Bend stiffener element, support body and structure

Abstract

A method and apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure are disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a further end of the support body; and a bend stiffener element securable at the first end; wherein a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element, for at least a portion of a whole length of the bend stiffener element, is curved.

Description

[0001] BEND STIFFENER ELEMENT, SUPPORT BODY AND STRUCTURE

[0002] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, and methods and apparatus for reducing forces imparted on, and / or aberrant bending of, an elongate flexible member due to contact with an environmental bed. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to utilising a non-straight bend stiffener element, that for example may form part of a Cable Protection System (CPS), outside of a wall of a structure to help reduce forces imparted on the cable due to abutment between the CPS and an environmental base (such as a seabed). This may be by decreasing a free-span region that is a region in which the CPS is extends from a structure to an environmental base (for example a seabed). The CPS in the free-span region may be unsupported and thus may be exposed (and can move responsive to) environmental forces which can cause damage to the CPS. Thus, reducing the free-span region can help reduce the amount of a CPS exposed to such environmental forces and can help reduce damage to CPS and / or cable components. Furthermore, reducing the free-span region may reduce an area in which the CPS is arranged and / or is able to move (in the free-span region) due to incident external forces. Reducing the free-span region by using a bend stiffener element (that extends along a longitudinal neutral axis that is nonstraight when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state) may decrease a distance between a touch-down point of the CPS and the structure in comparison to utilisation of conventional bend stiffeners. This may help reduce the forces incident on a CPS the free- span region as such forces might be reduced closer to the structure.

[0003] The present invention may also relate to methods and apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, for example a facility, apparatus for locating an elongate element through an aperture of an offshore structure, a Cable Protection System, a Cable Protection System for deploying a cable through an aperture of a structure, for example an offshore structure, and a structure. In particular, but not exclusively the invention may relate to a Cable Protection System (CPS) for locating subsea power cables through an aperture in a wall of an offshore structure, a CPS that is generally non-straight and includes a non-straight rigid support body, A Cable Protection System that includes a rigid support body having a non-straight through passageway, and an associated offshore structure.

[0004] The present invention may also relate to a foundation, a method of locating a sea cable at a desired location with respect to a sea cable feedthrough of a foundation for an offshore windfarm, apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a facility, apparatus for locating an elongate element through an aperture of an offshore structure, and a structure. In particular, but not exclusively the invention may relate to a Cable Protection System (CPS) for locating subsea power cables through an aperture in a wall of an offshore structure, a CPS that is generally non-straight and includes a non-straight rigid support body and an associated offshore structure and an aperture, for receiving a CPS and / or a cable, disposed at a low position above the seabed or disposed beneath the seabed.

[0005] From time to time, it is known that flexible elongate members such as electricity cables, flexible pipes, umbilical’s or the like need to be passed through a rigid fixed wall in a facility for various reasons. These reasons may include transferring electrical power or utilities to and / or from the facility. The rigid wall is often therefore provided with an aperture through which the flexible elongate member is passed. The flexible elongate member then needs to be held in place with respect to the aperture in the wall of that facility. If the aperture of the facility is located below a local water level there may be an additional need to seal a gap between an outside of the flexible elongate member and the wall of the facility. Depending upon the particular use in question the wall and flexible elongate member need to be held in a predetermined spatial relationship for a prolonged period of time. The predetermined spatial relationship may account for a degree of motion of the elongate member with respect to the wall due to stretching or slipping of the elongate member or clearance required to install CPS into aperture; CPS installers typically require a 10mm radial clearance between the CPS and monopile aperture, and motion of the flexible elongate member due to environmental effects, such as currents / wave cycles outside the facility in a subsea environment, or the movement of the WTG structure due to wind loads & vibration whilst the cable remains relatively static, for example.

