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 marine knuckle boom crane includes a crane housing which is rotational relative to a pedestal about a vertical rotation axis and a knuckle boom assembly attached to the crane housing. The knuckle boom assembly includes a main boom, the inner end of which is connected pivotably about a first horizontal pivot axis to the crane housing; and a jib, the inner end of which is connected pivotably about a second horizontal pivot axis to the outer end of the main boom, wherein the jib is pivotable at least between an extended position in which the tip extends mainly forward from the main boom, and a folded position in which the jib is folded back, essentially parallel along the main boom. In order to position the jib with respect to the main boom, a tensioning member is provided extending between the crane housing and a curved extension guide connected to the jib.

A marine knuckle boom crane includes a crane housing which is rotational relative to a pedestal about a vertical rotation axis and a knuckle boom assembly attached to the crane housing. The knuckle boom assembly includes a main boom, the inner end of which is connected pivotably about a first horizontal pivot axis to the crane housing; and a jib, the inner end of which is connected pivotably about a second horizontal pivot axis to the outer end of the main boom, wherein the jib is pivotable at least between an extended position in which the tip extends mainly forward from the main boom, and a folded position in which the jib is folded back, essentially parallel along the main boom. In order to position the jib with respect to the main boom, a tensioning member is provided extending between the crane housing and a curved extension guide connected to the jib.

A jack-up crane vessel or semi-submersible crane vessel is provided including a hull with a deck, and a crane on the hull for hoisting a load outside the deck. The crane includes a slewing crane base with a first suspension, an elongated boom that is rotatable around a horizontal rotation axis with respect to the first suspension, at least two pendants between the boom and the first suspension that mutually converge toward the distal boom section, a boom spacer between the boom and the first suspension, and a boom luffing installation for driving the rotation of the boom around the horizontal rotation axis between a lowered transport position and a raised operational position. In the direction of the vertical rotation axis the first suspension extends at least in the lowered transport position of the boom above the boom heel of the boom.

A system includes a crane and an exchangeable tool. The crane and the tool respectively, include an upper tool connector with tool retainers and a lower tool connector which can be interconnected, e.g. a male and female connector, e.g. the lower tool connector of the tool being embodied as a shank provided with a shoulder and the upper tool connector as a tool clamp with a female, open-centered body. A tool suspension device includes the upper tool connector and a travelling block member. The tool clamp has multiple mobile tool retainers adapted to—in a non-operative position—allow introduction of the shank of the tool from below into the shank receiving passage and—in an operative position—engage below the shoulder of the shank that has been introduced into the passage so as to suspend the tool. The upper tool connector may include a bearing allowing for swivelling of the open-centered body, and e.g. a rotational drive operative between the clamp housing and the female, open-centered body to actively drive said swivelling.

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.

Heave balance device (1) can balance a lifted or supported load (8). The load can be lifted by a hoisting device (10) or it can be supported. The heave balance device comprises a first frame (2) and a connection unit (22) that can be suspended, e.g. to a hoisting device. Further a moveable carrying unit (32) allows for carrying (suspending or supporting) a load. The device comprises a transmission that couples the connection unit and carrying unit, wherein said transmission is arranged to guide the connection unit and the carrying unit to move along a guideline with respect to each other, the transmission having a spring force balancing arrangement (4) with one or more leverage units, such as one or more pivoting arms (50, 51), and with one or more configurable (gas- or) hydropneumatic springs. A method comprises suspending the load via a (heave) balance device. Further a kit of parts for hoisting devices is provided to allow load decoupling.

Heave balance device (1) can balance a lifted or supported load (8). The load can be lifted by a hoisting device (10) or it can be supported. The heave balance device comprises a first frame (2) and a connection unit (22) that can be suspended, e.g. to a hoisting device. Further a moveable carrying unit (32) allows for carrying (suspending or supporting) a load. The device comprises a transmission that couples the connection unit and carrying unit, wherein said transmission is arranged to guide the connection unit and the carrying unit to move along a guideline with respect to each other, the transmission having a spring force balancing arrangement (4) with one or more leverage units, such as one or more pivoting arms (50, 51), and with one or more configurable (gas- or) hydropneumatic springs. A method comprises suspending the load via a (heave) balance device. Further a kit of parts for hoisting devices is provided to allow load decoupling.

Provided is an offshore wind turbine installation arrangement, including a lifting assembly realized to hoist a suspended load between a floating installation vessel and a wind turbine assembly, the lifting assembly including a crane supported by the floating installation vessel; a sensor arrangement realized to sense at least a motion of the floating installation vessel; and a controller realized to control elements of the lifting assembly on the basis of the sensed installation vessel motion to adjust the position of the suspended load relative to the wind turbine assembly. Also provided is a method of hoisting a load between a floating installation vessel and an offshore wind turbine assembly.

Provided is an offshore wind turbine installation arrangement, including a lifting assembly realized to hoist a suspended load between a floating installation vessel and a wind turbine assembly, the lifting assembly including a crane supported by the floating installation vessel; a sensor arrangement realized to sense at least a motion of the floating installation vessel; and a controller realized to control elements of the lifting assembly on the basis of the sensed installation vessel motion to adjust the position of the suspended load relative to the wind turbine assembly. Also provided is a method of hoisting a load between a floating installation vessel and an offshore wind turbine assembly.