OFFSHORE VESSEL FOR LAYING A PIPELINE ON THE SEABED, AND A METHOD FOR HANDLING PIPE SECTIONS

摘要

An offshore pipelaying vessel for laying a pipeline on a seabed includes a pipeline-laying installation having a preassembly line; an inspection station; an assembly line with a pipeline assembly station to assemble a pipeline to be launched from the vessel by joining multi and/or single length pipe sections end to end; and a conveyor system for transporting multi and single length pipe sections, said conveyor system comprising an entry-and-exit location, wherein the conveyor system is configured to allow transportation of multi and/or single length pipe sections at least along the following routes: directly from the entry-and-exit location to the assembly line; indirectly from the entry-and-exit location to the assembly line via the preassembly line and said inspection station; and from the entry-and-exit location to the preassembly line and said inspection station, and after passing said inspection station directly to the entry-and-exit location.