Patent ID: 7934283

Claim:
A system for transferring personnel or material from a transport vessel to a stationary platform at sea, wherein the system comprises: a ramp having a first end and a second end, wherein in use, the first end is coupled to the transport vessel and the second end is coupled to the stationary platform; a first coupling, wherein the first coupling couples together the first end and the transport vessel, and wherein the first coupling provides three rotational degrees-of-freedom and no more than one translational degree-of-freedom to the first end; and a second coupling for coupling the second end and the stationary platform, wherein the second coupling comprises; a coupling member that depends from the stationary platform; and a latch for capturing the coupling member to couple the second end and the stationary platform, wherein the latch depends from the second end, and wherein a load force is induced on the latch when the second end and the stationary platform are coupled, and wherein the load force induces a coupling force that inhibits the release of the coupling member by the latch; wherein the second coupling is physically arranged to enable the latch to release the coupling member in response to receipt of an actuation force that is less than the coupling force.