A device for launching and recovering a box sampler includes a suspension coop, a rail assembly, a moving mechanism, a power unit, and a lifting frame. The rail assembly is fixedly arranged on a deck. The moving mechanism is arranged on the rail assembly and can move along the rail assembly. A fixed end of the power unit is articulated with a top end of the moving mechanism, and an extending end of the power unit is articulated with an open end of an upper frame of the lifting frame. A closed end of the upper frame of the lifting frame is articulated with a front end of the moving mechanism. According to the device for launching and recovering a box sampler, the box sampler can be smoothly launched and recovered. The sampler in the suspension coop can be kept horizontal and is prevented from severely shaking.

A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable or rotating components and related methods are disclosed. The watercraft lift system can include a cradle assembly and optionally at least one side guide, which can (but need not) be connected to the cradle assembly. The cradle assembly can include first and second cradle rails. One or both of the first cradle rail and the at least one side guide can be movable between a wider watercraft-receiving position and a narrower watercraft-received position. In an example, movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide from the watercraft-receiving position to the watercraft-received position occurs automatically upon entry of a watercraft into the confines of the watercraft lift system. The watercraft lift system can further comprise an actuator to cause lateral or rotational movement, for example, of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide. In an example, the actuator can be operably connected to the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide via one or more cables or extension plate members.

A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable or rotating components and related methods are disclosed. The watercraft lift system can include a cradle assembly and optionally at least one side guide, which can (but need not) be connected to the cradle assembly. The cradle assembly can include first and second cradle rails. One or both of the first cradle rail and the at least one side guide can be movable between a wider watercraft-receiving position and a narrower watercraft-received position. In an example, movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide from the watercraft-receiving position to the watercraft-received position occurs automatically upon entry of a watercraft into the confines of the watercraft lift system. The watercraft lift system can further comprise an actuator to cause lateral or rotational movement, for example, of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide. In an example, the actuator can be operably connected to the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide via one or more cables or extension plate members.

A system for lifting loads from a mobile offshore platform includes a boom pivotally at one longitudinal end mounted to the platform. A boom extension line is coupled at one end to the boom to cause rotational movement thereof about the pivotally mounted end of the boom. Another end of the boom extension line is either (i) coupled to a movable subplatform on the platform or (ii) supported by a device coupled to the movable subplatform. Movement of the subplatform causes change in effective length of the boom extension line so as to move the boom between an extended position and a retracted position.

A system for lifting loads from a mobile offshore platform includes a boom pivotally at one longitudinal end mounted to the platform. A boom extension line is coupled at one end to the boom to cause rotational movement thereof about the pivotally mounted end of the boom. Another end of the boom extension line is either (i) coupled to a movable subplatform on the platform or (ii) supported by a device coupled to the movable subplatform. Movement of the subplatform causes change in effective length of the boom extension line so as to move the boom between an extended position and a retracted position.

A system for lowering a user from an elevated position is described. The system includes a fall-arresting device operable to arrest a fall of a user attached to the fall-arresting device, a harness for wearing by the user, and a separable connector for attaching the harness to the fall-arresting device. The separable connector is configured to separate in response to a minimum load of about 0.66 kN acting on the separable connector and thereby disconnect the harness from the fall-arresting device.

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 transport system (10) comprising a seagoing vessel (14) with a battery room (18) for at least one swappable battery pack (19) for providing power for at least propulsion of the vessel (14), at least two battery packs (19), of which at least one battery pack is arranged on the vessel (14) when the vessel is in operation, a charging station (23) for charging the battery packs (19), which charging station (23) is located outside the vessel (14), such that the vessel (14) can be positioned close to the charging station (23) for transfer of one or more battery packs (19) between the vessel (14) and the charging station (23), and a transfer device (31) for transferring the battery packs (19) back and forth between the vessel (14) and the charging station (23) when the vessel is positioned close to the charging station (23).

A transport system (10) comprising a seagoing vessel (14) with a battery room (18) for at least one swappable battery pack (19) for providing power for at least propulsion of the vessel (14), at least two battery packs (19), of which at least one battery pack is arranged on the vessel (14) when the vessel is in operation, a charging station (23) for charging the battery packs (19), which charging station (23) is located outside the vessel (14), such that the vessel (14) can be positioned close to the charging station (23) for transfer of one or more battery packs (19) between the vessel (14) and the charging station (23), and a transfer device (31) for transferring the battery packs (19) back and forth between the vessel (14) and the charging station (23) when the vessel is positioned close to the charging station (23).

A release system for a tether line includes a housing having a side that is at least partially open. A tether lead within the housing is adjacent to the side of the housing. A release mechanism in the housing includes a shackle having a closed end and an open end. The shackle is disposed in the housing at a portion therein that is lower than that of the tether lead. The release mechanism also includes a hinge for mounting the shackle within the housing. In a tether-retention mode, the open end of the shackle faces the top of the housing and the shackle is prevented from rotation about the hinge. In a tether-release mode, the shackle is free to rotate about the hinge under gravity wherein the open end of the shackle rotates to face the side of the housing.