Patent Publication Number: US-8539970-B2

Title: Device for transferring a fluid to a ship, ship, transfer system and associated method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Phase conversion of PCT/FR2008/050566, filed Mar. 31, 2008, which claims benefit of French Application No. 07/54438, filed Apr. 12, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The PCT International Application was published in the French language. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns a device for transferring a fluid to a ship, of the type comprising:
         a support platform defining a support surface having an outer edge;   a manifold disposed on top of the support surface and intended to be connected to a fluid tank located on the ship, the manifold comprising:   a length of rigid tube having an outer end located facing the support surface, the length of rigid tube defining an inner pipe with approximately horizontal axis in the region of the outer end; and   a length of connecting tube, attached to the length of rigid tube, the length of connecting tube having a free end capable of projecting beyond the outer edge in order to be connected to a first fluid transfer line, and defining an inner passage opening into the inner pipe and at the free end.       

     Such a device is applied in particular to the transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) between a transport ship and a storage installation for the product located at sea and/or an unloading installation for the product, known as a terminal. 
     In order to transport the liquefied natural gas between the production zones located at sea and storage areas located in the vicinity of the coast, it is known to load or unload tankers at sea, mooring the ship to a loading or unloading station at sea. 
     The stations comprise a gantry which carries a fluid transfer line. The line is formed for example by a plurality of rigid tubes hinged to one another or by a cryogenic flexible pipe suspended on the gantry. In the latter case, and in order to permit the loading of the LNG into the ship, or its unloading, the cryogenic flexible pipe must be connected to a loading pipeline, designated by the term “manifold”, of a tanker. 
     Taking into account the large number of tankers crossing the seas, it is known to provide a removable connector fitting on the one hand on the flexible pipe and on the other hand on the manifold of a particular ship. 
     The removable connector, when it is attached to the manifold, extends the latter beyond the outer edge of the ship. Thus it is possible to make the connection between the flexible pipe and the ship at a point located outside the ship, in particular when the flexible pipe assumes a “catenary” configuration, with its attachment end inclined upwards. 
     To this end, from EP-A-1 324 944 a transfer device of the aforesaid type is known in which the tubular connector is stored at rest on the loading or unloading installation for LNG at sea, and is then connected to the manifold of the ship by means of a crane, after the ship has been moored to the installation. 
     Since the connector is carried by the installation when it is not connected to the ship, no connecting device projects out from the side of the ship while it is navigating. 
     Such a device does not however give complete satisfaction. When the sea is rough, the relative movement of the ship with respect to the installation considerably impedes the fixing of the rigid tubular connector onto the manifold. The manoeuvring difficulties render the fluid transfer time-consuming and not very secure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the invention is to provide a device for transferring a fluid between an installation for loading or unloading the fluid and a ship and which makes it possible to carry out in a rapid and safe manner the connection between the installation and the ship, even in the case of a rough sea, while allowing the ship to navigate without encumbrance when loading is completed. 
     To this end, the subject of the invention is a device of the aforesaid type, characterized in that the length of connecting tube is permanently attached to the length of rigid tube and is hinged onto the length of rigid tube in order to allow movement relative to the length of rigid tube between:
         a retracted rest position in which the length of connecting tube extends entirely inside the outer edge; and   a first filling position, in which the free end of the length of connecting tube projects beyond the outer edge.       

     The device of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:
         in the first filling position, the inner passage has an axis inclined downwards in the region of the free end of the length of connecting tube;   the length of connecting tube is movable relative to the length of rigid tube approximately in a vertical plane between the rest position and the first filling position;   the length of connecting tube is movable relative to the length of rigid tube approximately in a horizontal plane between the rest position and the first filling position, the manifold comprising a carriage for supporting the length of connecting tube, movably mounted on the support surface;   the length of connecting tube is hinged on the length of rigid tube at a branching point located on the inside with respect to the outer end of the length of rigid tube, the length of rigid tube comprising an end extension of non-zero length extending between the branching point and the outer end, and the length of rigid tube has at its outer end an additional end-piece for connection to a second fluid transfer line, the inner pipe opening to the outside at the outer end;   the length of connecting tube in its first filling position comprises a portion extending approximately parallel to the end extension of the length of rigid tube;   the length of connecting tube is formed by a flexible hose, the flexible hose being flexible over approximately its entire length;   the flexible hose is permanently attached to the outer end of the length of rigid tube, the length of connecting tube being capable of assuming a second filling position, in which the free end of the length of connecting tube extends approximately horizontally in the axis of the length of rigid tube;   the length of connecting tube comprises a stiffening assembly added on to the flexible hose to limit its curvature in the region of the free end;   the stiffening assembly comprises a plurality of vertebrae hinged to one another by controlled articulations, the controlled articulations being capable of assuming a rest configuration in which the vertebrae are immobilised relative to one another and a release configuration in which the vertebrae are movable relative to one another; and   the length of connecting tube comprises a rigid tubular element mounted to be movable on the length of rigid tube by means of an articulation means.       

