Method and apparatus for positioning a working barge above a sea surface

摘要

A shallow water drilling or production barge (46) is adapted for offshore use by means of a novel drydock (40) which has wing walls (52) of substantial freeboard and a platform (74) of essentially no freeboard. Jacking legs (42) extend down through the wingwalls to the sea bed (50). Valves (56) in the wing walls are opened to allow them to partially submerge and lower the platform enough to float the barge into place; and then jacking mechanisms in jacking towers (54) on the wing walls are operated to raise both the drydock and the barge up out of the water. The barge rides or rails 75 supported by roller assemblies on the platform; and after being raised the barge is pulled forwardly and locked in place.