Patent ID: 6524030
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B63B,F16L

Abstract:
A pipe-laying vessel comprising:means for propelling the vessel during pipe-laying; means for assembling sections of pipe generally horizontally on the vessel to form longer lengths; a tower at the bow of the vessel, with respect to an intended direction of movement during pipe-laying, pivotally mounted so that it can be angled to the vertical with the top of the tower being further forward in the intended direction of movement during pipe-laying than the bottom of the tower; means for raising a length of pipe from a deck to a position aligned with the tower; means for joining such a length of pipe to a pipeline being laid; tensioners arranged to grip such a pipeline and to lower it into the water while maintaining a desired tension in the pipeline; one or more clamps arranged to grip the pipeline below the tensioners; and a lower ramp provided with rollers and arranged to guide the pipeline as it leaves the vessel.