Patent ID: 8286678

Claim:
A fluid transfer apparatus for accommodating the transfer of fluid between a floating first structure and a second structure, the apparatus comprising: a) a mooring device capable of being releasably attached to a floating first structure having a first structure conduit; b) a first controllable deployment system supported by a base, the controllable deployment system supporting the mooring device and capable of adjusting the position of the mooring device relative to the base; c) at least one fluid conduit displaceably supported relative to the mooring device and having a fluid conduit end adapted to be releasably connected to the first structure conduit; and d) a second controllable deployment system defined by a Stewart platform, which controls the displacement of the fluid conduit end relative to the mooring device to accommodate positioning of and fluid connection between the fluid conduit end and the first structure conduit; wherein the mooring device can be moved relative to the base by the first controllable deployment system so that the mooring device can be releasably attached to the floating first structure such that the mooring device moves with the floating first structure and the fluid conduit end can be displaced relatively to the mooring device to accommodate mating of the fluid conduit end with the first structure conduit.