Patent ID: 8739717

Claim:
An ocean going transport vessel comprising a pair of longitudinal hulls spaced apart substantially parallel to each other, supporting a first deck portion located above said hulls, said first deck portion extending across said hulls and forming a structural link therebetween, said first deck portion being located toward one end of said hulls, above the normal operating waterline of said vessel; each said hull including a further deck portion extending at least from said first deck portion to the other end of said hulls, said hulls having a plurality of ballast tanks located therealong provided to allow adjustment of the draft and trim of said vessel, said hulls and said deck portions forming a U-shape when viewed from above and below, having a void extending between opposed said further deck portions and associated hulls, said void being provided for stowage or suspension of a load or subassembly in the form of a cradle, a frame, or a deck, wherein said further deck portions extend longitudinally beyond said hulls, supported in cantilever-type fashion as cantilevered deck portions which each include a docking point arranged to support the vessel by the cantilevered deck portions, by said docking point resting on a structural support.