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.

Disclosed is a knuckle boom crane, for offshore application, the knuckle boom crane including a crane house, a knuckle boom carried by the crane house, a component for operating the crane house and the knuckle boom, and a controller for piloting the operating component. The controller include a active compensation module that is designed to pilot the operating means, taking into account data coming from a motion reference unit, in such a way as to stabilize a downstream end of the jib, advantageously in a horizontal plane and/or a vertical position, still preferably in all directions.

A dual hoist crane is provided with a heave compensation system that can be used for both the main and for the auxiliary hoisting assembly. The heave compensation system includes a first set of sheaves for guiding the main hoisting cable and a second set of sheaves for guiding the auxiliary hoisting cable. The heave compensation system is configured to individually lock the first set of sheaves and the second set of sheaves to a heave compensation cylinder, for respectively providing the main hoisting assembly and the auxiliary hoisting assembly with heave compensation.

A dual hoist crane is provided with a heave compensation system that can be used for both the main and for the auxiliary hoisting assembly. The heave compensation system includes a first set of sheaves for guiding the main hoisting cable and a second set of sheaves for guiding the auxiliary hoisting cable. The heave compensation system is configured to individually lock the first set of sheaves and the second set of sheaves to a heave compensation cylinder, for respectively providing the main hoisting assembly and the auxiliary hoisting assembly with heave compensation.

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 crane vessel for hoisting of an offshore wind turbine or a component thereof, includes a hull having a deck. A crane configured for hoisting of an offshore wind turbine or a component thereof includes a vertical crane structure having a crane structure base fixed to the hull, the crane structure extending from the hull over a height thereof to a top along a vertical axis of the crane structure, a boom, and a slew bearing allowing to revolve the boom, about a slew axis. A main hoisting system includes at least one main hoisting winch, an associated main hoisting cable and a load connector, the main hoisting cable extending from the main hoisting winch to a main hoist cable guide on the boom and then to the load connector. The crane further includes a dynamic behaviour adjustment system that is configured to adjust the dynamic behaviour of the vessel by moving and/or arranging an adjustment mass that is distinct from the offshore wind turbine or component thereof into or in at least one dynamic behaviour adjustment position along the height of the vertical crane structure.

A crane vessel for hoisting of an offshore wind turbine or a component thereof, includes a hull having a deck. A crane configured for hoisting of an offshore wind turbine or a component thereof includes a vertical crane structure having a crane structure base fixed to the hull, the crane structure extending from the hull over a height thereof to a top along a vertical axis of the crane structure, a boom, and a slew bearing allowing to revolve the boom, about a slew axis. A main hoisting system includes at least one main hoisting winch, an associated main hoisting cable and a load connector, the main hoisting cable extending from the main hoisting winch to a main hoist cable guide on the boom and then to the load connector. The crane further includes a dynamic behaviour adjustment system that is configured to adjust the dynamic behaviour of the vessel by moving and/or arranging an adjustment mass that is distinct from the offshore wind turbine or component thereof into or in at least one dynamic behaviour adjustment position along the height of the vertical crane structure.