A ship or other large and heavy load may be supported on a fluid cushion comprising a two dimensional array of airbags constrained within elastic mesh compartments (81) and inflated by individual valve assemblies (188, 189, 231 . . . ) which are connected by a grid of airlines and distributed over a flexible web (60) separating respective horizontal layers of the assembly. The ship rests on an upper layer while the compartments of a lower layer are inflated and deflated in sequence to generate a travelling contraction which moves through the fluid cushion to translate its base surface over the ground in any desired direction of travel, with the load gradually moving by fluid pressure in the same direction. The deflated cushion assembly can be stored and deployed on a spool (see FIG. 1-3) rotated by a hydraulic motor. Independent claims are included to the cushion assembly including an elastic or other tension force generating means, the compartmentalised structure, the layered structure, the deployment spool, the distributed valve assemblies, and corresponding methods of operation.

A ship or other large and heavy load may be supported on a fluid cushion comprising a two dimensional array of airbags constrained within elastic mesh compartments (81) and inflated by individual valve assemblies (188, 189, 231 . . . ) which are connected by a grid of airlines and distributed over a flexible web (60) separating respective horizontal layers of the assembly. The ship rests on an upper layer while the compartments of a lower layer are inflated and deflated in sequence to generate a travelling contraction which moves through the fluid cushion to translate its base surface over the ground in any desired direction of travel, with the load gradually moving by fluid pressure in the same direction. The deflated cushion assembly can be stored and deployed on a spool (see FIG. 1-3) rotated by a hydraulic motor. Independent claims are included to the cushion assembly including an elastic or other tension force generating means, the compartmentalised structure, the layered structure, the deployment spool, the distributed valve assemblies, and corresponding methods of operation.

A system for launching and recovering an underwater vehicle (18), which system comprises a crane (16) and a storage location for at least one underwater vehicle (18), wherein the crane (16) is attached to the bottom of a first container (12) and the storage location is provided in a second container (14), said first container (12) being arranged on the second container (14) during an operation of launching or an operation of recovering.

A crane-free system for moving a pre-fabricated enclosure includes a beam system and a system of coordinated self-contained hydraulic jack units, which in conjunction allow a pre-fabricated enclosure to be lifted off a semi-trailer, positioned by rolling on the system of beams above a pre-laid foundation, and lowered to the foundation. Optionally, the sliding beam system may be rotated using rotatable rollers to allow the pre-fabricated enclosure to move in a rotated direction. Optionally, a centering device and hydraulic ram may be used to center the pre-fabricated enclosure on the foundation.

A crane-free system for moving a pre-fabricated enclosure includes a beam system and a system of coordinated self-contained hydraulic jack units, which in conjunction allow a pre-fabricated enclosure to be lifted off a semi-trailer, positioned by rolling on the system of beams above a pre-laid foundation, and lowered to the foundation. Optionally, the sliding beam system may be rotated using rotatable rollers to allow the pre-fabricated enclosure to move in a rotated direction. Optionally, a centering device and hydraulic ram may be used to center the pre-fabricated enclosure on the foundation.

A rig skidding method involving raising a rig on jacks, positioning skid tracks comprising low friction plastic underneath the rig, lowering the rig, and skidding the rig along the skid tracks to a new site for rig operations. At the new site, the process is reversed to leave the rig on the ground at the new location.

A rig skidding method involving raising a rig on jacks, positioning skid tracks comprising low friction plastic underneath the rig, lowering the rig, and skidding the rig along the skid tracks to a new site for rig operations. At the new site, the process is reversed to leave the rig on the ground at the new location.

An apparatus for transport of an object in a wind turbine is provided, the apparatus including a main frame, a number of support elements, and a number of transfer bearings attached to the main frame. The support elements are configured to receive the object and to secure the object at the main frame, and the transfer bearings each comprise a movable part that is movable around at least two axes relative to the main frame. Further, a transport system and a method for transport of an object in a wind turbine is also provided.

An apparatus for transport of an object in a wind turbine is provided, the apparatus including a main frame, a number of support elements, and a number of transfer bearings attached to the main frame. The support elements are configured to receive the object and to secure the object at the main frame, and the transfer bearings each comprise a movable part that is movable around at least two axes relative to the main frame. Further, a transport system and a method for transport of an object in a wind turbine is also provided.