Vessel comprising a barge loading system

Abstract

The invention relates to a vessel comprising a FIG. 1 a barge loading system ( 10 ) for loading a secondary vessel positioned alongside the vessel ( 1 ) with a mixture of water and material, comprising a discharge pipe ( 11 ) and a discharge head ( 12 ). The barge loading system ( 10 ) comprising at least two moveable crane arms ( 20 ) connected to the discharge head ( 12 ). The crane arms ( 20 ) being arranged to move the discharge head ( 12 ) to an overboard position. The crane arms ( 20 ) comprise respective base arm portions ( 21 ) rotatably connected to a deck ( 2 ) of the vessel ( 1 ) and respective remote arm portions ( 22 ). The remote arm portions ( 22 ) are with one end rotatably connected to respective base arm portions ( 21 ) and with another end connected to the discharge head ( 12 ). The barge loading system ( 10 ) comprises cable systems arranged to move the base arm portions ( 21 ) and the remote arm portions ( 22 ).

1 . A vessel comprising a barge loading system for loading a secondary vessel positioned alongside the vessel with a mixture of water and material, the barge loading system comprising:
 a discharge pipe and a discharge head being in fluid communication with the discharge pipe to receive the mixture; and   at least two moveable crane arms connected to the discharge head, the crane arms being arranged to move the discharge head to an overboard position,   wherein the crane arms comprise respective base arm portions rotatably connected to a deck of the vessel and respective remote arm portions, wherein the remote arm portions have one end rotatably connected to respective base arm portions and have another end connected to the discharge head, and   wherein the barge loading system comprises cable systems arranged to move the base arm portions and the remote arm portions.   
     
     
         2 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the remote arm portions are rotatable independently of the base arm portions. 
     
     
         3 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the crane arms comprise respective remote arm portion cable systems for moving the remote arm portions with respect to the respective base arm portions. 
     
     
         4 . A vessel according to  claim 3 , wherein the remote arm portion cable systems for moving the remote arm portions are entirely mounted on the respective crane arms. 
     
     
         5 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein each base arm portion has an associated base arm portion cable system for moving the base arm portion, wherein respective base arm portion cable systems are drivable by a shared driving unit. 
     
     
         6 . A vessel according to  claim 5 , wherein each base arm portion cable system comprises a winch, each winch being drivably connected to the shared driving unit. 
     
     
         7 . A vessel according to  claim 5 , wherein each base arm portion cable system for moving the base arm portion comprises a cable, a winch and one or more pulleys and cable connection means to transfer force from the winch, via the cable, to the base arm portion. 
     
     
         8 . A vessel according to  claim 6 , wherein the winches drivably connected to the shared driving unit are positioned in between the crane arms. 
     
     
         9 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the discharge head is formed by an elongated pipe section extending in a longitudinal direction of the vessel, the discharge head comprising one or more discharge openings. 
     
     
         10 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the base arm portions are rotatably connected to the deck of the vessel, the base arm portions being rotatable about a coaxial axis of rotation. 
     
     
         11 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein part of the discharge pipe forms a structural component of the base arm portion of one of the crane arms. 
     
     
         12 . A barge loading system for unloading a mixture of water and material from a vessel into a secondary vessel positioned alongside the vessel, the barge loading system comprising:
 a discharge pipe and a discharge head, the discharge pipe having one end in fluid communication with the discharge head and having another end connectable to a further pipe system of the vessel; and   at least two moveable crane arms which are attachable to a deck of the vessel, the crane arms being connected to the discharge head and arranged to move the discharge head,   wherein the crane arms comprise respective base arm portions rotatably connectable to the deck of the vessel and respective remote arm portions, wherein the remote arm portions have one end rotatably connected to respective base arm portions and have another end connected to the discharge head, and   wherein the barge loading system comprises cable systems arranged to move the base arm portions and the remote arm portions.