Patent ID: 7055448
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a mooring system, the mooring system comprising at least a first and a second mooring robot, each mooring robot having a robot arm with an attachment element for releasably fastening to a surface, the first and second robots each having first and second attachment elements respectively, wherein the operating method incorporates co-ordinated stepwise movements to re-position each attachment element between respective spaced apart starting and finishing positions, in which positions the attachment elements are fastened to the surface, the method comprising the steps: (a) firstly, while maintaining the second attachment element in its respective starting position, releasing the first attachment element from the surface; (b) secondly, while maintaining the second attachment element in its respective starting position, actuating the first mooring robot to move the first attachment element and re-fasten the first attachment element in its respective finishing position; (c) thirdly, while maintaining the first attachment element in its respective finishing position, releasing the second attachment element from the surface; and (d) fourthly, while maintaining the first attachment element in its respective finishing position, actuating the second mooring robot to move the second attachment element and re-fasten the second attachment element in its respective finishing position.