A reel pipelay vessel is used to lay a first pipeline (6) and a second pipeline (7) subsequently. The second pipeline (7) is spooled on top of the first pipeline (6) at a shore base by use of transition joint (11) secured to the trailing end of the first pipeline (6) and to the leading end of the second pipeline (7). A variety of transition joints are described. In each case, the bending characteristic of the transition joint is selected to avoid buckling during spooling of the pipe transition. In an alternative embodiment the transition joint comprises a first pipe section (21) of first diameter hingeably connected to a second pipe section (22) of second diameter, the first and second pipe sections being bent to a common radius corresponding to the radius of curvature of the first pipe when spooled onto a reel. IMAGE
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