GB2500904A

GB2500904A - Device for connection of a mooring line to a floating structure

Info

Publication number: GB2500904A
Application number: GB1206020.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Vernon Donovan; David Ninian Galbraith; Robert John Paul Macdonald-Lewis
Original assignee: SIGMA OFFSHORE Ltd
Current assignee: SIGMA OFFSHORE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-04-04
Filing date: 2012-04-04
Publication date: 2013-10-09
Also published as: GB201206020D0

Abstract

A device (16, Fig 1) for connecting a mooring line (14, Fig 1) to a floating structure (10, Fig 1) comprises a female mooring component 30 defining an internal passage (34, Fig 4) and a male mooring component (28, Fig 3) which can be located within the passage in the female mooring component so that relative movement between the male mooring component located in the passage and the female mooring component is permitted. One of the female mooring component and the male mooring component can be secured to the floating structure, and the other one to a mooring line which is to be connected to the floating structure so that the mooring line can be pulled-in. The device also comprises a connector 32 which can be provided on an end (36, Fig 1) of the mooring line, and which serves for connecting the mooring line to said other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component. A latch assembly 38 is provided on at least one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING A MOORING LINE TO A FLOATING

STRUCTURE

The present invention relates to a device for connecting a mooring line to a floating structure, and to a corresponding method. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a device for connecting a mooring line to a floating structure such as those employed in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

In the oil and gas exploration and production industry, there have been movements towards the use of floating structures, including Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessels (FPSOs) and Floating Storage and Offloading Vessels (FSOs), for the exploitation of offshore oil and gas fields, An FPSO is moored in an offshore location and is typically coupled to a number of producing wells, for the temporary storage of produced well fluids, which are periodically exported to shore by tankers. FPSOs typically include facilities for separating recovered well fluids into different constituents (oil, gas and water), so as to stabilise crude oil for onward transport by tanker. FSOs are similarly moored and allow for the storage of recovered well fluids, and may either be disconnected from their moorings for travel to an offloading location, or the recovered fluids may similarly be exported by tanker. Other floating structures such as semi-submersible drilling and production rigs, SPAR buoys and CALM (Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring) buoys are also frequently used.

Floating structures offer a number of advantages over older, more permanent structures such as tension leg platforms and gravity base platforms, in that they can easily be disconnected and transported to a new location, when required. Also, the capital build, installation and decommissioning costs can be expected to be lower than for a more permanent structure.

All floating structures require a mooring system comprising a number of mooring lines which are secured to a seabed and to the vessel. The mooring lines may be chains, ropes or wires, or composite lines including chain and rope sections. In the latter case, the chains will typically be provided at the ends of a rope forming a main or central portion of the mooring line. In certain situations, the floating structure is spread-moored' employing a mooring system which holds the structure on station, and resists movement of the structure under external loading (wind, wave, water current and tidal). This is particularly true of semi-submersible rigs, SPAR buoys and, in certain situations, FPSOs and FSOs. In other situations the floating structure is to be allowed to weathervane', that is to move under applied external loading within certain constraints. For example, an FPSO or FSO is frequently moored in such a way that it can rotate about a mooring location under applied external loading. In this situation, the mooring system typically includes a turret (which can be internal or external to the vessel hull), or a canister which is located overboard of the structure. The mooring lines are connected to a chain table' on the lower end of the turret or canister, and the floating structure weathervanes by rotating about the turret or canister, Mooring systems of this type are widely commercially available, including from the present applicant.

Connecting the mooring lines to a floating structure is a complex and dangerous procedure.

It is important that the mooring lines are tensioned to a degree which is sufficient to resist movement of the floating structure off-station under extreme weather conditions. Also, mooring lines suffer from fatigue loads, particularly at the point where they are secured to the floating structure. These loads can lead to failure of the mooring line, and so they are regularly inspected and replaced as and when necessary.

