Mooring system for semisubmersible drilling platform

摘要

A mooring system for a semisubmersible platform used for drilling in arctic waters wherein a self-powered mooring ring acts as a guide and support for a plurality of mooring cables anchored to the ocean floor at widely spaced points around the drill site. The mooring ring has ballast tanks and compressed air tanks, with remotely controlled valves to control the buoyancy of the ring. The ring is detachably secured to the platform and the cables detachably secured to mooring winches on the platform. The ring can be raised and lowered between the ocean floor and the bottom of the semisubmerged platform structure by remotely or manually controlling the buoyancy, permitting the ring and collar to be detached and lowered to the ocean floor when not in use, and later raised and attached to the platform when the platform is moved on location.