     The invention also has as its subject a ship for transporting a fluid, characterized in that it comprises a fluid tank, and a transfer device such as defined above, the outer edge of the support platform defining at least partially the outer edge of the ship, the space below the free end of the length of connecting tube in its first filling position being completely clear. 
     The invention also has as its subject a fluid transfer system, characterized in that it comprises:
         a fluid transfer installation located in contact with a stretch of water and comprising a fluid transfer line;   a ship as defined above, floating on the stretch of water, the transfer line being connected to the free end of the length of connecting tube.       

     The invention also has as its subject a method for transferring a fluid to a ship in an assembly such as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
         moving the ship towards the transfer installation, the length of connecting tube being in its retracted rest position;   positioning the ship facing the transfer installation and moving the length of connecting tube from its rest position to its first filling position; and   connecting the transfer line of the transfer installation to the free end of the length of connecting tube.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will become clearer from the following description, provided solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view in elevation of a LNG transfer system comprising a transfer device according to the invention connected to a first distribution installation having a flexible transfer pipe; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective three-quarter front view of the manifold of the transfer device of  FIG. 1 , in a first filling position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the transfer device of  FIG. 1 , during a fluid transfer; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  during a transfer carried out from a second installation equipped with a transfer line formed by rigid elements hinged to one another; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , during navigation of the ship, after the transfer; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a variant of the first transfer device; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  of a second transfer device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view from above of a stiffening assembly for a length of flexible tube of the second transfer device; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial view in section along the plane IX-IX of a detail of the stiffening assembly of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  of a third transfer device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the transfer device shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  of another variant of the first transfer device; and 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A transfer system  10  for transferring a fluid, in particular a hydrocarbon consisting for example of liquefied natural gas (LNG), is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
     The transfer system  10  comprises an installation  12  for the loading and/or unloading of LNG and which is located at sea, a ship  14  for the storage and regasification of the LNG, and a first transfer device  16  for transferring LNG between the installation  12  and the ship  14 , carried by the ship  14 . 
     The loading installation  12  comprises a LNG tank  18 , a floating gantry  20  for unloading the LNG and a transfer line  22  formed, in the example shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , by a cryogenic flexible pipe connecting the tank  18  to the gantry  20 . The installation  12  further comprises handling means  24  for manoeuvring the flexible pipe  22 . 
     The tank  18  is suitable for collecting and storing LNG produced by LNG production plants. It is preferably located under the sea. 
     The floating gantry  20  carries the flexible pipe  22  via the handling means  24 . 
     In this example, the flexible pipe  22  comprises a cryogenic pipe  26  equipped with a free end  28  for connection to the transfer device  16 . The pipe is, for example, of the type developed and marketed by the company FLEXI FRANCE. 
     In a known manner, the free end  28  comprises a butterfly safety valve  30  of the type described in the application WO 03/004925, and a guide sleeve  31  connected to the cryogenic pipe  26  and extending parallel to the pipe  26  towards the ship  14  in the region of the free end  28 . The free end  28  further comprises a connector  32  of the stirrup or clamp type, illustrated for example in EP-A-1 324 944. 
     The pipe  26  is in a “catenary” configuration between the gantry  20  and its free end  28 . 
     The ship  14  comprises at least one LNG tank  34  disposed in its central part. Throughout the following, the terms “inner”, “outer”, “longitudinal”, “transverse” “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “horizontal” and “vertical” are to be understood as in relation to the ship  14 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the transfer device  16  comprises an approximately horizontal loading platform  40 , at least one manifold  42  which extends supported on top of the platform  40 , and means  44  for handling the manifold  42  and formed by a crane. 