Over the years, a number of different systems have been developed which have sought to address the difficulties both in connecting mooring lines to a floating structure, and in reducing fatigue damage to the lines. However, these systems have been found to be either inadequate or overly expensive.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the foregoing disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for connecting a mooring line to a floating structure, the device comprising: a female mooring component defining an internal passage and a male mooring component which can be located within the passage in the female mooring component so that relative movement between the male mooring component located in the passage and the female mooring component is permitted, and in which one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component can be secured to the floating structure, and the other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component can be secured to a mooring line which is to be connected to the floating structure so that the mooring line can be pulled-in; a connector which can be provided on an end of the mooring line, and which serves for connecting the mooring line to said other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component; and a latch assembly provided on at least one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component for rclcasably securing the mooring components against movement relative to one another following pull-in of the mooring line.

The present invention provides a simple device for connecting a mooring line to a floating structure. One of the female and male mooring components can be secured to the floating structure, and the other to the mooring line. The mooring line can then be pulled-in by drawing up the component which is secured to the mooring line relative to the component which is secured to the floating structure. For example, where the female mooring component is secured to the structure and the male mooring component is secured to the mooring line, the line can be pulled-in by drawing the male mooring component up along the passage in the female mooring component. Where the male mooring component is secured to the structure and the female mooring component is secured to the mooring line, the line can be pulled-in by drawing the female mooring component up over the male mooring component, which is located in the passage in the female mooring component.

Reference is made herein to the pull-in' or pulling-in' of a mooring line. It will be understood that such references are to the connection of mooring line to a floating structure, and to tensioning of the mooring line by exerting a pull force on an end of the line.

The female mooring component may be generally hollow and may be generally tubular.

The passage may extend along an entire length of the female mooring component. At least part of the passage may be generally circular in cross-section. The passage may define an opening which is of a greater dimension (optionally diameter) than a main part of the passage, for guiding the male mooring component into the passage. The opening may be tapered, and may be generally conical or frusto-conical in shape. The female mooring component may be a pull-in shell which is adapted to receive and surround the male mooring component. The male mooring component may be a pull-in body which is adapted to be located within the passage in the female mooring component. The male mooring component may comprise a main part which is shaped to be received in the main part of the passage, and which part may be generally cylindrical in shape. The male mooring component may comprise an enlarged part which is shaped to locate in the opening defined by the passage, and which is of a larger dimension (optionally diameter) than the main part of the mooring component. The enlarged part may be tapered, and may be generally conical or frusto-conical in shape.

The male and female mooring components may define abutment surfaces which cooperate to restrict movement of the mooring components relative to one another beyond a certain point. The male and female mooring components may comprise abutment elements defining the abutment surfaces. The abutment element of the female mooring component may define the opening. The abutment element of the male mooring component may define the enlarged part. The abutment elements may be tapered, and may have corresponding tapers (and thus taper angles). This may ensure a good engagement between the abutment surfaces when the mooring line is pulled-in. The tapered abutment element on the female mooring component may facilitate location of the male mooring component by acting as guide to direct the male mooring component into the passage.

The latch assembly may be provided on the female mooring component or on the male mooring component. At least part of the latch assembly may be provided on the female mooring component, and another part on the male mooring component. The parts may cooperate to latch the mooring components together. It may be preferable to provide the latch assembly on the mooring component which is secured to the floating structure. This may help to restrict exposure of the latch assembly to saltwater andlor risk of striking another object, depending on the position of said mooring component. It may facilitate actuation!maintenance of the latch assembly.

The latch assembly may comprise at least one latch element which is movable between a release position and a latch position for securing the mooring components against movement relative to one another. The at least one latch element may be biased towards the latch position. This may ensure that the latch assembly is fail-safe closed/latched. The at least one latch element may be a dog or a pin. The latch assembly may comprise a plurality of latch elements. The at least one latch element may define a latch surface which is adapted to abut one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component to restrict relative movement between the mooring components. The at least one latch element may define a release surface which is adapted to cooperate with one of the female and male mooring components during pull-in so that the latch element is urged from the latch position towards the release position so that the male mooring component can enter the passage. The release surface may be shaped to cooperate with the abutment surface on the male or female mooring component. The at least one latch element may be mechanically, hydraulically, electro-mechanically and/or electronically actuated. The at least one latch element may be a double-action hydraulically actuated latch element (and so hydraulically moved from the release position to the latch position, and back from the latch position to the release position). The latch assembly may comprise a secondary lock for the at least one latch element, for securing it in its latch position.

