Patent ID: 9688362
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: B63B

Claim:
1. A system for transferring fluid cargo between a cargo vessel and a cargo connection point at open sea where the cargo vessel is required to keep bow end portion of the cargo vessel up towards the resultant element force direction, the system comprising: the cargo connection point comprising a platform above sea surface; the cargo vessel; and at least one self-propelled buoy which is configured to be in fluid connection with the cargo connection point through at least one tubular which extends laterally between the platform and the buoy, and which is connectable to the vessel at solely one of two sides of the cargo vessel at a time, there being a cargo line that is connectable between the self-propelled buoy and the cargo vessel, and where the self-propelled buoy is operable to keep within predetermined radial distance boundaries from the cargo connection point also when it is attached to the cargo vessel, such that in use the buoy is spaced a lateral distance away from the platform and the vessel is arranged side-on to the platform; and where the self-propelled buoy and the cargo vessel are operable to turn a predetermined angle about the cargo connection point to maintain the bow end portion of the cargo vessel towards the direction of the resultant element force in a first element force direction sector, and where the self-propelled buoy is connectable to the other of the two sides of the cargo vessel in order to maintain the bow end portion of the cargo vessel towards the resultant element force direction in a second element force direction sector.