SYSTEM USABLE WITH A PIPE LAYING VESSEL

摘要

? system usable with a pipe laying vessel (1), comprises a support frame (14), such as a deck- frame of the vessel, and a loader arm (5) which is movable between a loading position and an upright position. The loader arm is provided with a pipe section manipulation system (25). A first clamping member (20) is provided having a substantially fixed position with respect to the support frame. The first clamping member is operable between a clamped position for supporting the weight of the pipeline (10), and a released position for allowing the pipeline to be lowered. A second clamping member (22) is movable between an upper position and a lower position. The second clamping member, is operable between a clamped position for supporting the weight of the pipeline during movement from the upper position to the lower position, and a released position for moving the second clamping member from the lower position to the upper position. The pipe manipulation system of the loader arm is adapted for manipulating a lower end of a pipe section which is loaded on the loader arm into alignment with an upper end of the pipeline extending into the sea in the laying position of the loader arm.