Patent ID: 6010295
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A transshipper for floating on water, comprising:a pair of buoyant vessels;a platform supported by the buoyant vessels in a raised position above the buoyant vessels through a plurality of vertical columns connecting the platform to the buoyant vessels;a ballast chamber in each buoyant vessel for receiving water as ballast inside the buoyant members, means for effecting entry or discharge of water into or from the ballast chambers, whereby the buoyant vessels are, respectively, lowered or raised in the water;a lifting conveyor for raising material to be unloaded from a barge to the platform and means for raising and lowering the lifting conveyor relative to the barge; andconnection means for attachment to a barge loaded with a supply of material, the connection means including traction means for effecting translational movement of the barge relative to the transshipper.