Patent ID: 8251002

Claim:
A pontoon-type floating structure comprising: an upper deck that is to be maintained above water level and that is to receive and support a load by the load resting thereon, the upper deck having dimensions such that corners of the upper deck are vertically displaceable relative to a centre of the upper deck under forces exerted by the load on said centre thereon; and a horizontal array of chambers disposed underneath the upper deck, with the chambers providing a first set of chambers that provide the structure with buoyancy, and a second set of chambers with water having access thereto so that the second set of chambers, under steady state conditions, do not provide buoyancy; wherein the second set of chambers is configured to limit a vertical displacement of the corners of the upper deck relative to the centre of the upper deck when the load is applied on the upper deck proximate said centre of the upper deck compared to a structure in which only buoyancy providing chambers are disposed underneath the upper deck.