Patent ID: 8303214

Claim:
A lay ramp for an underwater-pipeline laying vessel, the lay ramp comprising an inside ramp hinged to the laying vessel; an outside ramp hinged to the inside ramp; and an actuating device comprising a first actuating assembly for rotating the inside ramp with respect to the laying vessel, and a second actuating assembly for rotating the outside ramp with respect to the inside ramp; the second actuating assembly being secured directly to the outside ramp and to the first actuating assembly; wherein the first actuating assembly comprises two runners each being fixed to the laying vessel; a carriage that is movable along each of the two runners and powered by two first actuators; and a rigid member connecting the carriage to the inside ramp, the carriage portion includes a beam assembly interconnecting the two first actuators, the beam assembly being perpendicular to the runners and rotatable about an axis (A 1 ).