J. Ray Mcdermott & Co., Inc.

Max A Reiher

Richard C Faust

An emergency life-supporting capsule is disclosed for transferring saturation divers from a main decompression chamber on board a main support vessel. The capsule is attached to the main decompression chamber in anticipation of an emergency. The capsule is located opposite a diving bell on the decompression chamber. The capsule includes self-contained breathing systems for supporting occupants divers. In case of an emergency such as abandonment of the main support vessel or the main decompression chamber, the divers are transferred to the capsule which is sealed and separated from the main decompression chamber, lowered overboard, and allowed to float independently until a rescue vessel arrives. The capsule is then retrieved by the rescue vessel and reconnected to a main decompression chamber.

Method and apparatus for emergency transfer and life support of

A handling system for lowering and lifting a diving bell between the ocean surface and the deck of a vessel or a marine platform includes a horizontally extendible and retractable frame which mounts sheaves used for directing the hoist cable and umbilical cable into communication with the bell. The frame comprises a pair of elongate beams driven by means of a pair of hydraulic motors having pinions which engage racks built integral with the beams. The frame includes a member having a downwardly opening frusto-conical inner surface which is adapted to mate with a similar frusto-conical superstructure on the diving bell. A plurality of locking fingers are operatively arranged on the upper frusto-conical member for automatically locking the superstructure to the frame in a stabilized position over the water.

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Mandeville, LA, United States of America

Max A Reiher