[0006] A wide variety of situations wherein passage of a flexible elongate member through one or more wall-like parts of a facility are known. One example of such a situation relates to the provision of a power cable through a monopile section of an offshore wind turbine generator (WTG). Other examples of facilities where passage of a flexible elongate member through a wall-like part of the facility may be desired include concrete WTG foundations, gravity based WTG foundations, floating solar array foundations, tidal wave generation structures, structures associated with telecommunications systems, structures associated with hydraulic systems, structures associated with fluid transfer systems via pipes and the like, structures associated with underwater mining operations, structures associated with underwater oil and gas extraction, structures associated with fracking activities, structures associated with offshore power generation, structures associated with onshore power generation, structures associated with power distribution networks (for example substations and transformers) structures associated with portable power technologies, structures associated with venting gases (for example venting hydrogen gas produced by hydrolysis at offshore wind turbines or solar installations), and the like. The walls of such facilities may be formed from different materials and have a variety of dimensions such as thickness. For example, a wall may be a flat metallic or round metallic element or may be a flat or round concrete element.

[0007] In the case of WTGs it is known that these may be located in a variety of different places. For example onshore WTGs are known and include WTGs situated on dry land and also WTGs situated in inland bodies of water such as lakes. Offshore WTGs are also known and are typically arranged such that a monopile section of the WTG facility is submerged in seawater. WTGs could of course alternatively be arranged in freshwater or brackish water environments. For both onshore WTGs and offshore WTGs, it may be desired that a flexible elongate member, such as an electricity cable, is passed into the WTG from the surrounding environment outside a wall of a facility via an aperture in the wall of the WTG. Often, for offshore WTGs and partially submerged onshore WTGs, the aperture is located in a monopile section of the WTG and is therefore below an expected water level of the environment. The monopile portion of the WTG includes a section that is piled into the ground and an upper portion that protrudes upwards to which other parts of the WTG are effectively mounted. In such situations, the dynamic nature of a nearby water environment (due to tides, wave cycles, currents and the like) causes the cable to move. Such motion of the cable, when situated in an aperture of a monopile wall, can cause significant damage to the cable due to excessive bending, causing mechanical failure through elastic & plastic deformation at high loads or mechanical fatigue failure at very low cyclic loads (with 10+ millions of cycles during 40 year design life), and by abutment and chafing of the cable on the inner surface / edge of the aperture through which the cable extends. It is therefore desirable to arrange a cable protection system (CPS) radially around a portion of the cable that includes the part of the cable which extends through the aperture, when the cable is installed in the WTG, or other facility.

[0008] A Cable Protection System (CPS) can be received by a suitable CPS aperture in the monopile of the WTG. The CPS is an assembly of multiple elements that help retain the cable in a relative position with respect to the wall of the monopile, and helps control bending of the cable within the inside of the monopile and outside of the monopile wall. The CPS also provides protection for the outer surface of the cable and helps reduce any damage to the cable due to abutment with the inner surface of the aperture in the monopile wall. That is to say the implementation of a cable protection system helps protect the cable from abrasion at the aperture and / or over bending during installation and operation at the aperture by providing a minimum bend radius for a specified moment load. The CPS aperture is ideally as small as possible as it has a direct effect on the fatigue life of the supporting asset (monopile wall).

[0009] The CPS typically includes a support body which surrounds the cable portion that resides in and through the aperture of the monopile wall at any given moment in time in use. When the CPS is installed in the WTG monopile, via an aperture in the monopile wall, a retaining method is utilised to retain the support body of the CPS at a predetermined position with respect to the aperture such that the CPS acts to protect the cable. The retaining method typically helps prevent removal of the support body, and thus the CPS, from the aperture in the monopile wall. Some retaining methods are however prone to failure due to mechanical point loading of individual retaining elements abutting against a monopile wall. Furthermore, some retaining methods fail to correctly deploy or activate when a CPS deviates from a preferred orientation.

[0010] Presently offshore and onshore WTG cable and cable protection system failures are prolific. These are very costly in terms of lost revenue and cable and cable protection replacement. New WTGs can generate electricity up to £50,000 per day and therefore the failure of a retaining latch or other such securing mechanism can have large financial implications. Furthermore, should a latch fail, not deploy correctly or cause damage the WTG monopile, the CPS is often not easy to remove from the WTG monopile for maintenance or decommission. This may incur further costs and may result in further lost revenue.

