Patent ID: 7066219

Claim:
Hydrocarbon transfer structure having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis comprising a vessel ( 8 ) moored to a mooring point via a mooring device, which mooring device comprises a support structure ( 2 ) on the vessel ( 8 ), two spaced apart substantially vertical arms ( 4 , 4 ′) being at a top end attached to the support structure ( 2 ) in an articulation joint ( 22 , 22 ′) to be rotatable around a longitudinal axis ( 24 ) and a transverse axis ( 23 ), two substantially horizontal arms ( 5 , 5 ′) being connected to respective vertical arms ( 4 , 4 ′) in an articulation joint ( 16 , 16 ′) near the lower ends thereof to be rotatable relative to the first arms around a longitudinal ( 19 ) and a transverse ( 18 ) axis, the two arms ( 5 , 5 ′) being rotatable around a vertical axis ( 17 ) and carrying at a coupling end part ( 25 ) a mechanical connector ( 13 ) comprising an articulation joint allowing rotation of the substantially horizontal arms ( 5 , 5 ′) relative to the connector ( 13 ) around a longitudinal axis ( 27 ), a transverse axis ( 28 ) and a vertical axis ( 26 ), a counterweight ( 6 ) being attached to the restoring end part of the substantially horizontal and/or the vertical arms, characterised in that, the mooring point is placed on a second vessel ( 7 ), the substantially vertical and horizontal arms ( 4 , 4 ′; 5 , 5 ′) being located above water level, wherein the mooring device comprises displacement means ( 30 ) acting on the substantially horizontal arms ( 5 , 5 ′) for raising or lowering the arms ( 5 , 5 ′) and a guide element ( 45 ) for guiding the connector ( 13 ) to the a connecting position on the vessel ( 7 ) upon connecting and disconnecting of the connector ( 13 ), wherein first ends of the two arms ( 5 , 5 ′) are, near the articulation joints ( 16 , 16 ′), spaced apart and wherein second ends of the two arms ( 5 , 5 ′) are mutually connected at or near, the mechanical connector ( 13 , 13 ′) to form a delta-shaped frame.