The connector may facilitate movement of the mooring line relative to the one of the female and male mooring component that it is secured to, and may reduce exposure of the mooring line to fatigue loads. The connector may be articulated, and may take the form of a universal joint. The connector may comprise a first connector element which can be secured to the mooring line, and a second connector element which can be secured to the one of the female and male mooring components that is to be secured to the mooring line, the first connector element pivotally coupled to the second connector element. The first connector element may be pivotally coupled to the mooring line, and the second connector element may be pivotally coupled to the mooring component. The first and second connector elements may be pivotable relative to the mooring line and mooring component about axes which are perpendicular to one another.

The device may comprise a pull-in line coupled to the one of the female and male mooring component which is to be secured to the mooring line. The pull-in line may serve for pulling-in said mooring component, and so for guiding and tensioning the mooring line.

The pull-in line may be attached to the one of the female and male mooring component by a spelter socket.

The device may be a fairlead, and may serve for both guiding and tensioning the mooring line.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floating structure comprising at least one mooring line which is connected to the floating structure by a device according to the first aspect of the invention.

Further features of the device which forms part of the structure of the second aspect of the invention are defined in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of connecting a mooring line to a floating structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a female mooring component defining an internal passage and a male mooring component which can be located within the passage in the female mooring component so that relative movement between the male mooring component located in the passage and the female mooring component is permitted; securing one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component to the floating structure; securing the other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component to a mooring line which is to be connected to the floating structure; providing a connector on an end of the mooring line and connecting the mooring line to said other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component using the connector; pulling-in the mooring line by pulling-in the mooring component secured to the mooring line relative to the mooring component which is secured to the floating structure; and operating a latch assembly provided on at least one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component following pull-in of the mooring line, to releasably secure the mooring components against movement relative to one another.

The method may comprise securing the female mooring component to the structure and the male mooring component to the mooring line, then pulling-in the mooring line by drawing the male mooring component up along the passage in the female mooring component. The method may comprise securing the male mooring component to the structure and the female mooring component to the mooring line, then pulling-in the mooring line by drawing the female mooring component up over the male mooring component, which is located in the passage in the female mooring component.

The method may comprise pulling the mooring line in until such time as abutment surfaces on the male and female mooring components come into contact, to thereby restrict ftrther movement of the mooring components relative to one another.

The method may comprise moving a latch element of the latch assembly from a release position to a latch position in which the latch element secures the mooring components against movement relative to one another. The method may comprise biasing the latch element towards the latch position, such as by a spring. The method may comprise operating a secondary lock to secure the latch element in its latch position.

The method may comprise securing a first connector element to the mooring line, and a second connector element to the one of the female and male mooring components that is to be secured to the mooring line, and pivotally coupling the first connector element to the second connector element, The method may comprise arranging the first and second connector elements so that they are pivotable relative to the mooring line and mooring component about axes which are perpendicular to one another.

The method may comprise coupling a pull-in line to the one of the female and male mooring component which is to be secured to the mooring line. The method may comprise coupling the pull-in line to said component using a spelter socket.

Further features of the method of the first aspect of the present invention may be derived from the text set out above in relation to the first and/or second aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a floating structure which has been moored in an offshore location by means of a plurality of mooring lines, each mooring line secured to the floating structure by means of a device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the device for connecting a mooring lthe to a floating structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view of a male mooring component forming part of the device shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view of a female mooring component forming part of the device shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a view of a connector forming part of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Turning firstly to Fig. 1, there is shown a side view of a floating structure in the form of an FPSO 10 which has been moored in an offshore location 12 by means of a plurality of mooring lines 14, each mooring line being secured to the FPSO 10 by means of a device 16 according to the present invention. The device 16 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2, which is an enlarged perspective view of the device, and will be described below. The device 16 may operate as a fairlead for guiding and securing the mooring line 14 to the FPSO 10.

Whilst the device 16 of the present invention is shown connecting a mooring line 14 to a floating structure in the form of the FPSO 10, it will be understood that it has a use in connecting mooring lines to a wide range of other types of floating structures that are typically employed in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. These include but are not limited to FSOs, semi-submersible drilling or production platforms, SPAR buoys, CALM buoys, tankers or other seagoing vessels.