     The loading platform  40  is integral with the deck of the ship  14 . It has an approximately horizontal support surface  46  on which the manifold  42  is supported. The support surface  46  is bounded by an outer lateral edge  48  which partially defines the outer lateral edge of the ship  14 . Thus, no part of the ship  14  projects out beyond the lateral edge  48  of the platform  40 . The space delimited downwards and towards the outside of the ship by the outer edge  48  of the platform  40  is therefore totally clear. 
     According to the invention, the manifold  42  includes a length of rigid tube  50 , extending opposite the support surface  46 , and a length of connecting tube  52  for connection to the transfer line  22  and hinged onto the length of rigid tube  50  via articulation means  54 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the length of rigid tube  50  extends along a transverse axis X-X′ of the ship. It has an inner tubular element  56  connected to the tank  34  and an outer tubular element  58  onto which the length of connecting tube  52  is hinged. 
     The inner tubular element  56  extends transversely relative to the ship, on the inside in relation to the outer edge  48 . It has an inner support leg  60  fixed onto the upper surface  46  and, at its outer end, a flange  62  for attaching the outer tubular element  58 . 
     The outer tubular element  58  is equipped with an outer support leg  66  permanently attached to the surface  46 . The element  58  extends between an inner flange  68  fixed onto the fixing flange  62  of the inner element  56 , and an outer flange  70  forming an end-piece for connection to a second fluid transfer line, as will be seen hereinafter. The element  58  further comprises a lateral branching  72  for the attachment of the length of connecting tube  52 . 
     The outer flange  70  extends at the outer end  74  of the length of rigid tube  50 . It extends in an approximately longitudinal vertical plane in relation to the ship, inside the outer edge  48 . Thus, the flange  70  is located opposite the upper surface  46 , set back from the outer edge  48 . 
     The flange  70  is adapted to receive a complementary flange of a rigid LNG transport line, as will be described hereinafter. 
     A plug  75  is screwed onto the flange  70  at the outer end  74  when the flange  70  is not connected to a transport line. 
     The tubular elements  56  and  58  delimit internally a hydrocarbon flow pipe  76 , with axis X-X′. The pipe  76  connects the tank  34  to the outer end  74  through which it opens out. 
     The branching  72  extends approximately perpendicularly to the axis X-X′. It delimits an inner opening  78  which opens into the pipe  76 . The lateral branching  72  connects the length of rigid tube  50  to the articulation means  54 . 
     The length of connecting tube  52  is permanently attached to the length of rigid tube  50  at the free end of the branching  72 . It therefore defines, on the length of rigid tube  50 , an end extension of non-zero length extending between the branching  72  and the free end  74 . 
     In this example, the length of connecting tube  52  is formed by a rigid tubular element which comprises an inner elbow  80  connected to the articulation means  54 , an intermediate tubular portion  82  and an outer elbow  84  having a free end  86  equipped with a flange  87  intended to receive the flexible pipe  22 . 
     The inner elbow  80  connects the articulation means  54  to the intermediate portion  82 . 
     The intermediate portion  82  is equipped with a retaining leg  88  intended to bear on the support surface  46 . It extends approximately parallel to the axis X-X′ when the leg  88  is arranged bearing on the support surface  46 . 
     The outer elbow  84  extends approximately in a vertical plane. It is inclined downwards in the region of the free end  86  when the leg  88  bears on the surface  46 . 
     The length of connecting tube  52  defines an inner passage  89  for the flow of hydrocarbons. The passage  89  opens into the opening  78  via the articulation means  54  in order to connect to the pipe  76 . The passage  89  also opens out at the free end  86 . 
     The length of connecting pipe  52  is equipped, in the region of its free end  86 , with a guide rod  89 A intended to be introduced into the guide sleeve  31 , and with a winch  89 B for pulling the free end  28 . The rod  89 A extends approximately parallel to the axis of the passage  89 . 
     The articulation means  54  comprise a revolving joint  90  with longitudinal axis Y-Y′. 
     The revolving joint  90  connects the elbow  80  to the branching  72  so as to be rotatable about the axis Y-Y′. 
     According to the invention, the length of connecting tube  52  is mounted to be movable in rotation about a longitudinal horizontal axis Y-Y′, between a retracted rest position, shown in  FIG. 5 , and a first filling position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The length of connecting tube  52  thus moves approximately in a vertical plane. 
     In the rest position shown in  FIG. 5 , the length of connecting tube  52  extends approximately vertically opposite the support surface  46 . It is thus disposed entirely inside the outer edge  48 . No part of the length of connecting tube  52  projects out beyond the outer edge  48 . 
