Patent ID: 7996942
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A system for transferring personnel or material from a transport vessel to a stationary platform at sea, wherein the system comprises: a ramp, wherein in use, a first end of the ramp is movably coupled to the transport vessel and a second end of the ramp is movably coupled to an interface; a first coupling, wherein the first coupling movably couples together the first end of the ramp and the transport vessel, and wherein the first coupling provides three rotational degrees-of-freedom and no more than one translational degree-of-freedom to the first end of the ramp; a second coupling, wherein the second coupling movably couples together the second end of the ramp and the interface, and wherein the second coupling provides one rotational degree-of-freedom to the second end of the ramp; the interface, wherein the interface is rotatably coupled to the stationary platform; and a third coupling, wherein the third coupling movably couples together the interface and the stationary platform, and wherein the third coupling provides one rotational degree-of-freedom to the interface, and further wherein the rotational degree-of-freedom of the interface is substantially orthogonal to the rotational degree-of-freedom of the second end of the ramp.