In the illustrated embodiment, the FPSO 10 is moored in the location of a producing oil or gas field 18. The FPSO 10 includes an internal turret 20 about which a hull 22 of the FPSO 10 can weathervane (i.e. rotate) under external wind, wave, tidal and/or current loading. The FPSO 10 is moored by means of the mooring lines 14, any suitable number of which may be provided. Four mooring lines 14 are shown in the drawing and are of like construction. The mooring lines 14 can be chains, ropes or wires (of metal or a plastics material), or composite lines comprising chain and rope/wire portions. In the latter case, IS the composite mooring line typically comprises chain sections at its upper and lower ends, and a central or main rope/wire section which is secured to the chain sections. Each mooring line 14 and associated device 16 is of similar construction, and so only a single line and device will be described herein in detail.

An arrangement of fluid risers 22 are provided for connecting the FPSO 10 to producing wells or subsea production manifolds (not shown), in a conventional fashion. A power and control umbilical 24 is also illustrated, which provides power and control functions for subsea components such as a production manifold, or subsea tree on a wellhead of a producing well. The risers 22 and umbilical 24 are shown in a lazy wave' configuration, known in the industry, where a buoy or buoyancy elements (not shown) are coupled to the risers and umbilical at a location 26. This provides for a degree of play in the movement of the risers 22 and umbilical 24 as the FPSO 10 moves under external loading. It will be understood that the system of risers 22 and umbilical 24, and their arrangement in a lazy wave configuration, are merely exemplary. Systems with different risers/and or umbilieals (or other pipes), and other configurations, may be employed.

Returning to Fig. 2, the device 16 for connecting the mooring line 14 to the FPSO 10 will now be described in more detail. The device 16 comprises a male mooring component 28 which is shown separately in Fig. 3, a female mooring component 30 which is shown separately in Fig. 4, and a connector 32 which is shown separately in Fig. 5. The female mooring component 30 is hollow, and generally tubular, defining an internal passage 34 which extends along a length of the component. In the illustrated embodiment, the female component 30 takes the form of a pull-in shell. The male mooring component 28 can be located within the passage 34 in the pull-in shell 30 so that relative movement between the male mooring component located in the passage and the pull-in shell is permitted. In the illustrated embodiment, the male component 28 takes the form of a pull-in body.

The connector 32 is provided on an end 36 (Fig. 1) of the mooring line 14, and serves for connecting the mooring line to the other one of the female pull-in shell 30 and the male pull-in body 28. A latch assembly 38 is provided on at least one of the female pull-in shell 30 and the male pull-in body 28, for releasably securing them against movement relative to one another, following pull-in of the mooring line 14. One of the female pull-in shell 30 and the male pull-in body 28 can be secured to the FPSO 10, and the other one of the female pull-in shell 30 and the male pull-in body 28 can be secured to the mooring line 14 which is to be connected to the FPSO. In this way, the mooring line 14 can be pulled-in.

In the illustrated embodiment, the female pull-in shell 30 is secured to the FPSO 10, specifically to a chain table 40 (Fig. 1) on a lower end of the turret 20. The male pull-in body 28 is secured to the mooring line 14, by means of the connector 32. The latch assembly 38 is, in the illustrated embodiment, provided on the female pull-in shell 30.

This provides benefits including facilitating operation of the latch assembly 38, and also maintenance. In other situations, it may provide additional benefits. For example, where the floating structure is a semi-submersible platform (not shown), the latch assembly 38 can be provided above sea level, reducing exposure of the latch assembly to salt water and wave loading. This may also be the case for other types of spread-moored structures, including FPSOs, where the female pull-in shell 30 would be secured to a suitable strong-point on the structure.