[0011] In addition, some CPS arrangements risk overstressing and damaging a cable during installation of the CPS / cable in an offshore structure. This is because a straight aligned CPS is installed through an aperture of a structure at a particular penetration angle. Such arrangements can result in an end region of the CPS (and potentially an associated portion of a cable) rubbing or otherwise impacting against the seabed terrain (or other environmental base) which can impart stresses on the CPS and cable. In particular, a cable can inadvertently be flexed beyond a minimum bend radius that is tolerable by the cable. Thus one can inadvertently damage cables and / or parts of a protection system such as an associated bend stiffener during installation of said cables. Cable replacement (and CPS replacement) can be a time consuming and expensive undertaking. Furthermore, due to conventional CPS arrangements, apertures in offshore structures and / or facilities are typically arranged at a distance of around 5m above the seabed. This spaced apart relationship is needed to minimise the previously mentioned abrasion / over bending problem. However, it is sometimes advantageous to install a cable, via a cable protection system, in an offshore structure and / or facility as low as possible to the seabed to minimise external forces incident on the CPS and cable. Conventional CPS arrangements limit how close to the seabed an aperture can be arranged.

[0012] Additionally, conventional CPS arrangements often require that an aperture in a wall of a structure be provided above the level of a seabed. It may however be beneficial to provide an aperture in a wall of a monopile below the level of an environmental bed, such as the seabed, in order to reduce the motion and forces imparted on a cable in a so-called freespan area between an end of a CPS and a cable burial point outside of a structure.

[0013] Still furthermore with conventional CPS solutions the shape of the rigid body and mounting methodologies used mean that apertures in the wall of the facility must be created having an angled sidewall. That is to say the edges of the aperture have to be machined in a complex and difficult way to be inclined to help orient the rigid support body at a correct position / orientation. This is a costly and relatively difficult procedure.

[0014] Often bend stiffener elements are utilised to help reduce a likelihood of damage to a cable (extending through a CPS) due to unwanted bending that may, for example, be forced below a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with the cable. Bend stiffener elements might sometimes be utilised to lower a contact stress between a CPS and cable armour wires and / or various tapes and / or protection sheaths within (which can sometimes be prone to failure and sometimes are fatigue failure hotspots). Such unwanted bending can sometimes occur for example due to contact with a CPS and a seabed (the geometry of the CPS possibly forcing the bend stiffener onto the seabed and possibly sharply bending the CPS and cable). Typically, the bend stiffener elements that are used are manufactured to be straight. However, utilisation of such straight bend stiffener elements may act to direct an end of the bend stiffener element towards a seabed or the like, thus possibly requiring a relatively large degree of bending of the bend stiffener element when the bend stiffener reaches the seabed. Furthermore, using straight bend stiffener elements sometimes requires arranging an aperture in a structure (through which the CPS can pass) higher up than is desired to provide enough clearance between the aperture and the seabed for an acceptable curvature of a CPS (and cable) to occur. This can increase a free-span region in which a CPS is unsupported between the aperture and the seabed. This can also increase a distance between a structure and a touch-down point (a point or region where the CPS touches the seabed). Increasing the height of the aperture can thus increase an unsupported portion of the CPS that might be exposed to environmental forces and can also increase the forces to which the CPS is exposed (as environmental forces are typically smaller closer to the structure). Furthermore, utilising a higher aperture in a structure can increase a CPS projected (and / or a projected area that a CPS can move through responsive to, for example, environmental forces and the like). Utilising a higher aperture (for example to accommodate a straight bend stiffener element) can impart increased loads associated with the CPS. The increased loads may be associated with increased environmental forces imparted on the CPS in the free-span region and might also increase the number of cable displacement cycles per unit of time in the free-span region or the like. The CPS and cable in this region are sometimes prone to movement for example due to environmental considerations such as tides and the like which can sometimes stress the CPS and cable and which can sometimes lead to damage to these components.

[0015] It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate one or more of the above- mentioned problems.

[0016] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to preserve cable and / or CPS life by reducing a free-span region associated with the CPS (and / or cable).

[0017] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to preserve cable and / or CPS life by reducing a free-span region associated with the CPS (and / or cable) by utilising at least one non-straight bend stiffener element (a longitudinal neutral axis of the bend stiffener element being non-straight when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state) in an external region (a regional that is external to a structure). Optionally one or more non-straight bend stiffener elements may be utilised in an internal region (that is inside a structure) and may help determine a curvature of the cable in this internal region.

