SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A WARNING SIGNAL

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (2) for generating a warning signal. The system (2) has a buoyant apparatus (4). The apparatus (4) comprises a collision detection unit (6) which has at least one acceleration sensor (18). Each acceleration sensor (18) is designed to detect an acceleration acting on the apparatus. The collision detection unit (6) comprises a processor unit (10), which is configured for identifying a collision of the apparatus (4) with an unknown object based on the at least one detected acceleration, wherein the processor unit (10) is designed to generate a warning signal when a collision is identified, which signal represents the detected collision. The collision detection unit (6) has a signal interface (12) for transmitting the warning signal.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A system for generating a warning signal, the system comprising: a buoyant apparatus that comprises a collision detection unit, which comprises at least one acceleration sensor; each acceleration sensor is designed for detecting an acceleration acting on the apparatus; the collision detection unit comprises a processor unit configured to identify a collision of the buoyant apparatus with an unknown object on the basis of the detected acceleration, the processor unit is designed, upon identification of a collision, to generate a warning signal which represents the identified collision, and the collision detection unit has a signal interface for transmitting the warning signal.

19. The system of claim 18, the warning signal also represents characteristic data identifying the apparatus (4).

20. The system of claim 18, the warning signal represents the acceleration detected during the collision.

21. The system of claim 18, the warning signal also represents a frequency and/or a number of further collisions, which are identified during a predetermined period after the detection of the initially detected collision.

22. The system of claim 18, the acceleration sensors is arranged and designed for detecting an acceleration in a horizontal plane of the apparatus.

23. The system of claim 18, an acceleration limit value is stored by the collision detection unit (6), wherein the processor unit (10) is configured to positively identify the collision of the apparatus (4) with the unknown object when the at least one detected acceleration is greater than the acceleration limit value.

24. The system of claim 18, the system (2) comprises an interface (12) for receiving weather data and/or marine data, and wherein the system (2) is designed to adapt the acceleration limit value based on the weather data and/or the marine data.

25. The system of claim 18, the signal interface (12) is designed for the wireless transmission of the warning signal.

26. The system of claim 18, the collision detection unit (6) is designed for recording the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor (18) for a predetermined period of time following an identified collision, and wherein the processor unit (10) is designed for generating a data signal that represents the recorded acceleration, and wherein the signal interface (12) is designed for transmitting the data signal.

27. The system of claim 18, the system (2) comprises a plurality of the buoyant apparatuses (4), each having an associated collision detection unit (6).

28. The system of claim 18, the system (2) comprises a coupling unit (14) and a floating hose (16), which comprises a plurality of floating hose segments (8) that are connected in series, wherein a first end (20) of the floating hose (16) is coupled to the coupling unit, and wherein at least one of the hose segments (8) is designed as a buoyant apparatus (4) with a collision detection unit (6).

29. The system of claim 18, the system (2) comprises a floating buoy (14) and a floating hose (16), which comprises a plurality of floating hose segments (8) that are connected in series, wherein a first end (20) of the floating hose (16) is coupled to the buoy (14), and wherein at least one of the buoy (14) and the hose segments (8) is designed as a buoyant apparatus (4) with a collision detection unit (6).

30. The system of claim 18, the buoy (14) is designed as a buoyant apparatus (4) with a collision detection unit (6) and at least one of the hose segments (8) are each designed as a buoyant apparatus (4) with a collision detection unit (6).

31. The system of claim 30, the acceleration sensors (18) is designed and/or arranged for detecting a lateral acceleration acting on the buoy (14) or the floating hose (16).

32. The system of claim 18, wherein the system (2) comprises a communication unit (22) which is coupled to each signal interface (12) via an associated signal connection (24), so that the warning signal of each collision detection unit (6) and the data signal of each collision detection unit (6) can be transmitted via the respective signal connection (24) to the communication unit (22), wherein the communication unit (22) is configured for generating a transmission signal based on the at least one warning signal and/or data signal, so that the transmission signal represents the at least one receiving signal, and wherein the communication unit (22) is designed for transmitting the transmission signal.

33. The system of claim 18, the communication unit (22) is designed for wirelessly transmitting the transmission signal.

34. The system of claim 29, the system comprises a navigation unit (26) designed to receive a satellite-assisted, wireless navigation signal, wherein the navigation unit (26) is configured to determine a geographical location of the system (2) on the basis of the navigation signal, and wherein the communication unit (22) is configured to adapt the transmission signal in such a way that the transmission signal also represents the geographical location.