In use, a mooring anchor of any type (not shown) is connected to a lower end of the mooring line 14, and is then installed in seabed 42, with the mooring line laid away from the anchor, according to conventional procedure. When the FPSO 10 is ready to be moored, the mooring line 14 is lifted from the seabed 42 (usually by an Anchor Handling Tug -not shown), and the pull-in body 28 is connected to the mooring line 14 by the connector 32. Prior to connection, the mooring line 14 length can be adjusted, if necessary. The pull-in body 28 has a pull-in line 44 attached at the end which is opposite to the mooring line 14. Typically, the pull-in line 44 will be a multi-strand metal rope or wire attached to the pull-in body using a spelter' socket, and so provided as part of the pull-in body. A spelter socket is formed by locating the pull-in wire 44 within a passage (not shown) in the pull-in body 28, separating out the ends of strands forming the wire in an enlarged socket chamber, and then pouring a molten metal (usually Zinc) into the socket chamber. The pull-in wire 44 is fed through the pull-in shell 30 and up to a winch (not shown) on the topsides 46 of the FPSO 10. A messenger line (not shown) can be used to feed the pull-in wire 44 up to the topsides winch. The pull-in wire 44 is then used to winch in the mooring line 14 until the pull-in body 28 enters, and then latches into, the pull-in shell 30, latching being achieved by means of the latch assembly 38. The latch assembly 38 locks the pull-in body 28 into the pull-in shell 30, and transfers all of the mooring loads from the mooring line 14 into the chain-table 40 (or to the strong-point on the hull 22).

The latch assembly 38 can be remotely controlled, to facilitate uncoupling of the pull-in body 28 from the pull-in shell 30, and hence disconnection of the mooring line 14 from the FPSO 10.

The device 16 and its method of operation will now be described in more detail.

The passage 34 in the female pull-in shell 30 is generally circular in cross-section, and defines an opening 48 at a lower end 50, which is of a greater diameter than a main part 52 of the passage, for guiding the male pull-in body 28 into the passage. The opening is tapered and, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally conical or frusto-conical in shape.

Reinforcing elements in the form of shell web plates 51 are spaced around a circumference of the pull-in shell 30, and reinforce the lower end 50 of the pull-in shell, which defines the opening 48. The male pull-in body 28 comprises a main part 54 which is shaped to be received in the main part 52 of the passage 34, and which is generally cylindrical in shape.

The pull-in body 28 also comprises an enlarged part 56 which is shaped to locate in the opening 48 defined by the passage 34, and which is of a larger diameter than the main part 54. The enlarged part 56 is tapered, and generally conical or frusto-conical in shape.

The pull-in body 28 and pull-in shell 30 define respective, corresponding abutment surfaces 58 and 60 which cooperate to restrict movement of the shell and body relative to one another beyond a certain point, which follows latching of the body and shell together.

These abutment surfaces 58 and 60 are defined by the enlarged part 56 of the pull-in body 28, and the lower end 50 of the pull-in shell 30 (which end defines the opening 48), the part 56 and end 50 effectively forming abutment elements. The tapered shapes of the enlarged part 56 and the opening 50 provide a good engagement between the abutment surfaces 58 and 60 when the mooring line 14 is pulled-in. The tapered opening 48 on the female pull-in shell 30 also facilitates location of the male pull-in body 28 within the passage 34, by acting as guide to direct it into the passage.

The connector (or jewellery') 32 facilitates movement of the mooring line 14 relative to the male pull-in body 28 that it is secured to, and also the female pull-in shell 30, following connection. It also reduces the risk of fatigue damage to the mooring line 14, compared to prior devices and systems. The connector 32 is articulated, and takes the form of a universal joint type structure. The connector 32 comprises a first connector element 62 which takes the form of an H-plate', and which is secured to the mooring line 14 by means of depending chain links 64, 66. A second connector element 68 in the form of a Y-plate' is secured to the male pull-in body 28, and is also pivotally coupled to the H-plate 62 via a pin 69. The H-plate is effectively pivotally coupled to the mooring line 14, and the Y-plate to the pull-in body 28, the plates being pivotable about respective axes 70 and 72 which are perpendicular to one another. The connector 32 attached to the pull-in body 28 thus incorporates two "hinges", which are created by respective pins 74 and 76 in the Y-plate 68 and H-plate 62. The hinges are oriented perpendicular to each other, and prevent any significant movement or moments in the chain, thereby avoiding wear and out-of-plane fatigue in the chain links 64, 66 and removing any need to adjust the chain position to avoid these actions. Other arrangements or shapes of connector elements may be employed including conventional shacides.

