A portable, height-adjustable gangway includes a lower tower structure comprising a lower landing and a lower movement assembly comprising a first set of wheels permitting the lower tower structure to travel over ground, an upper tower structure comprising an upper landing, an upper movement assembly comprising a second set of wheels permitting the upper tower structure to travel over ground, and an extending tower support connecting the upper movement assembly and the upper landing and comprising expandable struts configured to move the upper landing towards and away from the upper movement assembly, and a travellator pivotally connected to the lower tower structure and pivotally connected to the upper tower structure such that, when the expandable struts of the tower support extend at least one of towards and away from the upper movement assembly, the escalator tilts. The escalator can be a continuous set of stairs, a gondola-like trolley, or both.

A system and method for controlling the movement of an extendible bridge structure has proximity sensors coupled to a distal end thereof and includes a first movement mechanism for extension and retraction thereof. A processor receives signals from the proximity sensors and, based thereon, selectively generates and provides control signals to the first movement mechanism to automatically extend the structure to a predetermined position against a vehicle positioned in a predetermined area. A flexible boot is attached to the distal end of the structure. The processor generates and provides control signals to a second movement mechanism coupled to the flexible boot to extend the flexible boot against the vehicle. The processor also monitors and identifies any changes in a positional relationship between the flexible boot and the vehicle after initial extension thereof and provides generated control signals to the first movement mechanism to restore the structure to the predetermined position.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring an object from or to a marine transport vessel to or from a construction or vessel. The apparatus comprises a motive force generator; a motive force applicator operably linked to the motive force generator; and, in use of the apparatus, adapted to be operably linked to an object to which the motive force applicator applies a motive force; a fastening device for operably linking the motive force applicator to the object; a control mechanism; said control mechanism being formed and arranged so as to control the motive force generator and is operable to switch the operation of the motive force generator into an ascent or descent mode wherein the motive force generator acts upon the motive force applicator; and a measuring device operably linked to the control mechanism, said measuring device comprising one or more sensors and adapted to determine a distance between said measuring device and at least one point of a surface of a marine transport vessel from or to which said object is to be transferred wherein said apparatus further comprises one or more safety protocols and a parameter sensing means, said control mechanism being in communication with said parameter sensing means and responsive to feedback from said parameter sensing means, and adapted to initiate said one or more safety protocols.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring an object from or to a marine transport vessel to or from a construction or vessel. The apparatus comprises a motive force generator; a motive force applicator operably linked to the motive force generator; and, in use of the apparatus, adapted to be operably linked to an object to which the motive force applicator applies a motive force; a fastening device for operably linking the motive force applicator to the object; a control mechanism; said control mechanism being formed and arranged so as to control the motive force generator and is operable to switch the operation of the motive force generator into an ascent or descent mode wherein the motive force generator acts upon the motive force applicator; and a measuring device operably linked to the control mechanism, said measuring device comprising one or more sensors and adapted to determine a distance between said measuring device and at least one point of a surface of a marine transport vessel from or to which said object is to be transferred wherein said apparatus further comprises one or more safety protocols and a parameter sensing means, said control mechanism being in communication with said parameter sensing means and responsive to feedback from said parameter sensing means, and adapted to initiate said one or more safety protocols.

A telescopic access bridge includes a unit provided therewith, and a method therefor. The telescopic access bridge comprises a base unit, an elevating unit having a first end with a first hinged connection to the base unit and a second end, and a bridge comprising a main bridge part and a telescopic bridge part. The bridge has one end with a second hinged connection to the second end of the elevating unit.

A telescopic access bridge includes a unit provided therewith, and a method therefor. The telescopic access bridge comprises a base unit, an elevating unit having a first end with a first hinged connection to the base unit and a second end, and a bridge comprising a main bridge part and a telescopic bridge part. The bridge has one end with a second hinged connection to the second end of the elevating unit.

Disclosed is a transfer system and method that enables the use of the port area and the elimination of the negative effects of traffic in the city, by making the landing or boarding operations of cruise ships underground in the cruise ports.

Disclosed is a transfer system and method that enables the use of the port area and the elimination of the negative effects of traffic in the city, by making the landing or boarding operations of cruise ships underground in the cruise ports.

A resting device (1) of at least one portion of a linear structure (2) is for crossing an uneven underwater topography. The resting device (1) is suitable for supporting at least one portion of the linear structure (2) that defines a longitudinal direction (X-X) coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal development direction of the linear structure (2). The resting device (1) includes at least one buoyant element (3) and at least one tether (4), suitable for constraining the resting device (1) to a bed (5). The at least one buoyant element (3) is suitable for providing a sufficient buoyancy to keep the at least one tether (4) under tension. A deck (6) has a shape and material that allows distributed resting of at least one portion of the linear structure (2) on the resting device (1).

A resting device (1) of at least one portion of a linear structure (2) is for crossing an uneven underwater topography. The resting device (1) is suitable for supporting at least one portion of the linear structure (2) that defines a longitudinal direction (X-X) coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal development direction of the linear structure (2). The resting device (1) includes at least one buoyant element (3) and at least one tether (4), suitable for constraining the resting device (1) to a bed (5). The at least one buoyant element (3) is suitable for providing a sufficient buoyancy to keep the at least one tether (4) under tension. A deck (6) has a shape and material that allows distributed resting of at least one portion of the linear structure (2) on the resting device (1).