     In the rest position, the elbow  80  and the intermediate tubular portion  82  extend in an approximately vertical plane, and the outer elbow  84  is inclined upwards and towards the outside. The leg  88  protrudes externally away from and above the support surface  46 . A bearing abutment (not shown) integral with the platform  40  is provided in order to wedge the length of connecting tube  52 . A plug  91  is then fixed onto the flange  87  to block the passage  89  towards the outside. 
     In the first filling position shown in  FIG. 3 , the length of connecting tube  52  has been pivoted downwards and towards the outside about the axis Y-Y′. In this position, the leg  88  is arranged so as to bear on the support surface  46 . The outer elbow  84  projects outside in relation to the outer edge  48  of the platform  40  so that its free end  86  extends opposite the stretch of water on which the ship is floating. The plug  91  has been removed to free the passage  89 . 
     In this position, the inner elbow  80  and the intermediate portion  82  extend in a plane approximately parallel to the support surface  46 , above the surface  46 . The intermediate portion  82  extends parallel to the axis X-X′. The outer elbow  84  is inclined downwards and the passage  89  opens out inclined downwards, at the free end  86 . 
     The operation of the transfer system  10  according to the invention will now be described. 
     Initially, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the ship  14  approaches the loading installation  12  to be positioned opposite the installation  12 . During this movement, the length of connecting tube  52  of the manifold  42  is disposed in its rest position, in which it is retracted in register with the support surface  46  of the platform  40 . Thus, no part of the manifold  42  projects beyond the lateral edge  48  of the platform  40 . 
     Then, when the ship  14  is opposite the installation  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , it is immobilised by anchoring. 
     The crane  44  for handling the manifold  42  is then actuated in order to bring the length of connecting tube  52  from its rest position to its first filling position. 
     To this end, the length of connecting tube  52  is pivoted downwards about the longitudinal axis Y-Y′ until the leg  88  abuts against the support surface  46  of the platform  40 . The free end  86  then projects beyond the outer edge  48 , while being inclined downwards. This configuration of the length of connecting tube  52  is particularly adapted to receiving a flexible pipe  22  in the shape of a catenary. 
     The means  24  for handling the flexible pipe  22  are then actuated in order to bring the free end  28  of the flexible pipe  22  opposite the free end  86  of the length of connecting tube  52 . 
     Then, the ends  86 ,  28  are connected to each other by means of the guide means  31 ,  89 A,  89 B provided respectively on the pipe  26  and on the length of connecting tube  52 . 
     To this end, the winch  89 B is used to pull the free end  28  towards the free end  86 , and the guide rod  89 A penetrates into the sleeve  31  to index the relative movement of the ends  28 ,  86  towards each other. 
     The LNG is then transported continuously from the underwater tank  18  through the cryogenic pipe  26 , the passage  89  provided in the length of connecting tube  52 , the opening  78  defined by the lateral branching  72  and the pipe  76  defined inside the length of rigid tube  50 , to the tank  34  in the ship. 
     In an emergency, the emergency disconnection valve  30  releases the free end  28  of the cryogenic pipe  26  with respect to the free end  86  of the manifold  42 . 
     In addition, the space below the pipe  26  is completely clear, so that the pipe  26  does not abut against a part of the ship  14 , even if it is not retained by the handling means  24 . 
     When the loading of the hydrocarbons into the tank  34  is completed, the free end  28  of the flexible pipe  26  is disconnected from the free end  86  of the length of connecting tube  52 . 
     The length of connecting tube  52  is then moved from its first filling position to its rest position by means of the handling crane  44 . 
     The manifold  42  opens out at the free end  86  of the length of connecting tube  52  and at the outer end  74  of the length of rigid tube  50 . It is therefore equally suitable for being connected to loading installations  12  having a flexible transfer pipe  22  by the free end  86 , or to installations  12  having an articulated arm, comprising rigid elements hinged to one another, by the outer end  74 . 
     Thus, in the variant shown partially in  FIG. 4 , the installation  12  comprises an articulated loading arm, formed by a plurality of rigid elements  100  hinged to one another on the gantry  20 . 
     The rigid elements comprise a tubular connecting element  102  which extends approximately horizontally during its connection to the manifold  42  of the ship. The element  102 , at its free end, has a connecting flange  104  which extends in a vertical plane approximately perpendicular to the transverse axis X-X′ of the ship  14 . 
