Method of lowering an apparatus

Abstract

A method of lowering an apparatus ( 1 ) through a body of water comprising lowering a guiding element ( 25 ) and a weight ( 27 ) through the body of water, the lower end of the guiding (element 25 ) being attached to the weight ( 27 ) such that the guiding element ( 25 ) is under tension and is maintained in a generally vertical orientation when in its lowered position, and lowering the apparatus ( 1 ) through the body of water while being guided by the guiding element.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of lowering an apparatus through a body of water, the method comprising:
 lowering a guiding element and a weight through the body of water to a lowered position in which the weight is suspended by the guiding element, the lower end of the guiding element being attached to the weight such that the guiding element is under tension and is maintained in a generally vertical orientation when in the lowered position; and 
 lowering the apparatus through the body of water whilst being guided by the guiding element until the apparatus reaches the weight at the lowered position, 
 wherein the lowering of the apparatus comprises allowing the apparatus to free fall through the water along the guiding element to the lowered position, and 
 wherein the weight and the apparatus are configured such that the weight supports the apparatus when the weight and the apparatus are in contact. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is subsea equipment-protection apparatus. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured such that the apparatus is subject to greater hydrodynamic forces than the guiding element and the weight. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lowering of the guiding element and the weight comprises allowing the guiding element and the weight to free fall through the water. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a hole through which the guiding element passes as the apparatus is lowered through the water, and wherein the weight is configured such that the weight is able to pass through the hole in the apparatus. 
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising, once the apparatus has reached the weight, moving the apparatus to a desired position by moving the guiding element and the weight vertically and/or laterally. 
     
     
       7. A system for lowering an apparatus through a body of water, the system comprising the apparatus to be lowered, a guiding element for guiding the apparatus as the apparatus is lowered, and a weight,
 a lower end of the guiding element being attached to the weight such that the guiding element is under tension and is maintained in a generally vertical orientation when in a lowered position at which the weight is suspended by the guiding element, and the apparatus being arranged to be coupled to the guiding element so that the apparatus can be lowered through the body of water whilst being guided by the guiding element until the apparatus reaches the weight at the lowered position, 
 wherein the apparatus is arranged to be coupled to the guiding element so that the apparatus will free fall through the water along the guiding element to the lowered position when the apparatus is lowered, and 
 wherein the weight and the apparatus are configured such that the weight supports the apparatus when the weight and the apparatus are in contact. 
 
     
     
       8. A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the system further includes a surface vessel or platform that holds the guiding element.