Importance

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Abstract

Mooring systems for floating vessels positioned off-shore. A rigid column extends from the sea floor and provides a single-point mooring for a barge or other floating structure which includes facilities for storing oil or liquified gases. The barge may also include facilities for liquefying gases. A fluid line for oil or gas extends from below the water line inside the vertical column to the mooring point above the water line. A pair of mooring arms is pivotally attached to a table pivoted on the mooring point, and the arms diverge with their other ends attached to the barge at zones spaced from each other. The arms are extensible and each of them has a compensator which tends to hold each arm to a predetermined length. Each compensator also restrains the rate of movement during extension and contraction of its arm. A fluid-flow line extends from the mooring point to the barge with flexible interconnections between the fluid-flow lines above the water line. A third arm is provided in certain embodiments of the invention and a fluid line is provided from a sea flow upwardly through the vertical column and then along one of the arms to the barge or other floating structure.

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First Claim