Patent ID: 9242705
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: B63B,B63H,E02B

Claim Text:
1. An icebreaking vessel for eliminating or rendering ice harmless in a surface area of water in proximity of an off-shore installation, said vessel comprising: an anchor configured to be deployed in an anchor line at a distance from the vessel; motive force means that provide power for moving the vessel while it is anchored; an anchor handling winch configured to wind or unwind the anchor line through a substantially straight internal passage extending from each of a first opening and a second opening in the vessel arranged below the motive force means of the vessel through to an opening arranged in a top most deck of the vessel, wherein the hull is a mono hull and the first and second openings are arranged in a flat portion defined on the bottom of the hull; wherein said vessel includes a bow and a stern, both of which are configured with a portion configured to break ice upon contact with the portion while the vessel remains stationary, wherein the vessel is capable of performing icebreaking tasks while it is anchored, said vessel being, by means of the motive force means or the anchor handling winch, movable across a surface area of the bed of the sea which has a significantly larger expanse than the expanse of the vessel, whereby the vessel is capable of eliminating or rendering the ice harmless in a surface area of the sea, wherein said first opening is arranged between the midship point of the vessel and the bow of the vessel, and said second opening is arranged between the midship point of the vessel and the stern of the vessel.