Offshore load-handling system

Claim 1

An offshore load-handling system comprising: a hydraulically-operated A-frame having side arms and a cross-member interconnecting the arms at corresponding ends thereof; the side arms being mounted at their inner ends on a deck for pivotal movement relative to the deck about a first horizontal axis; a head suspended under the cross-member for pivotal movement relative to the A-frame about a second horizontal axis parallel to the first horizontal axis; an assembly depending from the head via hydraulic ram means for lowering and raising a second frame from and towards the head; first formations on the underside of the assembly for locating and latching with second formations on a load in order to releasably secure the load without the possibility of its slewing relative to the assembly and a load-carrying line; the assembly including the second frame connected directly to the hydraulic ram means, and a third frame suspended under the second frame for pivotal movement relative to the second frame about a third normally horizontal axis transverse to the first and second axes and under the second axis; first damping means for damping the pivotal movement of the head relative to the A-frame about the second axis; second damping means for damping the pivotal movement of the third frame relative to the second frame about the third axis; at least the second damping means having a selective disengagement facility; and guiding means on the second and third frame for closely guiding the load-carrying line so that a load on the line causes the third frame to become aligned with the load.