[0018] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a bend stiffener element that is non-straight in an unloaded state (having a longitudinal neutral axis that is non-straight when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state).

[0019] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a bend stiffener element the helps direct a cable from extending straight towards / into an environmental base such as a seabed. It is an aim of certain embodiment of the present invention to provide a curvature, that optionally is a gentle curvature, of a cable between a structure and an environmental base that is maintained above a minimum bend radius of the cable. This may provide the curvature (and maintain the curvature above the minimum bend radius associated with the cable) while limiting any contact stress between a cable outer serving and a CPS (or bend stiffener element of the CPS). Optionally the curvature is provided without increasing any such contract stress. This may be achieved via utilisation of a bend stiffener element that is non-straight in an unloaded state (a longitudinal neutral axis of which is also non-straight in an unloaded state). Utilisation of a straight bend stiffener element (that is straight in an unloaded state) can impart a load onto / into the cable outer serving at the point of exit of the cable from the straight bend stiffener element (and / or exit point of the CPS). This point of exit may be a localised hotspot and is an area that may be prone to failure (for example cable failure due to stresses imparted on the cable at this hotspot). Utilisation of a non-straight bend stiffener element can help reduce such loads and failures.

[0020] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to maintain a cable, that in use extends through a CPS located through an aperture in a wall of a structure (the cable thus also extending into the structure via the aperture), at, or close to (but above), a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with the cable. This may help reduce a free-span region associated with the CPS (between the structure and the touch-down point) and thus helps locate a region of the CPS that is suspended between the aperture and an environmental base (such as a seabed) to be closer to the structure where environmental forces may be reduced. This also may help reduce a necessary height of an aperture in a wall of a structure, relative to an environmental bed, through which the CPS can pass. Often environmental forces increase with height away from an environmental bed such as a seabed and reducing the height of an aperture in a wall of a structure can reduce a height at which parts of a CPS are located which can help reduce forces experienced by the CPS.

[0021] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to reduce a projected area associated with a CPS by utilising a non-straight external bend stiffener element (that is non- straight in an unloaded state), relative to utilisation of a straight external bend stiffener element (that is straight in a non-loaded state).

[0022] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to reduce a projected area that a CPS can move through, due to external forces experienced by the CPS, by utilising a non- straight external bend stiffener element (that is non-straight in an unloaded state), relative to utilisation of a straight external bend stiffener element (that is straight in a non-loaded state).

[0023] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to reduce an excursion of a CPS by utilising a non-straight external bend stiffener element (that is non-straight in an unloaded state), relative to utilisation of a straight external bend stiffener element (that is straight in a non-loaded state).

[0024] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to reduce abrasion and the like experienced by a cable and / or CPS by utilising a non-straight external bend stiffener element (that is non-straight in an unloaded state), relative to utilisation of a straight external bend stiffener element (that is straight in a non-loaded state).

[0025] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to reduce stresses experienced at a cable exit point of a CPS (or cable exit point of a bend stiffener element of a CPS) by utilising a non-straight external bend stiffener element (that is non-straight in an unloaded state), relative to utilisation of a straight external bend stiffener element (that is straight in a non-loaded state).

[0026] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a combined bend stiffener element that includes a plurality of bend stiffener elements connected in an end-to- end configuration that optionally provides a lock-out radius, that is a minimum band radius that a cable can bend when located in the combined bend stiffener element, the lock-out radius being above a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with the cable.

[0027] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to reduce a free-span region associated with a CPS that is a region in which the CPS is unsupported between the structure and the seabed. This may be by utilising a bend stiffener element that extends through the free-span region that is non-straight (having a longitudinal axis that is non-straight) when in an un-loaded state. Reducing the free-span region associated with the CPS may help reduce environmental forces experienced by the CPS in the free-span region as environmental forces often are reduced closer to a structure relative to at locations more distal to the structure. Reducing the free-span region may also help reduce the total area through which the CPS can be swept due to external forces in use. This can help reduce abrasion or the like on a cable (for example at a region wherein the cable extends out of and exits the CPS) and / or CPS. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to decrease a distance between CPS touch-down point between a structure and a seabed thereby reducing forces incident on a CPS (and cable located through the CPS) at the touch-down point. This may be via utilisation of a non-straight external bend stiffener element of a CPS, the non-straight external bend stiffener element (in an unloaded state) having a longitudinal axis that is non-straight. It will be appreciated that the effective decrease in distance (between the touch-down point and structure) is relative to a touch-down point that would be associated with a straight external bend stiffener element of a CPS.

