Pull In - Pay Out Mooring System

Abstract

A mooring method for a moored vessel that comprises a first chain stopper that is fixed to the vessel and is operable to selectively couple an upper chain to the vessel. A chain tensioner is coupled to the vessel and is operable to pull the upper chain. A second chain stopper is fixed to the vessel and is operable to selectively couple the upper chain to the vessel. The chain tensioner engages the upper chain at a location between the first chain stopper and the second chain stopper.

1 . A vessel comprising:
 a first chain stopper fixed to the vessel and operable to selectively couple an upper chain to the vessel;   a chain tensioner coupled to the vessel and operable to pull the upper chain; and   a second chain stopper fixed to the vessel and operable to selectively couple the upper chain to the vessel, wherein said chain tensioner engages the upper chain at a location between said first chain stopper and said second chain stopper.   
   
   
       2 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first chain locker disposed between said first chain stopper and said chain tensioner; and   a second chain locker disposed between said second chain stopper and said chain tensioner.   
   
   
       3 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first fairlead coupled to the vessel and engaged with the upper chain between said first chain stopper and a first end of the upper chain; and   a second fairlead coupled to the vessel and engaged with the upper chain between said second chain stopper and a second end of the upper chain.   
   
   
       4 . The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein the upper chain has a first end operable to engage a first mooring line and a second end operable to engage a second mooring line. 
   
   
       5 . The vessel of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of upper chains, wherein each upper chain has a first end engaged with a first mooring line and a second end engaged with a second a mooring line. 
   
   
       6 . A moored vessel comprising:
 a first and second mooring lines anchored to the seafloor;   an upper chain partially disposed on the vessel and comprising a first end engaged with said first mooring line and a second end engaged with said second mooring line;   a first chain stopper fixed to the vessel and operable to selectively couple said upper chain to the vessel;   a chain tensioner coupled to the vessel and operable to pull said upper chain; and   a second chain stopper fixed to the vessel and operable to selectively couple said upper chain to the vessel, wherein said chain tensioner engages said upper chain at a location between said first chain stopper and said second chain stopper.   
   
   
       7 . The vessel of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first chain locker disposed between said first chain stopper and said chain tensioner; and   a second chain locker disposed between said second chain stopper and said chain tensioner.   
   
   
       8 . The vessel of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a first fairlead coupled to the vessel and engaged with the upper chain between said first chain stopper and a first end of the upper chain; and   a second fairlead coupled to the vessel and engaged with the upper chain between said second chain stopper and a second end of the upper chain.   
   
   
       9 . The vessel of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality mooring lines and a plurality of upper chains, wherein each upper chain has a mooring line engaged with each end. 
   
   
       10 . A mooring method comprising:
 paying out a first end of an upper chain;   engaging a first anchored mooring line with the first end of the upper chain;   pulling in the first end of the upper chain;   paying out a second end of the upper chain;   engaging a second anchored mooring line with the second end of the upper chain; and   pulling in the second end of the upper chain.   
   
   
       11 . The mooring method of  claim 10  wherein the second end of the upper chain is payed out as the first end of the upper chain is pulled in. 
   
   
       12 . The mooring method of  claim 10  further comprising engaging the upper chain with a first chain stopper that is fixed to the vessel, wherein the first chain stopper is engaged with the upper chain so as to maintain tension in the first mooring line. 
   
   
       13 . The mooring method of  claim 12  further comprising engaging the upper chain with a second chain stopper that is fixed to the vessel, wherein the second chain stopper is engaged with the upper chain so as to maintain tension in the second mooring line. 
   
   
       14 . The mooring method of  claim 13  wherein both the first and second ends of the upper chain are pulled in using a chain tensioner that is positioned between the first and second chain stoppers. 
   
   
       15 . The mooring method of  claim 10  further comprising disposing a portion of the upper chain in a second chain locker as the first end of the upper chain is pulled in, wherein the second chain locker disposed between a second chain stopper and a chain tensioner. 
   
   
       16 . The mooring method of  claim 10  further comprising disposing a portion of the upper chain in a first chain locker as the second end of the upper chain is pulled in, wherein the first chain locker disposed between a first chain stopper and a chain tensioner.