EXTENDED SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL (ESEMI)

摘要

A SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE VESSEL HAS A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED PONTOONS WITH VARIED BUOYANCY. THE LOWER PONTOON IS RETAINED IN A CLOSE VERTICAL PROXIMITY TO THE UPPER PONTOON WHEN THE VESSEL IS IN TRANSIT. THE LOWER PONTOON IS BALLASTED AT THE DEPLOYMENT SITE, DROPPING THE PONTOON TO A DEPTH OF ABOUT 32 METERS BELOW THE FIRST PONTOON BASELINE. AS A RESULT, STABILITY AND MOTION CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VESSEL ARE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED.