Method and apparatus for driving a pile into underwater substrates

1. Apparatus for driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprising:

a pile guide comprising a base frame and a guide member mounted on the base frame, the guide member being configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon;

a device for driving a pile into a substrate; and

a power supply for supplying power to drive the device;

wherein that the base frame of the pile guide defines a platform configured to carry the device and power supply when the pile guide is being moved into position for pile driving.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the device is a hydraulic hammer for driving piles into the substrate through repeated impacts.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the device is a suction pump for driving suction piles or caissons into the substrate through a pressure differential.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the platform may include a mount for supporting the device when coupled thereto.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 , in which the mount is configured to support the device in a predetermined orientation when coupled thereto.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the power supply is configured to supply mechanical or electrical power.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the power supply is configured to supply hydraulic power direct to the device.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising a hose for supplying hydraulic power from the power supply to the device during pile driving.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 , in which the device includes a protuberant arm for guiding the hose to one lateral side of the device.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the power supply is part of a remotely operated vehicle, or a work remotely operated vehicle, detachably mounted on the platform of the pile guide.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 , in which the remotely operated vehicle, when mounted on the platform, is configured to provide thrust for control of pile guide orientation during deployment.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 , in which the platform of the pile guide includes a docking station for repeated attachment/detachment of the remotely operated vehicle thereto.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 , in which the docking station has an interface panel configured to receive power from the remotely operated vehicle when attached to the docking station.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 , in which the remotely operated vehicle and interface panel include mating connectors for communication between the power supply and the interface panel.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 , in which the connectors matingly engage automatically as the remotely operated vehicle attaches to the docking station.

16. A method of driving a pile into an underwater substrate, comprising:

providing apparatus comprising: a pile guide comprising a base frame and a guide member mounted on the base frame, the guide member being configured to guide a pile as it is driven into a substrate when the base frame is resting thereon;

a device for driving a pile into a substrate; and

a power supply for supplying power to drive the device, with the base frame of the pile guide defining a platform configured to carry the device and power supply when the pile guide is being moved into position for pile driving;

positioning the apparatus on the substrate;

positioning a pile in the pile guide member;

moving the device from the platform of the base frame to engage the pile; and

driving the pile into the substrate by using the power supply to power the device.

17. A method according to claim 16 , further comprising storing the driving device on the platform of the base frame after the pile has been driven into the substrate and before a new pile is driven into the substrate.

18. A method according to claim 16 , in which the device has a rest position on the platform of the base frame and an operational position on a pile in the pile guide member, with the method further comprising moving the device between its rest position and its operational position by a crane above water level.

19. A method according to claim 18 , further comprising using the crane to raise and lower the pile guide and to position the pile in the pile guide member.

20. A method according to claim 16 , in which the device is one of a hydraulic hammer and a suction pump, with the piles respectively being one of regular piles and suction piles.

21. A method according to claim 16 , in which the power supply is part of a remotely operated vehicle or a work remotely operated vehicle detachably mounted on the platform of the pile guide.

22. A method according to claim 21 , further comprising detaching the remotely operated vehicle from the platform of the base frame to perform a task associated with pile driving.

23. A method according to claim 22 , in which the task is selected from the group consisting of: inspecting the pile in the pile guide member; releasing fastenings attaching the device to the base frame; coupling the device to lifting means; inspecting engagement between the device and the pile; inspecting the pile once driven into the substrate; and coupling the pile guide to lifting means.

24. A method according to claim 22 , in which the platform of the base frame includes a docking station for re-attachment of the remotely operated vehicle to the platform once the or each task is completed.

25. A method according to claim 24 , in which the docking station has an interface panel configured to receive power from the remotely operated vehicle when attached to the docking station.

26. A method according to claim 25 , in which the remotely operated vehicle and interface panel includes mating connectors for communication of power from the former to the latter.

27. A method according to claim 24 , further comprising establishing mating engagement of the connectors by re-attaching the remotely operated vehicle to the platform via the docking station.

28. A method according to claim 21 , further comprising using the remotely operated vehicle to provide thrust for control of pile guide orientation and position during deployment.

29. A method according to claim 16 , further comprise controlling orientation of the device relative to the pile in the pile guide member when engaging the pile.