Description

[0027] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the present invention can be gleaned from the following description of the exemplary embodiments and the figures. Here, all of the features described and/or illustrated in the figures form the subject matter of the invention individually and in any desired combination, even independently of the composition thereof in the individual claims, or the back-references therein. In the figures, furthermore identical reference symbols are used for identical or similar objects.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an advantageous embodiment of the system.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an advantageous embodiment of the collision detection unit.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a further advantageous embodiment of the system.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows part of a hose segment, which forms an advantageous embodiment of a buoyant apparatus.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a part of a further embodiment of a hose segment, which also forms an advantageous embodiment of a buoyant apparatus.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an advantageous embodiment of a system 2 with a buoyant apparatus 4. The buoyant apparatus 4 is formed by a hose segment 8, wherein the hose segment 8 comprises a collision detection unit 6. When, therefore, in referring to FIG. 1 the buoyant apparatus 4 is mentioned, this preferably means the hose segment 8 with the associated collision detection unit 6. The system 2 also has additional hose segments 8. Overall, the hose segments 8 are mechanically coupled to each other in series to form a hose strand. The hose segment 8 which forms the buoyant apparatus 4 can be mechanically coupled between two further hose segments 8, for example. Each of the hose segments 8 may be designed as a floating hose or as a floating hose segment. The hose segments 8 are preferably coupled in series to form a strand in such a way that the hose segments 8 jointly form a buoyant floating hose 16. The floating hose 16 or each of the hose segments 8 can therefore float in the water. In calm water, for example, at least 20% of the floating hose 16 or 20% of each hose segment 8 can be arranged above a water line.

[0034] A first end 20 of the floating hose 16 is coupled to a buoy 14. The buoy 14 can be designed as a floating buoy 14. The buoy 14 can also form a part of the system 2. Furthermore, an underwater hose 30 can be coupled to the buoy 14. The buoy 14 may be designed in such a way as to form a fluid connection between the underwater hose 30 and the first end 20 of the floating hose 16. The underwater hose 30 is preferably not part of the system 2.

[0035] The buoy 14 and the attached floating hose 16 are often used in practice to direct a conveyable fluid, in particular mineral oil, which is provided by the underwater hose 30, to a second end 34 of the floating hose 16. This is used, for example, if the second end 34 of the floating hose 16 is coupled to a tanker to direct the fluid from the underwater hose 30 via the buoy 14 and the floating hose 16 to the tanker so that the latter can collect the fluid, in particular the mineral oil. Once the tanks of the tanker are filled, the second end 34 of the floating hose 16 is uncoupled from the tanker again. Thereupon, the floating hose 16 together with the buoy 14 floats freely in the water of the sea. In practice, several hours may pass before another tanker steers to the second end 34 of the floating hose 16 to attach the second end 34 of the floating hose 16. In the above-mentioned interim period of several hours, it is possible that the floating hose 16 will collide with an unknown object. The collision can impair the floating hose 16 mechanically in such a way that the floating hose 16 is partially defective or there is a risk of leakage of the fluid into the environment, in particular into the sea. This, however, must be avoided.

[0036] The system 2 therefore comprises a hose segment 8, which forms a buoyant apparatus 4 of the system 2. This hose segment 8 therefore also comprises the collision detection unit 6. The collision detection unit 6 can be arranged and/or fixed on the outside of a jacket wall of the hose segment 8. However, it is also possible that the collision detection unit 6 is partially or completely embedded in a shell wall of the hose segment 8. It is preferably provided that the collision detection unit 6 has a fixed connection to the remaining hose segment 8. If this hose segment 8 collides with an unknown object, this hose segment 8 is accelerated in a direction that is opposite to the direction of motion of the unknown object. But even if the hose segment 8 which forms the buoyant apparatus 4 does not itself collide with the unknown object, but one of the further hose segments 8 of the system 2 or the buoy 14 instead, the motion caused by the collision will be transmitted to the hose segment 8, which is designed as the buoyant apparatus 4 and therefore also comprises the collision detection unit 6. The transmitting movement thus also causes an accelerated movement in this hose segment 8, which is transferred to the collision detection unit 6.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an advantageous refinement of the collision detection unit 6. Such a collision detection unit 6 can form the collision detection unit 6 of the hose segment 8 which forms the buoyant apparatus 4. The collision detection unit 6 illustrated in an exemplary and schematic manner in FIG. 2 comprises an acceleration sensor 18, which is designed for detecting an acceleration acting on the collision detection unit 6. The collision detection unit 6 in the example shown in FIG. 1 forms a part of the hose segment 8, so that the acceleration sensor 18 is designed and/or arranged to detect an acceleration acting on the hose segment 8. Thus, the acceleration sensor 18 can detect an acceleration acting on the buoyant apparatus 4.

