UNDERWATER CHAIN STOPPER AND FAIRLEAD FOR ANCHORING OFFSHORE STRUCTURES WITH MECHANISM FOR REDUCING OUT OF PLANE BENDING FATIGUE

摘要

A chain stopper and fairlead apparatus for mooring an offshore structure using an anchor line or chain. According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first flexible member coupled between the fairlead and a guide member, and a second flexible member coupled between the guide member and the chain stopper. The first flexible member is configured to flex or bend in a first plane in response to movement (e.g. out of plane movement) of the anchor line or chain, and the second flexible member is configured to flex or bend in a second plane in response to movement (e.g. out of plane movement) of the anchor line. According to an embodiment, the first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.