A foundation pile comprising a longitudinal through hole (1) and a plurality of crosswise through holes (2) transverse to longitudinal through hole (1) extending between longitudinal through hole (1) and the outer surface of the pile and optionally further comprising check valves positioned in the crosswise through holes (2), configured such that the crosswise through holes (2) and the check valves allow one-way communication from the inside of the pile to the outside of the pile from longitudinal through hole (1) to the outer side surfaces of the pile.

A foundation pile comprising a longitudinal through hole (1) and a plurality of crosswise through holes (2) transverse to longitudinal through hole (1) extending between longitudinal through hole (1) and the outer surface of the pile and optionally further comprising check valves positioned in the crosswise through holes (2), configured such that the crosswise through holes (2) and the check valves allow one-way communication from the inside of the pile to the outside of the pile from longitudinal through hole (1) to the outer side surfaces of the pile.

A method of installing an upright elongate hollow subsea foundation that is higher than it is wide, such as a suction pile. The foundation is at least partially embedded in seabed soil. A partition layer is placed within the foundation, for example by injecting a grout, supported by a plug of soil that is surrounded by the foundation. The partition layer is placed on the plug of soil at a level that is spaced from the top of the foundation by at least 20% of the height of the foundation. Above the partition layer, the interior of the foundation may be filled with water and/or a rigid body, such as a solid mass or a hollow liquid-filled tank.

A method of installing an upright elongate hollow subsea foundation that is higher than it is wide, such as a suction pile. The foundation is at least partially embedded in seabed soil. A partition layer is placed within the foundation, for example by injecting a grout, supported by a plug of soil that is surrounded by the foundation. The partition layer is placed on the plug of soil at a level that is spaced from the top of the foundation by at least 20% of the height of the foundation. Above the partition layer, the interior of the foundation may be filled with water and/or a rigid body, such as a solid mass or a hollow liquid-filled tank.

A pile upending and holding system includes a support assembly configured to be mounted on the vessel and to provide compensation for wave-induced motion of the vessel to maintain a predetermined X-Y location of the pile holder independent of said motion, and a pile holder mounted on the support assembly to be tillable about a substantially horizontal tilt axis. The pile holder includes a lower ring and an upper ring, and a pile holder frame supporting the lower ring and upper ring, the upper ring longitudinally spaced from the lower ring. Each of the rings include pile engaging devices distributed about the circumference thereof, each pile engaging device being adapted to engage an exterior of the pile extending through the lower and upper ring. Each of the lower ring and upper ring includes a ring base fixed to the pile holder frame and one or more movable jaws, movable between a closed position for holding and guiding the pile and an opened position for entry of the pile. The pile holder is provided, below the lower ring thereof, with a pile foot end support for engaging a longitudinal end of the pile to limit longitudinal movement thereof.

A pile upending and holding system includes a support assembly configured to be mounted on the vessel and to provide compensation for wave-induced motion of the vessel to maintain a predetermined X-Y location of the pile holder independent of said motion, and a pile holder mounted on the support assembly to be tillable about a substantially horizontal tilt axis. The pile holder includes a lower ring and an upper ring, and a pile holder frame supporting the lower ring and upper ring, the upper ring longitudinally spaced from the lower ring. Each of the rings include pile engaging devices distributed about the circumference thereof, each pile engaging device being adapted to engage an exterior of the pile extending through the lower and upper ring. Each of the lower ring and upper ring includes a ring base fixed to the pile holder frame and one or more movable jaws, movable between a closed position for holding and guiding the pile and an opened position for entry of the pile. The pile holder is provided, below the lower ring thereof, with a pile foot end support for engaging a longitudinal end of the pile to limit longitudinal movement thereof.

Described is a device for providing a sizeable, slender object having a longitudinal direction into an underwater bottom from a deck of a vessel. The device includes a lifting means configured to take up the object at a lifting point thereof and position it on the underwater bottom; an upending tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a first circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means and provide a pivot around which the object can be upended; and a gripping tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a second circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means, whereby the first and second circumferential parts are optionally spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the object. The gripping tool includes an actuator system configured to act on at least one of the upending tool and the gripping tool and control movements of at least one of the first and the second circumferential parts, relative to the vessel. A method using the device is also described.

Described is a device for providing a sizeable, slender object having a longitudinal direction into an underwater bottom from a deck of a vessel. The device includes a lifting means configured to take up the object at a lifting point thereof and position it on the underwater bottom; an upending tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a first circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means and provide a pivot around which the object can be upended; and a gripping tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a second circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means, whereby the first and second circumferential parts are optionally spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the object. The gripping tool includes an actuator system configured to act on at least one of the upending tool and the gripping tool and control movements of at least one of the first and the second circumferential parts, relative to the vessel. A method using the device is also described.

Disclosed is a system for the temporary holding, during pile driving operations, of a foundation pile intended to receive the mast of an offshore wind turbine. The temporary holding system includes a sleeve intended to receive a section of the foundation pile and a support frame intended to be secured to a floating device. The support frame includes a slide and an actuator, arranged to generate displacements of the sleeve according to the two translational degrees of freedom. The slide includes at least one rolling element including a cylindrical roller.

Disclosed is a system for the temporary holding, during pile driving operations, of a foundation pile intended to receive the mast of an offshore wind turbine. The temporary holding system includes a sleeve intended to receive a section of the foundation pile and a support frame intended to be secured to a floating device. The support frame includes a slide and an actuator, arranged to generate displacements of the sleeve according to the two translational degrees of freedom. The slide includes at least one rolling element including a cylindrical roller.