[0038] Although the embodiment of the collision detection unit 6 shown in FIG. 2 schematically represents only one acceleration sensor 18, it is entirely possible that the collision detection unit 6 has a plurality of acceleration sensors 18. In this case, each acceleration sensor 18 may be designed and/or arranged for detecting an acceleration and thus for detecting an acceleration acting on the collision detection unit 6 and/or for detecting an acceleration acting on the buoyant apparatus 4 or the hose segment 8. The preceding and the following explanations can therefore apply in an analogous manner if the collision detection unit 6 has a plurality of acceleration sensors 18.

[0039] The collision detection unit 6 also comprises a processor unit 10, which is coupled to the or each acceleration sensor 18 in such a way that a sensor signal from each acceleration sensor 18 is transmitted to the processor unit 10, wherein the respective sensor signal represents the acceleration detected by the respective acceleration sensor 18. The processor unit 10 therefore has access to the information about the acceleration detected by the at least one acceleration sensor 18. The processor unit 10 is configured to identify a collision of the buoyant apparatus 4 or the hose segment 8 with an unknown object on the basis of the at least one detected acceleration.

[0040] In FIG. 1, one of the hose segments 8 forms the buoyant apparatus 4 with the associated collision detection unit 6. If this hose segment 8 collides with an unknown object, the acceleration sensor 18 of the collision detection unit 6 detects an acceleration acting on the hose segment 8, which has an associated amplitude and/or direction not usually caused by the water of the sea on which the hose segment 8 is floating. This is because the water can cause a certain lateral movement of the hose segment 8 and/or also cause a movement in the horizontal direction due to an appropriate swell, but both movements are associated with a small acceleration. On the other hand, a collision with an unknown object often causes a sudden impulse, which leads to a brief, strong acceleration of the hose segment 8. This short-term acceleration is detected by the acceleration sensor 18 of the collision detection unit 6. Based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 18, the processor unit 10 can identify whether the detected acceleration is due to a normal water-induced acceleration or whether the acceleration is due to the collision with an unknown object. The processor unit 10 can, for example, compare the value of the acceleration, in particular the maximum value of the detected acceleration, with an acceleration limit value stored by the collision detection unit 6. The processor unit 10 can have access to this acceleration limit value. The acceleration limit value may be predefined such that a normal swell and/or normal water current cause an acceleration of the hose segment 8 which is less than the acceleration limit value. Thus, for example, the acceleration limit value can be predefined in such a way that a normal swell of the water and/or a normal current of the water does not lead to an incorrect identification of a collision. For the processor unit 10 can be configured to detect the collision of the buoyant apparatus 4 or of the hose segment 8 with the unknown object positively only if the at least one acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 18 is greater than the acceleration limit value. If no acceleration detected by the at least one acceleration sensor 18 is greater than the acceleration limit value, the processor unit 10 does not detect a collision with an unknown object.

[0041] The processor unit 10 of the collision detection unit 6 is also designed to generate a warning signal when a collision is detected, so that the warning signal represents the detected collision. If the buoyant apparatus 4 is formed as in the example of FIG. 1 by one of the hose segments 8, the processor unit 10 will generate a warning signal when a collision of the hose segment 8 with the unknown object is detected by the processor unit 10, so that the generated warning signal represents the detected collision of the hose segment 8 with the unknown object. In a particularly simple case, the warning signal can be represented by a data word with one bit. For example, setting the bit to 1 can represent a positively identified collision. On the other hand, if the bit is set to 0, this represents that no collision has occurred. In principle, however, the warning signal may also include additional data. For example, the warning signal may indicate the time of the collision, the value of the acceleration during the collision, the location at which the unknown object collided with the buoyant apparatus 4 or the hose segment 8, characteristic data identifying the buoyant apparatus 4 or the hose segment 8, and/or comprise other data related to the collision. Before further discussion of this possible other data that can be represented by the warning signal, it will first be explained how to draw attention to the collision.

