Method and apparatus for transporting chain

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for storing at least one chainon an offshore service vessel. The chain is stored in a carousel on the vessel which is driven to rotate while the chain is being loaded into the carousel.

1 . A method of storing at least one chain on an offshore service vessel, the method comprising storing the chain in a rotatable carousel on the vessel, the carousel being driven to rotate while the chain is being loaded into the carousel. 
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carousel is located under the vessel's deck. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , including storing a plurality of chains in the carousel. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , including positioning at least one divider within the carousel to separate different chains from each other. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , including using the divider as an anchoring point to seafasten the chain for transit. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , including storing a plurality of chains in the carousel, and wherein the method includes laying down the chains in the carousel at different radial distances from the centre of the carousel. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chain is loaded into the carousel under tension. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein tension is created by causing the path of the chain into the carousel to be inclined relative to the vertical, with the touchdown point of the chain being at a different circumferential position from the circumferential position of the chain as it enters the carousel. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chain is a mooring chain and has at least one attached accessory which remains attached to the chain during loading the chain into the carousel. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , including adding protective packing material around the chain and attached accessory in the carousel. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , including rotating the carousel in both rotational directions. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , including also storing at least one other type of product in the carousel in addition to the chain. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , including transporting the chain in the carousel. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , including installing the chain offshore. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein installing the chain includes rotating the carousel in a direction of rotation that is dependent on which end of the chain to be installed first. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus for storing at least one chain on an offshore service vessel, comprising a carousel which is rotatably mounted on the vessel, a chain loading system adapted for loading the chain into the carousel and drive means adapted for rotating the carousel as the chain is loaded into the carousel. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the chain loading system comprises chain guide, for controlling the radial distance of a chain touchdown point from the centre of the carousel. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the chain guide comprises a spooling device. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the chain guide comprises a chute, the position of which can be adjusted to control the touchdown point of the chain. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the orientation of the chute is adjustable. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the radial position of the chute with respect to the carousel is adjustable. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the chain guide includes a moveable spooling arm which can be moved to control the touchdown point of the chain. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the chain guide also includes a chute which has a width that increases towards a chute mouth to permit the chain to leave the chute in a selected one of a plurality of different directions according to the position of the moveable spooling arm. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claims 17  wherein the chain loading system also includes a gypsy wheel. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the chain guide comprises a crane. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claims 17  including an attachment by which a chain can be attached to the carousel. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claims 17  wherein the carousel is adapted to rotate in both rotational directions.