[0028] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to reduce (and optionally to minimise) a projected area of a CPS that is subjected to wave / current forces. This may be via utilisation of an external non-straight bend stiffener element (that is non-straight in an unloaded state) that is curved to be at (or close to) a minimum acceptable bend radius of a cable that extends through the bend stiffener element. By following (or being close to) a minimum bend radius of the cable via the bend stiffener element (at least in a free-span region), the height of an aperture, in a wall of a structure (through which the CPS and cable can pass), from the seabed can be reduced and optionally may be as low as possible (optionally as close to the seabed as possible). The distance from the touch-down point to the structure might thus be as short as possible, and the free-span length may be reduced (optionally being minimised). This can help reduce (and optionally minimise) the projected CPS area in the direct flow (that is the flow of an environmental liquid) and consequently can help lower the forces within the area when subjected to typical environmental conditions (for example wave & current & amplification factors as the CPS leaves the seabed).

[0029] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a method for locating an elongate flexible member with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure including arranging a support body of a CPS through the aperture and arranging a bend stiffener element (that has a longitudinal axis that is curved when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state) outside of the structure, the bend stiffener element optionally extending from the structure to a seabed in / or which the structure is arranged.

[0030] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a CPS that is self- righting or that can self-orient to a preferred orientation that allows for the suitable deployment of one or more retaining elements during cable installation. It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a non-straight CPS geometry that is maintains an upright orientation when being pulled into a facility during a cable pull in operation.

[0031] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a CPS that is for insertion in an aperture of a facility that is close to the seabed and optionally is a distance of around 3 m from the seabed and optionally is around a distance of 2 m from the seabed and optionally is a distance of 1 m from the seabed and optionally is a distance of 0.5m from the seabed.

[0032] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a CPS that is for insertion in an aperture in a wall of a facility, the aperture extending perpendicular to the wall so that the aperture is not slanted with respect to the wall.

[0033] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a curved (non-straight) rigid support body that is at or above a minimum bend radius of a subsea power cable and that reduces forces on the cable associated with contact between the CPS and the seabed.

[0034] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a cable protection system that can be threaded through an aperture in a foundation of a facility such as a wind turbine and which enables one end of a flexible elongate member (such as a cable or umbilical or the like) to be winched up inside the foundation whilst another end of the flexible elongate member can simultaneously be lowered or held by a lifting / lowering device on a vessel and whereby there is no risk of overbending or of collision with surrounding terrain during an installation (or decommissioning) procedure.

[0035] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a structure that includes an aperture that is located around 3m or less, for example 2.8m or less, or 1 ,8m or less, above a level of an environmental bed, for example the seabed.

[0036] It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a structure that includes an aperture that is located around 5m or less, for example 3m or less, below a level of an environmental bed, for example the seabed.

[0037] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a further end of the support body; and a bend stiffener element securable at the first end; wherein a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element, for at least a portion of a whole length of the bend stiffener element, is curved.

[0038] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element in an unloaded state.

[0039] Aptly a combined through passageway extends through the rigid support body and the bend stiffener element, the combined through passageway comprising said a through passageway and a further through passageway that extends through the bend stiffener element.

[0040] Aptly a flexible elongate member is disposed through the bend stiffener element and the support body along said a through passageway.

[0041] Aptly the apparatus further comprises a further bend stiffener element securable at the further end of the support body.

[0042] Aptly the combined through passageway extends through the further bend stiffener element.

[0043] Aptly the flexible elongate member is disposed through the further bend stiffener element.

[0044] Aptly the first bend stiffener element and further bend stiffener elements are curved for a portion of a whole of their respective lengths and the support body is straight or includes a curved portion that is not straight.

[0045] Aptly the bend stiffener element is secured to the first end and / or the further bend stiffener element is secured to the further end.

[0046] Aptly the bend stiffener element is a first bend stiffener element.

