Patent ID: 7182212

Claim:
Floating lifting device ( 2 ) comprising a cable ( 4 ) comprising synthetic cable strings with a number of support members ( 5 , 6 , 7 ) at spaced-apart locations along cable, a first ( 13 ) and a second ( 14 ) lifting structure, each structure having a releasable engagement member ( 15 , 15 ′, 27 , 27 ′) of a larger diameter than said cable diameter for engaging with the support members ( 5 , 6 , 7 ) on the cable ( 4 ) without clamping on the cable and for carrying the cable by the respective lifting structure, at least one lifting structure ( 13 ) being movable in the length direction of the cable between an upstream and a downstream position, the cable being lowered or raised by repeating steps a–d: a. moving the first lifting structure upstream or downstream, while the engagement member ( 27 , 27 ′) of the first structure ( 13 ) is closed on a support member and the engagement member ( 15 , 15 ′) of the second lifting structure ( 14 ) is opened, such that the cable ( 4 ) is suspended from the first lifting structure ( 13 ), b. closing the engagement member ( 15 , 15 ′) of the second lifting structure ( 14 ), on a support member and opening the engagement member ( 27 , 27 ′) of the first lifting structure ( 13 ), such that the elongate member ( 4 ) is supported from the second lifting structure ( 14 ), c. moving the first lifting structure ( 13 ) back towards or away from the second lifting structure ( 14 ), and d. closing the engagement member ( 27 , 27 ′) of the first lifting structure on another support member and opening the engagement member ( 15 , 15 ′) of the second lifting structure ( 14 ), wherein, the cable ( 4 ) is a flexible line comprising at an end part a connector ( 8 ) for releasably attaching objects to the end part of said line, the lifting device comprising a line storage member ( 10 , 40 ) from which during carrying out steps a–d, the line ( 4 ) is supplied substantially without being tensioned.