[0042] The collision detection unit 6 has a signal interface 12, designed for transmitting the warning signal. The collision detection unit 6 can be designed to emit the warning signal by means of the signal interface 12 when the warning signal is generated or when a collision is positively identified by the processor unit 10. The warning signal can be received by a receiver in order to perform further actions. The receiver may be formed by a stationary receiving unit. However, it is also possible that the receiver or a further receiver is arranged on a ship. Thus, the information about the collision with the buoyant apparatus 4 or the hose segment 8 can be forwarded particularly easily in order to take follow-up actions. If, for example, a collision of the hose segment 8 which forms the buoyant apparatus 4 has occurred, the collision can cause such damage to a shell wall of the hose segment 8 that when the hose segment 8 is used, fluid or oil will escape from the shell wall unintentionally. This, however, must be avoided. Therefore, the hose segment 8 should be replaced before further use of the floating hose 16. However, replacement of the hose segment 8 can only be initiated if the damage has been positively identified. Due to the rapid transmission of the discovery of the collision of the hose segment 8, actions can therefore be taken immediately to perform a quick replacement of the hose segment 8. If this does not take place and, for example, a tanker is steering towards the floating hose 16 to collect oil, in an unfavorable case this can lead to a long time delay, if the replacement of the hose segment 8 is only begun after the tanker arrives. The system 2 therefore allows the consequential costs for the waiting time of the tanker to be minimized.

[0043] During a period when the second end of 34 of the floating hose 16 is not coupled to a tanker, the floating hose 16 often floats freely in the sea. It has therefore proved to be advantageous if the signal interface 12 is designed for wireless transmission of the warning signal. The signal interface 12 can therefore also be designed and/or designated as a wireless signal interface 12. The warning signal can thus be transmitted and/or sent by radio. This is particularly advantageous if the signal interface 12 is designed for transmitting the warning signal to a satellite. As a result, the system 2 can be deployed particularly far away from a coast. This is because, even if the system 2 is a long distance away from the coast, the warning signal can be sent to a satellite first, so that the warning signal is transmitted from the satellite to a desired receiver via further communication units.

[0044] In practice, it may occur that a moving ship, a moving boat and/or another object floating in the water collides with the floating hose 16 and in particular with the hose segment 8, which forms the buoyant apparatus 4. A collision must be avoided in any event, however, the strength of the collision can be decisive as to whether the buoyant apparatus 4 or the hose segment 8 thereby undergoes such a level of impairment and/or destruction as to force follow-up actions to be taken. It is therefore preferably provided that the processor unit 10 be designed to generate the warning signal upon identification of the collision in such a way that the warning signal at least also represents the acceleration detected during the collision. The detected acceleration here preferably means the magnitude or value of the detected acceleration. The acceleration detected during the collision can be the maximum acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 18 during the collision. If the warning signal is transmitted by the signal interface 12, in particular broadcast, the information as to how severely the collision occurred can also be transferred with it. This is because the detected acceleration or the value or magnitude of the detected acceleration provides information on the loading to which the floating hose 16 was subjected during the collision. From this it is possible to infer whether an acceptable deformation or even damage to the hose segment 8 might have occurred. Appropriate measures for the repair and/or replacement of the hose segment 8 can therefore be initiated in a targeted manner.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows the floating hose 16 in a schematic plan view. A collision of the floating hose 16 with an unknown floating object therefore usually occurs in such a way that the unknown object hits the floating hose 16 from the side. This causes a short, abrupt acceleration of the floating hose 16 at the collision site in a horizontal plane. For the system 2, it is therefore preferably provided that the at least one acceleration sensor 18 of the collision detection unit 6 is arranged and/or designed so as to detect an acceleration of the collision detection unit 6 or the buoyant apparatus 4 in a horizontal plane. In the example in FIG. 1 the buoyant apparatus 4 is formed by a hose segment 8. Thus, the at least one acceleration sensor 18 of the collision detection unit 6 can be arranged and/or designed so as to detect an acceleration acting on the hose segment 8 in a horizontal plane. This design allows the particularly reliable and efficient detection of an acceleration that can occur during a collision of an unknown floating object with the hose segment 8 which forms the buoyant apparatus 4. As previously mentioned, due to the mechanical coupling of the hose segment 8 with the other hose segments 8, an acceleration of another hose segment 6 can also be detected by the collision detection unit 8 since this acceleration is transmitted to all hose segments 8 due to the mechanical coupling.

