Patent ID: 8517634

Claim:
A method for repairing, repositioning and/or replacing a section of pipe or equipment located on a seabed, comprising: a. partially driving at least two piles into the seabed adjacent a section of pipe or equipment to be repaired, repositioned and/or replaced such that each of the piles has an exposed pile top above the seabed; b. installing on each of the pile tops a manipulator assembly having an azimuthing base for encapsulating the pile top and a hydraulically controlled manipulator arm, the manipulator arm including; i. a proximal arm pivotally connected to the azimuthing base, ii. a first hydraulic cylinder attached to the azimuthing base and the proximal arm for controlling movement of the proximal arm relative to the azimuthing base, iii. a distal arm pivotally connected to the proximal arm, iv. a second hydraulic cylinder attached to the proximal arm and the distal arm for controlling movement of the distal arm relative to the proximal arm, v. a swivel joint connected to the distal arm, and vi. a grapple connected to the swivel joint capable of grasping and repositioning the section of pipe or equipment; and c. operating the manipulator assemblies to grasp the section of pipe or equipment and lift the section of pipe or equipment off the seabed.