Tidal Generation Limited

Ge Energy, LLC

George James Gibberd

Christopher Huxley-Reynard

Tania Lake

A method of installing a structure on a bed of a sea, estuary or river from a floating installation vessel is described. In such a method a plurality of attachment piles and corresponding installation rigs are attached to the structure prior to deployment of the structure. In addition, respective umbilical control cables are connected to the installation rigs prior to deployment of the structure. The structure is deployed from a floating vessel to a bed of a sea, estuary or river, such that, when the structure is located on the bed, the umbilical control cables do not support the structure or installation rigs. A single installation operation for each attachment pile is performed, in which operation an installation rig is activated so as to install fully the corresponding attachment pile in the bed, without removal of the umbilical control cable or the installation rig therefrom.

Installation of underwater ground anchorages

A method of securing a load bearing structure to the bed of a sea, river or estuary. The method comprises placing the load bearing structure on the bed; forming a pile-receiving hole in the bed by means of drilling equipment which is connected to a surface vessel by flexible lines only so that the weight of the drilling equipment is supported by the bed, the drilling equipment being guided by the load bearing structure, and the load bearing structure resisting any non-vertical loads imparted to the drilling equipment; and withdrawing the drilling equipment and installing an attachment pile within the formed hole.

Installation of underwater anchorages

Power generating equipment comprising a buoyant power generating apparatus and a support structure for the power generating apparatus, which support structure, in use, is disposed on the bed of a body of water, the power generating apparatus comprising a motor-driven winching device having a tether which is connectable at its free end to the support structure whereby retraction of the tether causes the power generating apparatus to be drawn downwardly through the body of water into engagement with the support structure, the power generating apparatus and the support structure being provided with means for aligning and latching the power generating apparatus with respect to the support structure upon engagement with the support structure.

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Bristol, United Kingdom

George James Gibberd