Method and apparatus for supporting a personnel housing in a marine environment
A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.
1. A method of supporting personnel housing in a marine environment, comprising the steps of:
a) providing first and second vessels;
b) spanning a first frame between the vessels;
c) spanning a second frame between the vessels;
d) spacing the frames apart and connecting the frames to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart;
e) connecting the frames to the vessels at two connections on each said vessel, wherein one or more of said connections is a hinged connection;
f) supporting personnel housing on only one said frame; and
g) wherein each boat is a work boat having a bow portion with a pilot house, a deck portion behind the pilot house, a load spreader platform attached to the deck portion and wherein the first and second frames are mounted on the load spreader platform.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein there is a second personnel housing on a second of said frames.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or both vessels is dynamically positioned.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of controlling the position of each vessel with an electronic positioning device.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of controlling the position of each vessel with a computer.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein a single computer controls the functions of both vessels.
7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the dynamic positioning functions of each vessel are controlled by a single pilot house.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the dynamic positioning functions of at least one vessel include thruster functions, steering functions and propulsion functions.
9. The method of claim 3 wherein the dynamic positioning functions of both vessels include thruster functions, steering functions and propulsion functions.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein multiple load spreader platforms are attached to the deck portion and wherein the first and second frames are each mounted on the load spreader platforms.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vessel has a bow portion and a stern portion and a pilot house is located on a stern portion of one of the vessels.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the vessel has a bow portion and a stern portion and at least one of the connections is located in between the pilot house and the hinged connection.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the vessels has thruster and steering functions and each of these functions is controlled from one of the vessels.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein each of the functions is controlled from a pilot house.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the vessels has a propulsion function and the propulsion function of each vessel is controlled from one of the vessels.