Patent ID: 8561968

Claim:
Subsea marine load raising and lowering system for use on a vessel, which system comprises: a first winch comprising first driving means for raising or lowering a first cable portion from the first winch, a second winch comprising second driving means for raising or lowering a second cable portion from the second winch, operating means connected to the first and second driving means of the first and second winch for synchronising the driving means so as to perform synchronous raising or lowering of the cable portions, which second cable portion is connected to the first cable portion via an equalizing sheave to the axle of which a load connector is connected, wherein first and second overload protection systems provided at both winches for stopping the winch when an overload of the associated cable portion is detected, a safety assembly preventing any substantial further raising or lowering of the cable portions in case the cable portions do not operate synchronously, comprising a structure mounted to the axle of the equalizing sheave having passages for the cable portions and further comprising stops arranged on each cable portion above and in the vicinity of the structure, but not interacting with the structure upon normal operation of the subsea marine load raising and lowering system, wherein the safety assembly is arranged such that one of the stops will abut the structure upon relative movement of first and second cable portion such that the other cable portion is subjected to an increased tension and the overload protection system of that other cable portion will enter into force.