Looped mooring line and method of installation

摘要

A method and apparatus for replacing an existing looped non-metallic mooring line (20) from a floating anchor handling vessel (10) anchored to the sea floor. The existing looped line (20) extends about a sheave (34) adjacent a subsea anchor means (24) and opposed ends (26) of the looped line (20) are connected to a mounting member (30) on the vessel (10) for securing the ends (26) of the existing mooring line (20). The new replacement line (20A) is attached to an end of the looped existing line (20) and the old existing line (20) is hauled in while the looped replacement line (20A) is payed out from the vessel (10) about the sheave (34) for return to the vessel. The looped replacement line (20A) is disconnected from the old line (20) and the ends of the new replacement line (20A) are secured to a mounting member (30) on the vessel. The existing mooring line (20) is preferably replaced by the anchor handling vessel (10) while a main floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel (12) remains moored to the sea floor by the remaining mooring legs or lines.