SPAR HULL LOAD OUT METHOD

摘要

A load out and float off method for a spar type structure or a load out method for another structure such as a deck. The invention enables the load out and float off of a large diameter spar using existing Heavy Lift Vessels (HLV's). A U-shaped tank (U-tank) is utilized to artificially extend the length of the HLV and to provide supplemental buoyancy to help lift the spar off the land ways during load out. The U-tank provides the necessary supplemental buoyancy and water plane area to float the spar off the HLV. After the departure of the HLV the U-tank is moved and placed beneath an adapter frame cantilevered off the top of the spar's hard tank. The U-tank is ballasted upward to lift the hard tank and reduce its draft. At the reduced draft of the hard tank the strake tips clear the channel bottom. Because the strake tips clear the channel bottom, the spar can be brought alongside the fabrication yard quay for additional work. Subsequently, at the reduced draft, the spar can be towed down the channel to the open sea.