Patent ID: 8251615

Claim:
A quick-release system for coupling a topside and a barge for float-over installation of the topside, the quick-release system comprising: one or more releasable connections, each connection coupling the topside and the barge; wherein each releasable connection is configured to support at least a fraction of the weight of the barge; wherein each releasable connection is configured to be remotely actuatable to decouple the barge from the topside; a first plate coupled to the topside, wherein the first plate comprises a first plurality of throughbores; a second plate coupled between the barge and the first plate, wherein the second plate comprises a second plurality of throughbores aligned with the first plurality of throughbores; wherein each releasable connection comprises: a bolt inserted through each pair of aligned throughbores; and a frangible nut coupled to each bolt and actuatable to fail; wherein the second plate is configured to decouple from the first plate upon failure of each of the frangible nuts.