     In order to make the connection between the manifold  42  and the rigid connecting element  102 , the outer flange  70  of the outer tubular element  58  is used after removal of the plug  75 . To this end, the connecting flange  104  is brought opposite the outer flange  70  and is screwed onto the flange  70 . Then, the LNG is loaded onto the ship  14  via the pipe  76 . 
     During this operation, the length of connecting tube  52  is maintained in its retracted rest position. The plug  91  blocks the passage  89 . 
     A variant of the first transfer device  10  is shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Differing from the transfer device shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the leg  88  comprises a support block  105  integral with the support surface  46  and delimiting a groove  106  for receiving the length of connecting tube  52 . 
     The leg  88  further comprises a locking cap  107  welded onto the portion  82 . The cap  107  has in addition an upper head  107 B made of rubber. 
     When the length  52  is in its first filling position, a pin  107 A is removably engaged through the block  105  and the cap  107  in order to lock the length of connecting tube  52  in position in the groove  106 . 
     The articulation means  54 , in addition to the revolving joint  90 , comprise a rotating shaft  108  with longitudinal axis Y-Y′, added onto the length of connecting tube  52 . The shaft  108  projects longitudinally from the inner elbow  80 , on the opposite side from the branching  72 . The rotating shaft  108  is rotatably received in a tripod  109  integral with the support surface  46 . 
     Differing from the transfer device  16  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the handling means  44  comprise a rotatable toothed pinion  110 , an endless screw  111  meshing on the rotatable pinion  110  to drive it in rotation, and a drive means  112  of the hydraulic, pneumatic or electric drive type capable of being actuated by an operator present on the platform  40 . 
     The rotatable pinion  110  is integral with the length of connecting tube  52  and is movable together with the length of tube  52  about the axis Y-Y′. 
     It is fixed on the length of tube  52  in the region of the revolving joint  90  and extends in a transverse vertical plane. 
     The screw  111  is mounted to be rotatable relative to the platform  40  about a transverse axis. It is mechanically connected to the drive means  112 . The actuation of the drive means  112  drives the endless screw  111  about its axis and, consequently, the rotatable pinion  110  about the axis Y-Y′. 
     The transfer device  16  further comprises a housing  113  for retaining the length of connecting tube  52  in its retracted rest position. The housing is fixed on the support surface  46  on the opposite side from the leg  88  in relation to the axis Y-Y′. 
     The operation of this variant is similar to that of the first transfer device  16 . 
     In its retracted rest position, the length of connecting tube  52  has been pivoted through around 180° about the axis Y-Y′ and is received in the retaining housing  113  on the opposite side from the leg  88 . To this end, the intermediate portion  82  extends parallel to the support surface  46  and the outer elbow  84  projects upwards. The upper head  107 B made of rubber bears in the retaining housing  113 . 
     The length of connecting tube  52  is thus located entirely inside the outer edge  48 . 
     When the length of connecting tube  52  has to be brought into its first filling position, an operator actuates the drive means  112  and thus rotates the endless screw  111  about its transverse axis. 
     The rotation of the screw  111  causes the rotatable pinion  110  to be rotated about the axis Y-Y′ and consequently causes the length of connecting tube  52  to be rotated about the axis Y-Y′ via the revolving joint  90 . 
     When the length of tube  52  has turned outwards through around 180°, the intermediate portion  82  is received in the groove  106  and abuts against the support block  105 . 
     The pin  107 A is then introduced into the cap  107  above the intermediate portion  82  and into the block  105  in order to lock the length of connecting tube  52  in the leg  88  and block the groove  106  in an upward direction. 
     During the rotation of the length of tube  52 , the shaft  108  guides and supports the length of connecting tube  52  in the region of the inner elbow  80 , thereby facilitating its movement and rendering the transfer device  16  reliable. 
     A second transfer device  120  according to the invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . Contrary to the first transfer device  16 , the length of rigid tube  50  of the transfer device  120  is devoid of any outer tubular element  58  opening out at an outer end. 
     The length of connecting tube  52  is formed by a tubular flexible hose  122  permanently attached to the outer end  123  of the length of rigid tube  50 . 
     The inner filling pipe  76  opens out only towards the outside in the flexible hose  122 . 
     The platform  40  comprises a support clamp  124  integral with the support surface  46 , disposed in the region of the outer edge  48 , and capable of supporting the flexible hose  122  so that the latter extends along the axis X-X′ between the outer end  123  and the clamp  124 . 