[0046] However, a more precise detection of a collision of an unknown object with the floating hose 16 or with the buoy 14 coupled to the floating hose 16 is possible if the system 2 comprising the buoy 14 and the floating hose 16 comprises a plurality of buoyant apparatuses 4.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a further, advantageous embodiment of the system 2. The system 2 comprises a floating hose 16 with a plurality of hose segments 8 which are coupled to form a hose strand, wherein a first end 20 of the floating hose 16 is coupled to a buoy 14. The buoy 14 forms part of the system 2. In addition, it is preferably provided that one of the hose segments 8 forms a buoyant apparatus 4. This may also be referred to as the first buoyant apparatus 4. In addition, it is preferably provided that the buoy 14 forms a further buoyant apparatus 4. This buoyant apparatus 4 may also be referred to as the second buoyant apparatus 4. The system 2 thus comprises two buoyant apparatuses 4, which are formed by one of the hose segments 8 and by the buoy 14. With regard to the first buoyant apparatus 4, which is formed by one of the hose segments 8, reference is made to the preceding explanations in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 in an analogous manner. The buoy 14 likewise comprises a collision detection unit 6. With regard to the collision detection unit 6 for the buoy 14, reference is made to the preceding explanations, preferred features, technical effects and/or advantages as were explained in connection with the collision detection unit 6 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The collision detection unit 6 of the buoy 14 can therefore also have an acceleration sensor 18 which is designed to detect an acceleration acting on the collision detection unit 6 of the buoy 14 and thus to detect an acceleration acting on the buoy 14. The processor unit 10 of the collision detection unit 6 of the buoy 14 may also be designed to generate a warning signal when a collision has been previously identified by the processor unit 10 based on a detected acceleration. The warning signal may be generated by the processor unit 10 in such a way that it represents the detected collision. The warning signal generated by this collision detection unit 6 may also include further data and/or information. The corresponding explanations, preferred features and/or technical effects as were previously explained in connection with the warning signal are referred to in an analogous manner.

[0048] The system 2 shown in FIG. 2 can therefore comprise two collision detection units 6, wherein each of the collision detection units 6 is selected for transmitting a warning signal by means of their respective associated signal interfaces 12.

[0049] The configuration of the system 2 shown in FIG. 3 offers the advantage that individual parts of the system 2 can be replaced without further complex electrical connections having to be disconnected and/or restored. The system 2 can therefore identify a possible collision with an unknown object particularly robustly and emit an appropriate warning signal. In addition, the use of multiple buoyant apparatuses 4 each having a collision detection unit 6 offers the possibility that a collision of the system 2 with an unknown object can be detected simultaneously by both associated collision detection units 6. This can create redundancy, which allows a particularly reliable and valid detection of a collision of the system 2 with an unknown object.

[0050] A further embodiment (not shown) of the system 2 is based on the embodiment of the system 2 shown in FIG. 1, wherein the collision detection unit 6 comprises a plurality of acceleration sensors 18. The acceleration sensors 18 can be distributed between the buoy 14 and the second end 34 of the floating hose 16. Each of the acceleration sensors 18 can be connected to the processor unit 10 via a cable connection. This configuration allows a collision of the system 2 with an unknown object at any point to be detected by means of one of the plurality of acceleration sensors 18. The processor unit 10 can be configured to positively identify a collision with the unknown object if, for example, the acceleration detected by one of the acceleration sensors 18 is greater than an acceleration limit value. If the collision has been detected by means of the processor unit 10, the warning signal explained previously can be broadcast by means of the signal interface 12.

