Apparatus for mounting a coupling member over a pipe end in a subsea location

Claim 1

In apparatus for mounting a coupling member over the end of a pipe in a subsea location where the pipe end is being supported in cantilevered fashion, the combination comprising: a frame arranged for lowering to and mounting generally adjacent said pipe end and supported on the seabottom; an elongated support beam connected to said frame and arranged to extend generally longitudinally over said pipe to support said coupling member therebelow; a carriage mounted on said support beam for longitudinal travel thereon; means for moving said carriage longitudinally along said support beam; means connected to said carriage means for holding said coupling member therebelow; a guide beam connected to said frame and extending generally transversely thereto; means connected to said guide beam for initially contacting and holding said support beam in generally parallel alignment therewith; alignment means connected to one end of said support beam for contacting said pipe and spacing said beam end a predetermined distance therefrom; means connected between said frame and said beam for raising and lowering said beam while said coupling member is supported thereby; and means for moving said support beam transversely relative to said frame and said pipe; whereby said frame and said coupling can be lowered in a body of water until said frame contacts said seabottom, and said coupling member can be brought into coaxial alignment with and passed over the end of said pipe by operation thereof.