[0047] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the first bend stiffener element and / or further bend stiffener element in an unloaded state. Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the first bend stiffener element and / or further bend stiffener element in a non-loaded state.

[0048] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0049] Aptly a further through passageway that extends from a first end of the tubular body to a further end of the tubular body and through which an elongate flexible member is locatable.

[0050] Aptly the first bend stiffener element and further bend stiffener elements are curved for a portion of a whole of their respective lengths and the support body is straight or includes a curved portion that is not straight.

[0051] Aptly a flexible elongate member is disposed through the first bend stiffener element and the support body along said a through passageway and through the further bend stiffener element.

[0052] Aptly the flexible elongate member comprises a sea cable.

[0053] Aptly the sea cable comprises / is a submarine cable.

[0054] Aptly a combined through passageway extends through the rigid support body, the first bend stiffener element and the further bend stiffener element, the combined through passageway comprising said a through passageway and respective further through passageways that extend through the first bend stiffener element and the further bend stiffener element respectively.

[0055] Aptly a further through passageway that extends from a first end of the tubular body to a further end of the tubular body and through which an elongate flexible member is locatable.

[0056] Aptly the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element comprises an integrally formed tubular body, at least a curved portion of the tubular body extending along the longitudinal axis when the tubular body is in an unloaded state.

[0057] Aptly an imaginary line that extends along the longitudinal axis for a whole length of said at least a curved portion has a radius of curvature of between around 0.5 to 10 metres. Aptly a further imaginary line that extends along a concave surface of said at least a curved portion, along a whole length of said at least a curved portion, has a radius of curvature of between around 0.5 to 10 metres.

[0058] Aptly a still further imaginary line that extends along a convex surface of said at least a curved portion, along a whole length of said at least a curved portion, has a radius of curvature of between around 0.5 to 10 metres.

[0059] Aptly said at least a region of the tubular body is flexible.

[0060] Aptly when the support body is located through an aperture in a wall of a structure and / or when a plurality of retaining elements supported by the support body engage with an inner surface of a wall of a structure, the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element is located outside of the structure.

[0061] Aptly an end of the first bend stiffener element and / or further bend stiffener element is oriented to be substantially parallel to a seabed.

[0062] Aptly the end is a free end.

[0063] Aptly the apparatus comprises a first bend stiffener element (that is the bend stiffener element) secured at the first end and a further bend stiffener element secured at the remaining end.

[0064] Aptly a longitudinal axis of the support body and / or the through passageway and / or the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body and / or the through passageway and / or the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element respectively, is curved.

[0065] Aptly the bend stiffener element, that is non-straight, is disposed outside of a monopile. Aptly the bend stiffener element is curved or falls on a spline (or is defined by a spline function).

[0066] Aptly the bend stiffener element is for inclusion, or is a part of, a CPS.

[0067] Aptly the non-straight bend stiffener falls on an imaginary line that is curved and upon which at least a remaining part of a CPS falls, said an imaginary line that is curved extending from a region that is outside of the structure to a region that is inside the structure, said an imaginary line passing through the aperture.

[0068] Aptly the non-straight bend stiffener element may intrude into the structure via the aperture.

[0069] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing CPS excursion displacement, optionally in a free-span region.

[0070] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing excursion distance from a natural midpoint that optionally is a static equilibrium, for example when there are no current / wave forces acting on the CPS.

[0071] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing CPS and / or cable abrasion due to CPS excursion.

[0072] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing forces imparted on, and / or aberrant bending of, an elongate flexible member due to contact with an environmental bed.

[0073] Aptly, at least by virtue of the bend stiffener element, that is non-straight bend stiffener, a CPS is non-straight.

[0074] Aptly a longitudinal axis of the non-straight bend stiffener, that is the bend stiffener element, (that is a neutral axis of the non-straight bend stiffener in an unloaded state) upon which the bend stiffener extends is non-straight (and is curved or falls on a spline) at least along a portion of the length of the bend stiffener (that is the bend stiffener element).

[0075] Aptly the bend stiffener element is for inclusion in a Cable Protection System (CPS).

[0076] Aptly the bend stiffener element is configured to orient an end of the bend stiffener element to be substantially parallel with an environmental bed.

