Tug barge lightering connection system

Abstract

A lightering connection system is provided for coupling a tug boat to a barge, where the connection permits relative vertical movement between the tug and barge while maintaining horizontal movement control between the vessels. The tug boat has port and starboard retractable rams having coupler heads which engage the barge along inboard port and starboard vertical receiver channels. The coupler heads and vertical receiver channels are provided with waveform surfaces to permit interlocking engagement between the tug boat and barge. The waveform surfaces also permit smooth relative movement of the surfaces as the ram disengages in performing the lightering operation. The coupler heads and vertical channel receivers have a mating angular construction to maintain horizontal movement control between the tug and barge during the lightering operation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This present continuation patent application is related to and claims priority benefit of an earlier-filed non-provisional patent application of the same title, Ser. No. 11 / 345,792, filed Feb. 2, 2006, and an even earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 649,849, filed Feb. 2, 2005. The identified earlier-filed applications are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of marine equipment, particularly, the art of connecting tugboats or pusher vessels with barges or other non-powered vessels which are equipped with a notch in the stern of the barge for receiving a tug or pusher vessel therein.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Barges are used to transport cargo on water, but have no self-propelling mechanisms, and rely primarily on tugboats or other pusher vessels for movement fro...

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