.
[0022] In one or more embodiments, the spring lines 106 may include
a bow spring 106A and a stern spring 106B connecting adjacent sides
of the vessels 104, 105. The spring lines 106A, 106B may run
diagonally forward or aft from the first vessel 104 to the second
vessel 105 at an angle to limit said vessel's relative fore-and-aft
movement. In a non-limiting example, if one of the vessels 104, 105
tries to move astern against the stern spring 106B, the stern
spring 106B will force the stern 202, 204 of said vessel 104, 105
inward and the bow 201, 203 of said vessel 104, 105 outward (or
vice-versa in use of the bow spring 106A) to maintain the position
of the vessels 104, 105 relative to each other. It is further
envisioned that the spring lines 106A, 106B may be attached to the
vessels 104, 105 at the bow 201, 203, at the stern 202, 204, or in
the middle of the vessels 104, 105, at midship or spring cleats. In
some embodiments, the spring lines 106A, 106B may be made of the
same materials as the plurality of mooring lines 101. Furthermore,
the spring lines 106A, 106B may be the same spring lines as those
used to dock the vessels 104, 105.
[0023] In FIG. 2B, a front view of the SMS 100 deployed in the body
of water 200 is illustrated in accordance with one or more
embodiments. As the first vessel 104 and the second vessel 105 are
floating within the body of water 200 at a buoyancy, a portion of
the hull of said vessels' 104, 105 may be underwater. It is further
envisioned that the plurality of mooring lines 101 may be affixed
to fairleads on the portion of the hull of said vessels' 104, 105
below a surface 200A of the body of water 200. Further illustrated
by FIG. 2B, each mooring line of the plurality of mooring lines 101
may have three parts. In a non-limiting example, each mooring line
may have a top portion 205 connected to the vessels 104, 105, a
bottom portion 206 connect to an anchor 208 (e.g., suction pile
anchor) in a seabed 200B, and a middle portion 207 connected
inter-between the top portion 205 and the bottom portion 206. In
some embodiments, top portion 205 is a chain line, the middle
portion 207 is a polyester line, and the bottom portion 206 is a
chain line. In order to maintain the position of the vessels 104,
105 in the body of water 200, each mooring line of the plurality of
mooring lines 101 is in tension. In a non-limiting example, to
maintain the position of the vessels 104, 105 in the body of water
200, a tension in a vertical direction T.sub.v and in a horizontal
direction T.sub.h at the point where the mooring line (101) is
coupled to the vessel (104, 105) is equal and opposite to a tension
in tension in a vertical direction T.sub.v and in a horizontal
direction T.sub.h at the point where the mooring line (101) is
coupled to the anchor (208). One skilled in the art will appreciate
how having one end of the mooring lines (101) coupled to the
vessels (104, 105) a distal end of the mooring lines (101) coupled
to the anchors (208), the SMS 100 may allow for the position of the
vessels (104, 105) in the body of water 200 to be maintained for 20
or more years.
[0024] In one or more embodiments, the one or more fenders 107
extend from the hull of the vessels (104, 105). Additionally, the
one or more fenders 107 may be removable or permanently fixed to
the hull of the vessels (104, 105). Further, the one or more
fenders 107 may be floating fenders in the body of water 200. The
one or more fenders may be used to absorb energy berthing against
the hull of the vessels (104, 105) such that damage to the hull of
the vessels (104, 105) may be prevented. In order to absorb energy,
the one or more fenders 107 may be made from rubber, foam
elastomer, plastic, or any combination thereof. It is further
envisioned that the one or more fenders 107 may be chosen based
most suitable for an application that depends on many variables,
including dimensions and displacement of the vessels (104, 105),
maximum allowable stand-off, berthing structure, tidal variations
and other berth-specific conditions. In a non-limiting example, the
one or more fenders 107 may be a cylindrical fender, arch fender,
cell fender, cone fender, pneumatic fender, submarine
hydro-pneumatic fender ("SHPF"), foam elastomer fender, D-type
fender, square fender, wing fender, keyhole fender, tugboat fender,
solid rubber fender, floating rubber fender, or any combination
thereof. Furthermore, one skilled in the art will appreciate how
the one or more fenders 107 may be designed to meet standards set
in the PIANC "Guidelines for the design of fender systems," the
Japanese Industrial Standards ("JIS"), and the British Standard BS
6349-4: 2014.
[0025] Furthermore, methods of the present disclosure may include
use of the split mooring system and other systems, such as in FIGS.
1-2B. Because the method may apply to any of the embodiments,
reference numbers are not referenced to avoid confusion of the
numbering between the different embodiments.
[0026] Initially, a first vessel and a second vessel are positioned
in a body of water and the vessels are placed adjacent to each
other. Then a plurality of mooring lines is used to fix and
maintain the relative positions of the vessels in the body of
water. In a non-limiting example, mooring lines are attached to the
first vessel and the second vessel. For example, the mooring lines
may only by attached to a side of the first vessel and the second
vessel that faces open water. By attached the mooring lines to only
the open water side, a side of the first vessel that faces a side
of the second vessel may have no mooring lines. Further, a distal
end of the mooring lines is attached to a corresponding anchor that
is anchored in a seabed. Once the mooring lines have an end
attached the first and second vessels and a distal end attached to
corresponding anchors, the relative position of the first and
second vessel is fixed and maintained in the body of water. It is
further envisioned that the first vessel may be positioned and
moored in the body of water first, and then the second vessel is
placed adjacent to the first vessel to then be moored in said
position. One skilled in the art will appreciate how the mooring
lines are split among the first vessel and the second vessel such
that each vessel does not need a complete mooring system.
[0027] Next, a first end of one or more spring lines may be
attached to the first vessel and a second end of the one or more
spring lines may be attached to the second vessel. The one or more
spring lines aid in maintaining a position of the first and second
vessels relative to each other. Furthermore, the one or more spring
lines may be angled from the first vessel to the second vessel to
limit said vessels' fore-and-aft movement relative to each other.
It is further envisioned that one or more fenders are provided on a
hull on the first vessel and/or the second vessel to aid in
preventing collisions between the hulls of the first and second
vessels. Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate how, with
the first vessel and the second vessel split moored in the body of
the water, the first vessel and the second vessel may be spaced and
kept at distance of less than 30 meters apart from each other in
the body of the water. With the first and second vessel at the
distance of less than 30 meters apart from each other, such as a
distance of between 2 and 25 meters apart, or from 5 to 15 meters
apart, one or more transfer hoses may be connected from the first
vessel to the second vessel such that materials, such as cryogenic
fluids, may be transferred between the first vessel and the second
vessel.
[0028] While the present disclosure has been described with respect
to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art,
having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other
embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of
the disclosure as described herein. Accordingly, the scope of the
disclosure should be limited only by the attached claims.
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