System for lifting thrusters for providing maintenance to thrusters of floating vessels

摘要

A system for lifting thrusters (6) of vessels enabling for maintenance to be safely provided on the thrusters (6) is disclosed herein. The system can include a lifting means (14) with a line (16) and a connector (17) to engage thrusters or portions of thrusters. A transport device (22) can be connected to the lifting means (14) for transporting the thrusters or the portions of the thrusters. Clamps (24a-24d) can secure thruster mounting flanges (34) to thruster well bottom flanges (20). A conduit (36) with a controller (40) and a pump (38) can allow water to flow into and out of the thruster wells (18). Seals adjacent the thruster mounting flanges can provide a connection between the flanges. A plurality of alignment guide plates (44) can be disposed concentrically around the thrusters (6) in the thruster wells (18) and for a rough alignment of the thrusters to the thruster mounting flanges (34). Fasteners can secure the thruster mounting flanges to the thruster well bottom flanges.