Deep sea cargo vessel

Claim 1

A method of loading a seagoing cargo vessel which comprises the steps of providing a partially-submersible cargo vessel having a cargo deck; providing a cargo barge; submersing the vessel to a level necessary to submerge the cargo deck to a depth below the cargo barge bottom; positioning the cargo barge over the submerged cargo deck and mooring the cargo barge to the cargo vessel by reeving lines from the cargo vessel at locations below the elevation of the points of connection to the cargo barge, and drawing the cargo barge downward relative to the cargo deck under constant line tension conditions as the cargo vessel is resurfaced; resurfacing the cargo vessel to contact the cargo deck with the cargo barge bottom and lift the cargo barge free of the water surface.

Claim 2

A method of loading a seagoing cargo vessel which comprises the steps of providing a partially-submersible cargo vessel having a cargo deck; providing a cargo barge; submersing the vessel to a level necessary to submerge the cargo deck to a depth below the cargo barge bottom; positioning the cargo barge over the submerged cargo deck and mooring the cargo barge to the cargo vessel by reeving lines from the cargo vessel at locations below the elevation of the points of connection to the cargo barge, and drawing the cargo barge downward relative to the cargo deck under constant line tension conditions as the cargo vessel is resurfaced; resurfacing the cargo vessel to contact the cargo deck with the cargo barge bottom and lift the cargo barge free of the water surface.

Claim 5

A system for transporting loaded cargo barges by sea which comprises a seagoing cargo vessel having an upper cargo deck, ballast tanks in the hold and means for filling the ballast tanks with sea water to submerse the vessel to the extent necessary to submerge the cargo deck, and for emptying the ballast tanks to resurface the vessel, a deck house extending above the cargo deck sufficiently to remain above water when the vessel is in a submersed condition; a cargo barge having a shallow draft and adapted to be floated over the cargo deck when the vessel is in a submersed condition; winch means adapted to hold the cargo barge in position over the cargo deck when the vessel is in a submersed condition and until the vessel is resurfaced; said winch means comprising a plurality of constant tension winches mounted by the vessel with lines wound thereon and adapted to be secured to fore and aft ends of the cargo barge and adapted to be tensioned to a predetermined degree to Maintain the position of the cargo barge over the cargo deck when the vessel is in a submersed condition; and means mounted by the vessel to direct the lines upward to the points of connection with the cargo barge such that the constant tension winches will remain effective in positioning the cargo barge as the vessel is resurfaced.

Claim 6

A system for transporting loaded cargo barges by sea which comprises a seagoing cargo vessel having an upper cargo deck, ballast tanks in the hold and means for filling the ballast tanks with sea water to submerse the vessel to the extent necessary to submerge the cargo deck, and for emptying the ballast tanks to resurface the vessel, a deck house extending above the cargo deck sufficiently to remain above water when the vessel is in a submersed condition; a cargo barge having a shallow draft and adapted to be floated over the cargo deck when the vessel is in a submersed condition; winch means adapted to hold the cargo barge in position over the cargo deck when the vessel is in a submersed condition and until the vessel is resurfaced; said winch means comprising a plurality of constant tension winches mounted by the vessel with lines wound thereon and adapted to be secured to fore and aft ends of the cargo barge and adapted to be tensioned to a predetermined degree to Maintain the position of the cargo barge over the cargo deck when the vessel is in a submersed condition; and means mounted by the vessel to direct the lines upward to the points of connection with the cargo barge such that the constant tension winches will remain effective in positioning the cargo barge as the vessel is resurfaced.

Claim 8

A system for transporting loaded cargo barges by sea which comprises a seagoing vessel having a cargo supporting deck, ballast tanks and means for filling the ballast tanks with sea water to partially submerse the vessel to the extent necessary to submerge the cargo supporting deck and for emptying the ballast tanks to resurface the cargo supporting deck, a cargo barge having a shallow draft and adapted to be floated over the cargo supporting deck when the deck is submerged, and winch means for drawing the cargo barge over the cargo supporting deck and for pulling the cargo barge downwardly against the cargo supporting deck for holding the cargo barge on the deck after the cargo supporting deck is resurfaced.

Claim 9

A system for transporting loaded cargo barges by sea which comprises a seagoing vessel having a cargo supporting deck, ballast tanks and means for filling the ballast tanks with sea water to partially submerse the vessel to the extent necessary to submerge the cargo supporting deck and for emptying the ballast tanks to resurface the cargo supporting deck, a cargo barge having a shallow draft and adapted to be floated over the cargo supporting deck when the deck is submerged, and winch means for drawing the cargo barge over the cargo supporting deck and for pulling the cargo barge downwardly against the cargo supporting deck for holding the cargo barge on the deck after the cargo supporting deck is resurfaced.