A payload control apparatus includes a spring-line a spring line actuating mechanism, a spring line flying sheave over which a load line can pass, and a spring line, wherein the spring line flying sheave can move into a position either where the flying sheave is spaced from and in non-contact with or contacting but non-path-altering in relation to the load line, further wherein the spring-line flying sheave can be moved into another position such that the flying sheave engages the load-line and alters its path length. Thus, when a marine surface vessel falls in a heave event that would otherwise cause the payload at the end of the load line to fall as well, the flying sheave will move to increase the path length causing a shortening of the path length, thereby preventing the payload from falling.

The present invention provides a capturing mechanism and method for the recovery of at least one vessel to at least one marine platform; the at least one vessel having at least one engagement device either permanently or at least partially reversibly connectable to the same; the capturing mechanism including: a. at least one tensioned capturing line connected to the at least one marine platform; and b, at least one line maneuvering mechanism configured to displace the at least one tensioned capturing line in at least one direction selected from a group of up, down, left, right, forward, backward, playable into the at least one marine plat form, playable out of the at least one marine platform, playable into and out of the water and any combination thereof.

The present invention provides a capturing mechanism and method for the recovery of at least one vessel to at least one marine platform; the at least one vessel having at least one engagement device either permanently or at least partially reversibly connectable to the same; the capturing mechanism including: a. at least one tensioned capturing line connected to the at least one marine platform; and b, at least one line maneuvering mechanism configured to displace the at least one tensioned capturing line in at least one direction selected from a group of up, down, left, right, forward, backward, playable into the at least one marine plat form, playable out of the at least one marine platform, playable into and out of the water and any combination thereof.

A man over board rescue system 100 may comprise a main body 200 with the main body quickly and easily being attached and detached to a ship's bitt. Thus, the system may be quickly set up prior to departing and quickly put away at the end of a voyage. The system allows for the fast and efficient rescue of a person overboard without need for a rescuer to enter the water or to risk bodily injury in retrieving a person in the water. The system provides secure mechanical means allowing for a winch to be used in the support of a person which is a significant departure from the prior art.

A man over board rescue system 100 may comprise a main body 200 with the main body quickly and easily being attached and detached to a ship's bitt. Thus, the system may be quickly set up prior to departing and quickly put away at the end of a voyage. The system allows for the fast and efficient rescue of a person overboard without need for a rescuer to enter the water or to risk bodily injury in retrieving a person in the water. The system provides secure mechanical means allowing for a winch to be used in the support of a person which is a significant departure from the prior art.

A motion compensation system disposed on a structure of a drilling vessel. A stabilization assembly for use with the motion compensation system includes a first arm connectable to the structure, a first sheave connectable to the structure, a second arm connectable to the first arm, and a second sheave connectable to the second arm. At least one of the first arm and the first sheave are connectable to the structure at different locations and the first arm and the second sheave are connectable to the second arm at different locations.

A lifting apparatus comprises: a base part, a lifting rope, a sheave assembly, a first rotatably mounted sheave, around which the rope passes and from which the rope extends downwardly to a load, a second rotatably mounted sheave and a drive for moving the sheave assembly. The sheave assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base part about an axis of pivoting spaced from the axis of rotation of the first sheave and coincident with the axis of rotation of the second sheave. During movement of the load relative to the base part, the first sheave is moved by the drive to compensate for that relative movement, the movement of the first sheave being such that the vertical component of the movement of the first sheave relative to the load is less than the vertical component of the movement of the base part relative to the load.

A lifting apparatus comprises: a base part, a lifting rope, a sheave assembly, a first rotatably mounted sheave, around which the rope passes and from which the rope extends downwardly to a load, a second rotatably mounted sheave and a drive for moving the sheave assembly. The sheave assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the base part about an axis of pivoting spaced from the axis of rotation of the first sheave and coincident with the axis of rotation of the second sheave. During movement of the load relative to the base part, the first sheave is moved by the drive to compensate for that relative movement, the movement of the first sheave being such that the vertical component of the movement of the first sheave relative to the load is less than the vertical component of the movement of the base part relative to the load.

A method of providing motion compensation of a subsea package with a synthetic rope comprising attaching the synthetic rope to the subsea package, supporting a first gripper with a wire rope from a winch capable of motion compensation control characteristics and gripping the synthetic rope with the first gripper, supporting a second gripper with a second wire rope, and repeating the following sequence: lowering the first gripper, the synthetic rope, and the subsea package a first distance, gripping the synthetic rope with the second gripper, releasing the first gripper from the synthetic rope, raising the first gripper the first distance, gripping the synthetic rope with the first gripper, releasing the second gripper from the synthetic rope, such that when the subsea package is lowered proximate the subsea landing location the winch capable of operating with motion compensation characteristics can operate to compensate for the vessel motion and smoothly lower the subsea package to the subsea landing location.

A method of providing motion compensation of a subsea package with a synthetic rope comprising attaching the synthetic rope to the subsea package, supporting a first gripper with a wire rope from a winch capable of motion compensation control characteristics and gripping the synthetic rope with the first gripper, supporting a second gripper with a second wire rope, and repeating the following sequence: lowering the first gripper, the synthetic rope, and the subsea package a first distance, gripping the synthetic rope with the second gripper, releasing the first gripper from the synthetic rope, raising the first gripper the first distance, gripping the synthetic rope with the first gripper, releasing the second gripper from the synthetic rope, such that when the subsea package is lowered proximate the subsea landing location the winch capable of operating with motion compensation characteristics can operate to compensate for the vessel motion and smoothly lower the subsea package to the subsea landing location.