Patent ID: 6588359
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: B63B,B63C

Abstract:
A floating apparatus for transferring objects in a body of water from one surface vessel to another, the apparatus comprising:a slender elongated pylon; a cargo support at a first end of the pylon; a variable buoyancy chamber on the pylon between the first end of the pylon and a second end of the pylon; ballast carried by the pylon at the second end thereof, the ballast being of sufficient mass and being spaced from the variable buoyancy chamber by a sufficient distance to create a righting moment about the buoyancy chamber and establish an upright orientation of the pylon in the body of water with the cargo support disposed above the surface of the water and the ballast disposed below the surface of the water; and means for varying the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber so as to maintain a desired submersion depth of the buoyancy chamber in the body of water.