     The flexible hose  122  comprises a fixed end  125 A, integral with the outer end  123  of the length of rigid tube  50  and a free end  125 B, movable by twisting the flexible hose  122  about its fixed end  125 A by means of the handling crane  44 . In this example, the flexible hose  122  and the manifold  42  open towards the outside only at the free end  125 B. 
     The crane  44  thus comprises a winch  126  movable transversely relative to the ship  14  above the flexible hose  122 . The winch  126  comprises an end hook  128  fixed on the free end  125 B and movable towards the winch  126 , along an approximately vertical axis. 
     The free end  125 B of the flexible hose  122  is thus movable between a first filling position, intended to receive the free end  28  of a cryogenic pipe  26 , a second filling position intended to receive the free end  104  of an articulated loading arm  100 , and a retracted rest position to allow navigation of the ship by twisting the flexible pipe  122  into an approximately vertical plane. 
     In the rest position, the free end  125 B has been brought near the winch  126 , above the platform  46  and the fixed end  125 A. The flexible hose  122  is curved upwards and is located entirely inside the outer edge  48 . 
     In the first intermediate filling position, the flexible hose  122  is disposed so as to bear on and be locked upwards on the clamp  124  in order prevent its movement. The flexible hose  122  then, by deformation, has an area bent downwards in the region of its free end  125 B which projects beyond the outer edge  48  of the platform  40 . 
     In the second filling position, the flexible hose  122  is held linearly along the axis X-X′ by the winch  126 . The flange located at the free end  125 B extends in an approximately vertical plane, in order to facilitate the connection of an articulated arm  100 . 
     The connection of the manifold  42  to the loading installations  12  is otherwise similar to that described for the first transfer system  10 . 
     As a variant, sleeves  130  forming a stiffening assembly  132  are disposed around the flexible hose  122 , in the region of the free end  125 B, in order to limit the maximum curvature of the flexible hose  122  between the clamp  124  and the free end  1252  in its first filling position. 
     The sleeves  130  may be fitted into one another or connected by a rigid element in order to assume a horizontal configuration with axis X-X′ and hold the flexible hose  122  in its second filling position. 
     In another variant shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the stiffening assembly  132  comprises a plurality of hollow rigid vertebrae  234  articulated end to end by controllable articulations  236 . 
     Each vertebra  234  comprises a hollow sleeve  238  with transverse axis extended at its outer and inner ends by two pairs of axial lugs  240 A,  2402 . 
     The lugs  240 A,  2402  project relative to the sleeve  238  on either side of its axis. The lugs  240 A,  240 B of each pair are disposed opposite each other and, by moving about the axis of the sleeve  238 , delimit two notches  241  opening out axially. 
     As will be seen hereinafter, the outer lugs  240 A of each sleeve  238  are held, at rest, against the inner lugs  2402  of an adjacent sleeve  238  by the controllable articulations  236 . 
     Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , each lug  240 A,  240 B has a bearing face  242 A,  242 B bearing on the other lug  240 B,  240 A, respectively, a free face  244 A,  244 B opposed to the bearing face  242 A,  242 B, respectively, and a through opening  248 A,  248 B for the passage of the articulation  236  opening into the faces  242 A,  242 B,  244 A,  244 B. 
     The sleeves  238  and the lugs  240 A,  240 B of the vertebrae  234  delimit on the inside an opening  250  for receiving the flexible hose  122  and into which is inserted an outer portion of the flexible hose  122  located in the region of the free end  125 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the controllable articulations  236 , for each pair of lugs  240 A,  240 B bearing one against the other, comprise a rod  252  for articulating and holding the lugs  240 A,  240 B, and a jack  246  for controlling the rod  252 . 
     The rod  252  comprises a central portion  253  engaged through the through openings  248 A,  248 B of the lugs  240 A,  240 B, a clamping head  254  applied to a free face  244 A of a first lug  240 A and an actuating head forming a piston  256  of the jack  246 . 
     The jack  246 , besides the piston  256 , comprises a chamber  258  fitted on the free face  244 B of a second lug  240 B, a spring  260  for urging the clamping head  254  towards the free face  244 A, and a hydraulic assembly  262  for moving the piston  256  towards the free face  244 B. 
     The chamber  258  slidingly receives a part of the central portion  253  and the piston  256 . In addition it receives the spring  260  which is interposed, bearing between the piston  256  and the free face  244 B of the second lug  240 B. 
