Patent ID: 7174841
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A watercraft suitable for transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG), said watercraft comprising: an elongate hull having a bottom, a deck extending over a substantial part of the length of the hull at a height above the bottom of the hull that does not exceed H a plurality of substantially spherical cargo tanks located in the hull at respective positions that are spaced apart longitudinally of the hull, said cargo tanks comprising an aft tank, at least first and second additional tanks forward of the aft tank, and a forward tank located forward of said first and second additional tanks, and a continuous protective casing structure that extends over the cargo tanks and has an uppermost continuous portion at a substantially uniform height H and wherein the protective casing structure is fixed to structures that are attached to the hull and is dimensioned so that it constitutes an essential part of the overall strength of the watercraft, H