The latch assembly 38 is provided on the pull-in shell 30, and comprises at least one latch element 78. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch assembly 38 comprises six latch elements 78, two of which are shown in the Figure. Each latch element 78 is generally radially movable between a release position (not shown) and a latch position (Figs. 2 and 4), for securing the pull-in body 28 and pull-in shell 30 against movement relative to one another. The latch elements 78 are typically double-action hydraulically actuated, and so hydraulically moved from their release positions to their latch positions, and back from their latch positions to their release positions. The latch elements 78 are biased towards their latch positions, such as by a spring. In this way, the latch assembly is fail-safe closed or latched, because the latch elements 78 will move to, or stay in, their latch positions in the event of a hydraulic failure. The latch elements 78 take the form of dogs or pins. The latch dogs 78 each define a latch surface 80 (Fig. 4) which is adapted to abut an end face 82 of the pull-in body 28, to restrict relative (axial) movement between the body and the shell 30. The latch dogs 78 also define inclined release surfaces 84, which are adapted to cooperate with the tapered surface 58 of the pull-in body 28 during pull-in, so that the latch dogs 78 are urged from their latch positions towards their release positions, and so that the pull-in body can enter the passage 34. The latch dogs 78 can be mechanically, electro-mechanically and/or electronically actuated. The latch assembly 38 can comprise secondary locks (not shown) for the latch dogs 78, for securing them in their latch positions.

In use, the pull-in body 28 is pulled up towards the pull-in shell 30 by means of the pull-in wire 44 attached to the winch. The main part 54 of the pull-in body 28 enters the opening 48 defined by the lower end 50 of the pull-in shell 30, and the tapered abutment surface 60 of the opening cooperates with an upper, tapered guide surface 86 on the pull-in body, to guide it into the main part 52 of the passage 34. The pull-in body 28 is then centred in the pull-in shell 30, and is drawn in, carrying the mooring line 14. This movement continues until such time as the abutment surface 58 on the enlarged part 56 of the pull-in body 28 comes into contact with the dog release surfaces 84. The dogs 78 are then moved outwardly against their biasing action, so that the enlarged part 56 can enter the opening 48 in the lower end 50 of the shell 30. When the pull-in body 28 has travelled axially far enough into the opening 48 that the latch surfaces 80 have cleared the lower end of the enlarged part 56 of the body 28, the latch dogs 78 move back to their latch positions. The latch surfaces 80 then contact the end face 82 of the pull-in body 28, to securely latch it to the shell 30 and thus secure the mooring line 14 to the FPSO 10. When required, the latch dogs 78 can be returned to their release positions to allow the pull-in body 28 to be withdrawn from the pull-in shell 30, so that the mooring line 14 can be released.

The present invention can provide a means of coimecting mooring lines to a floating structure intended for use for production vessels in the offshore oil and gas production industry where vessels are to be moored in a single location for extended periods. The device enables a mooring line to be winched in to the floating structure and locked into position with a minimal amount of intervention.

Various modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, the male mooring component may be secured to the floating structure and the female mooring component may be secured to the mooring line, the line being pulled-in by drawing the female mooring component up over the male mooring component, which is located in the passage in the female mooring component.

