UNDERWATER- PIPELINE LAYING APPARATUS, METHOD OF OPERATING SUCH AN APPARATUS, AND PIPELINE LAYING VESSEL COMPRISING SUCH AN APPARATUS

摘要

An underwater-pipeline (2) laying apparatus (6) of a pipeline laying vessel (1) has an inner ramp (14) hinged to the vessel (1) about a first axis (Al); an outer ramp (15) hinged releasably to the inner ramp (14) about a second axis (A2) parallel to the first axis (Al); a first actuating device (16) for operating the inner ramp (14) and connected to the inner ramp (14) and the vessel (1); a second actuating device (17) for operating the outer ramp (15) and connected to the outer ramp (15) and the vessel (1); and a coupling device (27) for connecting the outer ramp (15) to the vessel (1).