Patent ID: 7484470

Claim:
Mooring system comprising a hydrocarbon storage and/or processing ( 1 ) unit anchored to or resting on the sea bed ( 2 ) at an off shore location, and a vessel ( 13 ) moored alongside the storage and/or processing unit ( 1 ), the storage and/or processing unit ( 1 ) comprising a hull ( 6 ) and in a front part ( 26 ) and in a rear part ( 25 ) of the unit at least one support structure ( 7 , 7 ′) along a side of the unit, projecting outboard from the hull ( 6 ), a suspension member ( 9 , 12 ) with one end attached to the support structure ( 7 , 7 ′) and with another end to a quay member ( 10 , 10 ′) suspended from the suspension member, the quay member comprising a shock-absorber ( 11 , 11 ′) contacting the vessel ( 13 ), characterised by the quay member ( 10 , 10 ′) comprising a mooring line attachment point ( 18 , 18 ′), a cable ( 16 , 16 ′, 28 , 28 ′) extending from a mooring point ( 17 , 17 ′, 29 , 29 ′) on the front part ( 26 ) of the vessel ( 13 ) and on the rear part ( 25 ) of the vessel ( 13 ) respectively to a corresponding mooring line attachment point ( 18 , 18 ′) on the quay member ( 10 , 10 ′), the mooring points ( 17 , 17 ′, 29 , 29 ′) on the vessel and the corresponding mooring line attachment points ( 18 , 18 ′) being spaced apart in a length direction of the vessel ( 13 ) by a distance (L 1 , 01 ) of at least 5 m, and wherein the suspension member comprises a triangular frame ( 12 , 12 ′) comprising two legs ( 8 , 8 ′) hingingly attached to the quay member ( 10 , 10 ′) and having a top attached to a cable ( 9 ) or chain which is attached to the support structure ( 7 , 7 ′).