Blohm + Voss Ag

Manfred Niemann

Hansjorg Klante

Jurgen Engelskirchen

Dieter Koenig

Wilhelm Jenny

An anchoring system for a converted tanker, including a fluid transfer line extending from the sea bed to the tanker, uses a vertical hollow shaft which is integrated into the stern portion of the tanker. A buoy, which is generally annular, is located under the vertical hollow shaft and anchored. Attached to the buoy, vertically above the buoy, is a hollow columnar superstructure which is disposed coaxially with the hollow shaft and is unaffected by weather. The superstructure is supported and located in vertical and horizontal directions coaxially inside of the hollow shaft by top and bottom pivot bearings which may be lubricated by sea water. The anchoring per se of the tanker takes place through the hollow superstructure member and the anchored buoy. The shaft and superstructure can be evacuated dry without any sea water, for maintenance personnel to inspect or replace the bearings and for completing repairs to the transfer line which is disposed within the hollow superstructure.

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Hamburg, Germany

Manfred Niemann