A lifting element connection device for connecting a lifting element suspended from a cable to a sling element. The lifting element connection device includes a top surface having at least one angled portion which guides the lifting element towards a receiving area, and a lifting element receiving portion which holds the sling element, receives the lifting element from the receiving area, and provides a connection between the lifting element and the sling element when the lifting element is positioned in the lifting element receiving portion.

The invention relates to an operations vessel for the maintenance, installation and/or disassembly of offshore structures, comprising: a hull equipped with ballast means connected to a control system; at least one working platform supported on the hull by means of one or more support elements; and at least one system for coupling to an offshore structure, wherein said coupling system can adopt, at least, a state in which it is coupled to said offshore structure and a state in which it is not coupled to said offshore structure. Advantageously, the control system and the coupling system are configured in a cooperating manner, in order to adopt at least two working positions of the vessel, wherein the hull adopts an above-water state with the coupling system decoupled, and at least a second working position wherein the hull adopts a submerged state in which the coupling system is coupled to the offshore structure.

The invention relates to an operations vessel for the maintenance, installation and/or disassembly of offshore structures, comprising: a hull equipped with ballast means connected to a control system; at least one working platform supported on the hull by means of one or more support elements; and at least one system for coupling to an offshore structure, wherein said coupling system can adopt, at least, a state in which it is coupled to said offshore structure and a state in which it is not coupled to said offshore structure. Advantageously, the control system and the coupling system are configured in a cooperating manner, in order to adopt at least two working positions of the vessel, wherein the hull adopts an above-water state with the coupling system decoupled, and at least a second working position wherein the hull adopts a submerged state in which the coupling system is coupled to the offshore structure.

The offshore jack-up has a hull and a plurality of moveable legs engageable with the seafloor. The offshore jack-up is arranged to move the legs with respect to the hull to position the hull out of the water. The method comprises moving at least a portion of a vessel underneath the hull of the offshore jack-up or within a cut-out of the hull when the hull is positioned out of the water and the legs engage the seafloor. A stabilizing mechanism mounted on the jack-up is engaged against the vessel. The stabilizing mechanism is pushed down on the vessel to increase the buoyant force acting on the vessel.

The present invention relates to the technical field of long-term in-situ monitoring of sediment disturbance in deep-sea surface mineral mining, and more particularly to a device for monitoring deep-sea sediment environment in mining polymetallic nodules. The monitoring system comprises: acoustic Doppler flow profilers, a spontaneous potential probe, a turbidity meter and an underwater camera. The invention can realize long-term in-situ observation of sediment disturbance, and can realize the mechanical recovery of probe rod-type equipment without large-scale mechanical devices, thereby reducing the overall weight of the recovery equipment and increasing the probability of successful equipment recovery. Compared with the existing long-term in-situ observation equipment on the seabed, it is more environmentally friendly, efficient, energy-saving and reliable.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

A vessel and a method for installation of a pile adapted to support an offshore wind turbine are described. The method includes a) suspending the pile from a hoisting cable in a substantially vertical orientation; b) providing a lower end of the pile in a pile holding system limiting horizontal motion of a pile portion held by the pile holding system; and c) lowering the pile with the pile being held by the pile holding system. The lowering includes at least lowering the pile through a splash zone of a body of water, and during step c), two tugger lines are directly or indirectly connected to the pile at a location between the pile holding system and the hoisting cable, said tugger lines being operated to damp motion of the pile in two respective horizontal directions.

A vessel and a method for installation of a pile adapted to support an offshore wind turbine are described. The method includes a) suspending the pile from a hoisting cable in a substantially vertical orientation; b) providing a lower end of the pile in a pile holding system limiting horizontal motion of a pile portion held by the pile holding system; and c) lowering the pile with the pile being held by the pile holding system. The lowering includes at least lowering the pile through a splash zone of a body of water, and during step c), two tugger lines are directly or indirectly connected to the pile at a location between the pile holding system and the hoisting cable, said tugger lines being operated to damp motion of the pile in two respective horizontal directions.

A multifunctional ship for the collection and recycling of ocean debris and the system thereof may include a hull; a detection device provided on the hull to detect ocean debris floating on the sea or deposited on the seabed; a collection device installed on the hull to collect the ocean debris detected by the detection device; a sorting device installed on the hull to sort the ocean debris collected by the collection device; a compressing device installed on the hull to compress the sorted ocean debris to compress and remove moisture and reduce the volume; a waste plastic recycling device installed on the hull to produce recycled oil by thermally decomposing the waste plastic compressed in the compressing device; a storage tank installed at the bottom of the hull to store the recycled oil produced; and a purifier for purifying wastewater generated in the process of producing recycled oil.