Patent ID: 7261164
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: B63B,E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for conveying a selected material through a body of water, the selected material being supplied from a floating facility, the floating facility further supplying a buoyant material, comprising: a selectively buoyant container having at least one compartment for storing the selected material and at least one floatation chamber for receiving the buoyant material, the container being adapted to be positioned adjacent the floating facility a source supplying buoyant material positioned proximate to the floating facility; a conduit connected to the container, the conduit having a first bore conveying the selected material to the container and a second bore conveying the buoyant material to the container, the first bore extending between the buoyant container and a transfer unit on the floating facility, the second bore connected to the source supplying buoyant material; a ballast control unit adjusting the buoyancy of the container; a tether connecting the container to a stationary location; a tension sensor measures tension in the tether; and controller controlling the ballast control unit in response to the measured tension.