[0051] In FIGS. 4 and 5, a part of a hose segment 8 is shown, wherein the hose segment 8 in each case forms a buoyant apparatus 4 for the system 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the collision detection unit 6 is arranged on and/or fixed to an end-side flange element 35, wherein the flange element 35 is designed for connecting to a flange element 35 of a further hose segment 8 and/or to the buoy 14.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a further advantageous embodiment of a part of a hose segment 8, which forms a buoyant apparatus 4 of the system 2. In this case a part of the hose wall 36 of the hose segment 8 is shown enlarged. From the enlarged representation of the hose wall 36 it is apparent that the hose wall 36 has an outer layer 32, which may be formed by rubber material. But the radially inwardly arranged layers of the hose wall 36 can also consist of rubber material or be formed thereby. In addition, strengthening supports 38 can be embedded in the rubber material of the hose wall 36. It is possible for the collision detection unit 6 to be completely or at least partially embedded in the rubber material of the hose wall 36. In this case, the collision detection unit 6 may be protected from being destroyed in the event of a collision with an unknown object. This applies in particular at least if the collision does not occur directly radially outwards with respect to the collision detection unit 6, but axially offset with respect to the collision detection unit 6.

[0053] It can also preferably be provided that the system 2 has a navigation unit 26. Purely by way of example, such a navigation unit 26 is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the navigation unit 26 forms part of the collision detection unit 6. The navigation unit 26 is designed to receive a satellite-based, wireless navigation signal. In addition, the navigation unit 26 is configured to determine a geographical location based on the navigation signal. This location may be understood to mean a location of the collision detection unit 6 site and/or a location of the system 2. The collision detection unit 6 can be designed and/or configured such that the warning signal at least also represents the geographical location of the collision detection unit 6, of the buoyant apparatus 4 with this collision detection unit 6, and/or of the system 2. For example, the warning signal can represent the state as such, namely that a collision has occurred, a value of the acceleration at the time of collision and the geographical location of the navigation unit 26 at the time of collision. The location of the navigation unit 26 can form the location of the collision detection unit 6, the buoyant apparatus 4 and/or the system 2.

[0054] A further example of an advantageous embodiment of the system 2 can also be seen in FIG. 3. Thus, for the system 2 it is preferably provided that the system 2 can have a communication unit 22. The communication unit 22 is coupled to each signal interface 12 of the respective collision detection unit 6 via an associated signal connection 24, so that the warning signal of each collision detection unit 6 can be transmitted to the communication unit 22 via the respective signal connection 24. Further data, represented in particular by a data signal of each communication unit 22, can be transmitted to the communication unit 22 via the respective signal connection 24. The communication unit 22 may be formed separately from the buoyant apparatuses 4. This is shown schematically in FIG. 3 by way of example. However, it is also possible for the communication unit 22 to be formed integrally with one of the collision detection units 6 and/or to form part of one of the buoyant apparatuses 4, in particular part of the buoy 14 or the hose segment 8. In this context, it should be noted that the signal connection 24 between the communication unit 22 and each of the signal interfaces 12 can be wireless or wired. It may also be provided that the signal connection 24 to one of the collision detection units 6 is wired, while the signal connection 24 to another collision detection unit 6 is made by radio connections. The communication unit 22 is configured for generating a transmission signal based on the at least one warning signal or on the previously explained data signal, so that the transmission signal represents the at least one received signal, in particular the at least one received warning signal, and optionally also the data signal. In addition, the communication unit 22 can be designed for transmitting, in particular sending, the transmission signal. Thus, the communication unit 22 can merge or compress the information of the at least one warning signal and optionally also of the data signal, so that a common transmission signal represents the corresponding information. This enables particularly simple, data-lean and fast communication to take place. For example, the transmission signal can be sent to a stationary base station and/or to a receiver on a ship. This information can be evaluated there and appropriate follow-up measures can be initiated.

[0055] For completion, it should be mentioned that having does not exclude any other elements or steps and one or a does not exclude a plurality. In addition, it should be mentioned that features which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference symbols in the claims should not be considered to be limiting.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0056] 2 System [0057] 4 buoyant apparatus [0058] 6 Collision detection unit [0059] 8 Hose segment [0060] 10 Processor unit [0061] 12 Signal interface [0062] 14 Buoy [0063] 16 Floating hose [0064] 18 Acceleration sensor [0065] 20 first end (of floating hose) [0066] 22 Communication unit [0067] 24 Signal connection [0068] 26 Navigation unit [0069] 30 Underwater hose [0070] 32 outer layer [0071] 34 second end (of floating hose) [0072] 35 Flange element [0073] 36 Hose wall [0074] 38 strengthening support