     Each controllable articulation  236  is capable of being actuated between a rest configuration, in which the lugs  240 A,  240 B are immobilised with respect to each other in order to prevent the relative movement of two adjacent vertebrae  234 , and a release configuration, in which the lugs  240 A,  240 B are released to permit the relative movement of two adjacent vertebrae  234  by pivoting about the rods  252 . 
     In the rest configuration, the hydraulic assembly  262  is inactive. The spring  260  holds the clamping head  254  against the free face  244 A, in order to clamp the lugs  240 A,  240 B between the clamping head  254  and the spring  260 . The bearing faces  242 A,  242 B are then firmly fitted one against the other in order to prevent movement of the vertebrae  234 . 
     In the release configuration, the hydraulic assembly  262  is actuated. It exerts a force on the piston  256  in opposition to the spring  260 , thereby moving the clamping head  254  away from the free face  244 A. The bearing faces  242 A,  242 B are then free to move relative to each other, thereby permitting the pivoting of the vertebrae  234  about the rods  252 . 
     The stiffening assembly  132  is therefore capable of selectively maintaining the flexible hose  122  in its first, downwardly inclined, filling position, or in its second, horizontal, filling position, when the controllable articulations  236  are in their rest configuration. 
     In order to bring the flexible hose  122  into one or the other of its first and second positions, the controllable articulations  236  are brought into their release configuration by actuating the hydraulic assemblies  262 . The vertebrae  234  are then moved, together with the flexible hose  122 , to the desired position, before the deactivation of the hydraulic assemblies  262 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the rods  252  are all parallel to the same approximately horizontal direction, thereby allowing movement of the flexible hose in a vertical plane perpendicular to that direction. As a variant, the rods  252  at the ends of at least one vertebra  234  may be brought parallel to at least two different directions in order to permit movement of the flexible hose  122  in at least two planes. 
     In another variant, a revolving joint  270  is interposed between the flexible hose  122  and an end vertebra  234 A. The vertebrae  234  are then movable in rotation relative to the flexible hose  122  about the axis of the flexible hose  122 , by means of the revolving joint  270 , in order to permit the movement of the flexible hose  122  by twisting in any plane about its axis. 
     A third transfer device  140  is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Differing from the second transfer device  120 , the handling means  44  comprise a carriage  142  for supporting the flexible pipe  122  and rails  144  for movement of the carriage  142 . 
     The carriage  142  comprises guide legs  146 , slidingly engaged in the rails  144  and a handling arm  148  extending parallel to the axis X-X′ above and opposite the free end  125 B of the flexible hose  122 . The arm  148  is equipped with a winch  150  for moving the free end  125 B in a vertical plane. 
     The rails  144  are fixed onto the platform  40  to define a curved guide path with axis locally perpendicular to the carriage  142 . The carriage  142  is thus movable along the rails  40  between a configuration for usage of the length of connecting tube  52  shown at the bottom in  FIG. 11 , and a configuration for retraction of the length of tube  52  shown at the top in  FIG. 11 . 
     In the usage configuration, the carriage  142  extends approximately parallel to the axis X-X′ and holds the flexible hose  122  in a plane approximately transverse to the ship. In the retraction configuration, the carriage  142  holds the flexible hose  122  in a bent rest configuration, in which the free end  125 B is located opposite the platform  40  and is offset longitudinally between the free ends  125 B of two parallel manifolds  42 . In this configuration, all of the flexible hose  122  is located inside the outer edge  48 , thereby maintaining the length of connecting tube  52  in its retracted rest position. 
     In order to bring the length of connecting tube  52  from its rest position to its first or second filling position, the carriage  142  is moved from its retraction configuration to its usage configuration in which the flexible hose  122  is disposed along the axis X-X′. The flexible hose  122  thus moves in an approximately horizontal plane swept by the carriage  142 . 
     In this position of the carriage  142 , the length of connecting tube  52  is in its second filling position, in which the free end  125 B extends along the axis X-X′ 
     In order to bring the length of connecting tube  52  into its first filling position, the winch  150  is actuated to lower the free end  125 B downwards, and bend the flexible hose  122  downwards in a vertical plane, as illustrated by dotted lines in  Figure 10 . 
     As a variant, and as for the second transfer device  120 , a stiffening assembly  132  may be mounted on the flexible hose  122 . 
