Patent ID: 6736082
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A method of retrieving and inserting an underwater buoy (12; 50) in a receiving space (11) at the bottom of a dynamically positioned vessel (10), wherein a pull-in line (16; 34) for interconnection with the buoy (12; 50) is lowered through the receiving space (11) and brought onto the deck (13) of the vessel (10), and the buoy (12; 50) is interconnected with the pull-in line (16; 34) and pulled into the receiving space (11) by means of a winch device (15; 65) on the vessel, comprising the steps ofattaching the pull-in line (16; 34) to a coupling unit (19; 32) on the deck (13) of the vessel (10), lowering the coupling unit (19; 32) with the pull-in line (16; 34) towards the buoy (12; 50) by use of a hoisting device (18; 30) on the vessel (10) with or without control of the dynamic positioning system of the vessel, placing the coupling unit (19; 32) on a cooperating device (20; 51, 52) on the top of the buoy (12; 50), whereby an end termination on the pull-in line (16; 34) is connected to the cooperating device (20; 51, 52), releasing the coupling unit (19; 32) from the cooperating device (20; 51, 52) and pulling the coupling unit onto the deck of the vessel (10) by means of the hoisting device (18; 30, 39), positioning the vessel (10) such that the buoy (12; 50) is located vertically below the receiving space (11), and pulling the buoy (12; 50) into the receiving space (11) by means of the winch device (15; 65).