The latch assembly may be provided on the male mooring component. At least part of the latch assembly may be provided on the female mooring component, and another part on the male mooring component. The parts may cooperate to latch the mooring components together.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A device for connecting a mooring line to a floating structure, the device comprising: a female mooring component defining an internal passage and a male mooring component which can be located within the passage in the female mooring component so that relative movement between the male mooring component located in the passage and the female mooring component is permitted, and in which one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component can be secured to the floating structure, and the other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component can be secured to a mooring line which is to be connected to the floating structure so that the mooring line can be pulled-in; a connector which can be provided on an end of the mooring line, and which serves for connecting the mooring line to said other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component; and a latch assembly provided on at least one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component for releasably securing the mooring components against movement relative to one another following pull-in of the mooring line.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the female mooring component is generally tubular and the passage extends along an entire length of the female mooring component.
3. A device as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, in which the passage defines a main part, and an opening which is of a greater dimension than the main part, for guiding the male mooring component into the passage.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the opening is tapered.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the female mooring component is a pull-in shell which is adapted to receive and surround the male mooring component, and the male mooring component is a pull-in body which is adapted to be located within the passage in the pull-in shell.
6. A device as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, or claim 5 when dependent on claim 3, in which the male mooring component comprises a main part which is shaped to be received in the main part of the passage, and an enlarged part which is shaped to locate in the opening defined by the passage, and which is of a larger dimension than the main part of the male mooring component.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which the enlarged part of the male mooring component is tapered.
8, A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the male and female mooring components define abutment surfaces which cooperate to restrict movement of the mooring components relative to one another beyond a certain point.
9. A device as claimed in claim 8, when dependent on claim 6, in which the male and female mooring components comprise abutment elements defining the abutment surfaces, the abutment element of the female mooring component defining the opening of the passage and the abutment element of the male mooring component defining the enlarged part of the male mooring component.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9, in which the abutment elements are tapered and have corresponding taper angles.
11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the latch assembly is provided on the female mooring component or on the male mooring component.
12. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, in which at least part of the latch assembly is provided on the female mooring component, and another part on the male mooring component, the parts cooperating to latch the mooring components together.
13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the latch assembly comprises at least one latch element which is movable between a release position and a latch position for securing the mooring components against movement relative to one another.
14. A device as claimed in claim 13, in which the at least one latch element is biased towards the latch position.
15. A device as claimed in either of claims 13 or 14, in which the at least one latch element defines a latch surface which is adapted to abut one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component to restrict relative movement between the mooring components, and a release surface which is adapted to cooperate with one of the female and male mooring components during pull-in so that the latch element is urged from the latch position towards the release position so that the male mooring component can enter the passage.
16. A device as claimed in claim 15, when dependent on claim 8, in which the release surface is shaped to cooperate with the abutment surface on the male or female mooring component.
17. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the connector comprises a first connector element which can be secured to the mooring line, and a second connector element which can be secured to the one of the female and male mooring components that is to be secured to the mooring line, the first connector element pivotally coupled to the second connector element.
18. A device as claimed in claim 17, in which the first connector element is pivotally coupled to the mooring line, and the second connector element is pivotally coupled to the mooring component, and in which the first and second connector elements are pivotable relative to the mooring line and mooring component about axes which are perpendicular to one another.
19. A floating structure comprising at least one mooring line which is connected to the floating structure by a device according to any one of claims ito 18.
20. A method of connecting a mooring line to a floating structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a female mooring component defining an internal passage and a male mooring component which can be located within the passage in the female mooring component so that relative movement between the male mooring component located in the passage and the female mooring component is permitted; securing one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component to the floating structure; securing the other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component to a mooring line which is to be connected to the floating structure; providing a connector on an end of the mooring line and connecting the mooring line to said other one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component using the connector; pulling-in the mooring line by pulling-in the mooring component secured to the mooring line relative to the mooring component which is secured to the floating structure; and operating a latch assembly provided on at least one of the female mooring component and the male mooring component following pull-in of the mooring line, to releasably secure the mooring components against movement relative to one another.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising securing the female mooring component to the structure and the male mooring component to the mooring line, then pulling-in the mooring line by drawing the male mooring component up along the passage in the female mooring component.
22. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising securing the male mooring component to the structure and the female mooring component to the mooring line, then pulling-in the mooring line by drawing the female mooring component up over the male mooring component, which locates in the passage in the female mooring component.
23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, comprising pulling-in the mooring line in until such time as abutment surfaces on the male and female mooring components come into contact, to thereby restrict further movement of the mooring components relative to one another.
24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23, comprising moving a latch element of the latch assembly from a release position to a latch position in which the latch element secures the mooring components against movement relative to one another.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24, comprising biasing the latch element towards the latch position, and operating a secondary lock to secure the latch element in its latch position.
26. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 25, comprising securing a first connector element to the mooring line, and a second connector element to the one of the female and male mooring components that is to be secured to the mooring line, and pivotally coupling the first connector element to the second connector element.
27. A method as claimed in claim 26, comprising arranging the first and second connector elements so that they are pivotable relative to the mooring line and mooring component about axes which are perpendicular to one another.
28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 27, comprising coupling a pull-in line to the one of the female and male mooring component which is to be secured to the mooring line and pulling-in said component, and the mooring line secured to said component, using the pull-in line.