     A fourth transfer device  310  according to the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The device  310  is a variant of the first transfer device shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Differing from the device shown in  FIG. 6 , the transfer device  310  comprises a fixed inner tubular element  56 , connected to the tank  34 , and an outer tubular element  58  movable on the support surface  46  of the platform  40 , being carried on a main conveying carriage  312  and on an auxiliary conveying carriage  314 . 
     To this end, the ship  14  comprises a plurality of tubular elements  56  located parallel to one another on one edge of the ship  14 . 
     The support surface  46  comprises an inner guide rail  316  for guiding the movement of the main conveying carriage  312  and an outer guide rail  318  for guiding the auxiliary conveying carriage  314 . 
     The inner rail  316  extends axially relative to the ship  14 , parallel to the lateral edge  48 , between a usage region  320 , located opposite the tanks  34  and the inner tubular elements  56 , and a storage region  322 , located axially away from the inner tubular elements  56 . 
     The inner rail  316  extends in the region of the fixing flanges  62  of the inner tubular elements  56  between the elements  56  and the outer rail  318 . The outer rail  318  extends in the region of the lateral edge  48  of the ship. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the main carriage  312  comprises a support frame  324  for the outer tubular element  58  and a slide  326  for guiding on the rail  316 , carrying the frame  324 . 
     The frame  324  has legs  328  for fixing on the slide  326  and equipped with damping discs  329 , and a support cradle  330  for the inner tubular element  56 , supported by the legs  328 . The cradle  330  carries on one side the tubular element  58  and on the other side the means  54  for articulation of the length of connecting tube  52  including the revolving joint  90 , the rotating shaft  108 , the toothed pinion  110  and the drive means  112  for the toothed pinion. 
     The slide  326  is engaged around the inner rail  316  in order to guide the movement of the conveying carriage  312  longitudinally relative to the ship along the rail  316 . 
     The auxiliary carriage  314  also comprises a slide  332  engaged on the outer rail  318 , and two legs  334  equipped with damping discs  336 . 
     The legs  334  carry the support block  105  for the length of connecting tube  52 . When the length of connecting tube  52  is in its first filling position, the assembly formed by the outer tubular element  58  and the length of connecting tube  52  is movable longitudinally along the ship  14 , by means of the main conveying carriage  312  and the auxiliary conveying carriage  314 , between a usage position connected to an inner tubular element  56 , shown on the left in  FIG. 13 , and a storage position located away from each inner tubular element  56  and shown on the right in  FIG. 13 . 
     In the usage position, the outer tubular element  58  is attached by its inner flange  68  to the fixing flange  52  of the inner tubular element  56 . The outer tubular element  58  is then positioned in the usage region  320  which extends opposite the parallel inner tubular elements  56 . In this configuration, the transfer line  22  may be connected either onto the flange  87  of the length of connecting tube  52 , or onto the outer flange  70  of the outer tubular element  58 , depending on the nature of the transport line  22  to be connected. 
     In the storage position, the carriages  312 ,  314 , the outer tubular element  58  and the length of connecting tube  52  are disposed in the storage region  322  in which a free space is available away from the axial prolongation of the inner tubular elements  56 , towards the centre of the ship. 
     In this configuration, the length of connecting tube  52  has been manoeuvred by the articulation means  54  so as to be rotated through around 180° about the longitudinal axis and placed in a retaining housing  113 . Thus, it assumes its rest position totally retracted inside the outer edge  48 . 
     The operation of the fourth installation  310  comprises an initial step of bringing the length of tube  52  stored in the storage region  322  from its rest position to its first filling position, by pivoting it through 180° towards the outside of the ship, about a longitudinal axis, by means of the revolving joint  90 . 
     The length of connecting tube  52  is then introduced into the groove  106  of the support block  105  carried by the auxiliary carriage  314 . Then, the assembly formed by the auxiliary carriage  314 , the main carriage  312 , the outer tubular element  58  and the length of connecting tube  52  is moved longitudinally on the support surface  46  by sliding of the respective slides  326 ,  332  on the respective rails  316 ,  318 . 
     This assembly is then brought into the usage position, such that the inner flange  68  of the tubular element  58  is positioned facing the outer flange  62  of an inner tubular element  56 . The flanges  68 ,  62  are then firmly fixed to one another by screwing. The transport line  22  is connected onto one or the other of the outer flanges  87 ,  70 , depending on its nature.