Patent ID: 7849810

Claim:
A method of attaching a truss structure to a buoyant hull section while at an offshore operating site of the combined structures, comprising the steps: a. mooring the buoyant hull in position; b. floating the truss structure adjacent the buoyant hull; c. attaching crane support lines from a work vessel and haul-in lines from the buoyant hull to the upper end of the truss structure; d. lowering the truss structure below a water surface to a predetermined depth that transfers the truss structure weight from the crane support lines to the haul-in lines while preventing the truss structure from contacting a water surface; e. moving the truss structure into position under and aligned with the buoyant hull; f. disconnecting the crane support lines from the truss structure; and g. moving the truss structure upward into engagement with the buoyant hull by use of the haul-in lines.