[0077] Aptly the bend stiffener element is locatable outside of a structure when the support body and / or the CPS is located through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

[0078] Aptly at least a portion of an elongate flexible member is locatable through the bend stiffener element, optionally along the longitudinal axis, a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with the elongate flexible member optionally being the same as, or less than, a radius of curvature associated with at least a portion of the longitudinal axis. Aptly a first imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a first end region of the bend stiffener element and that extends through the first end region, and a further imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal at a remaining end region of the bend stiffener element and that extends through the remaining end region, that each fall on an imaginary plane that contains the longitudinal axis make an angle of between 10 to 60 degrees, the angle optionally being around 45 degrees or around 15 degrees.

[0079] Aptly a still further imaginary line that extends along the longitudinal axis has a radius of curvature of between 0.5 and 10 metres along at least a portion of said a still further imaginary line.

[0080] Aptly the bend stiffener element comprises a progressive stiffener element, a flexibility of the progressive stiffener element being greater at a further end region of the progressive stiffener element than at a first end region of the progressive stiffener element.

[0081] Aptly the bend stiffener element is secured to at least one further bend stiffener element in an end-to-end configuration to provide a combined bend stiffener element.

[0082] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus, comprising: a bend stiffener element, that is a non-straight bend stiffener element, a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element, that is a neutral axis of the bend stiffener element in an unloaded state, being non-straight at least along a portion of a length of the bend stiffener element.

[0083] Aptly the bend stiffener element is connectable to an end of a support body.

[0084] Aptly the bend stiffener element is for inclusion in a Cable Protection System (CPS).

[0085] Aptly the bend stiffener element is configured to orient an end of the bend stiffener element to be substantially parallel with an environmental bed.

[0086] Aptly the bend stiffener element is locatable outside of a structure when the support body and / or the CPS is located through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

[0087] Aptly at least a portion of an elongate flexible member is locatable through the bend stiffener element, optionally along the longitudinal axis, a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with the elongate flexible member optionally being the same as, or less than, a radius of curvature associated with at least a portion of the longitudinal axis.

[0088] Aptly a first imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a first end region of the bend stiffener element and that extends through the first end region, and a further imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal at a remaining end region of the bend stiffener element and that extends through the remaining end region, that each fall on an imaginary plane that contains the longitudinal axis make an angle of between 10 to 60 degrees, the angle optionally being around 45 degrees or around 15 degrees.

[0089] Aptly a still further imaginary line that extends along the longitudinal axis has a radius of curvature of between 0.5 and 10 metres along at least a portion of said a still further imaginary line.

[0090] Aptly the bend stiffener element comprises a progressive stiffener element, a flexibility of the progressive stiffener element being greater at a further end region of the progressive stiffener element than at a first end region of the progressive stiffener element.

[0091] Aptly the bend stiffener element is secured to at least one further bend stiffener element in an end-to-end configuration to provide a combined bend stiffener element.

[0092] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the bend stiffener element and / or further bend stiffener element in an unloaded state.

[0093] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the first bend stiffener element and / or further bend stiffener element in a non-loaded state.

[0094] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0095] Aptly the flexible elongate member comprises a sea cable.

[0096] Aptly the sea cable comprises / is a submarine cable.

[0097] Aptly a further through passageway that extends from a first end of the tubular body to a further end of the tubular body and through which an elongate flexible member is locatable. Aptly the bend stiffener element comprises an integrally formed tubular body, at least a curved portion of the tubular body extending along the longitudinal axis when the tubular body is in an unloaded state.

[0098] Aptly an imaginary line that extends along the longitudinal axis for a whole length of said at least a curved portion has a radius of curvature of between around 0.5 to 10 metres.

[0099] Aptly a further imaginary line that extends along a concave surface of said at least a curved portion, along a whole length of said at least a curved portion, has a radius of curvature of between around 0.5 to 10 metres.

[0100] Aptly a still further imaginary line that extends along a convex surface of said at least a curved portion, along a whole length of said at least a curved portion, has a radius of curvature of between around 0.5 to 10 metres.

[0101] Aptly said at least a region of the tubular body is flexible.

[0102] Aptly when the support body is located through an aperture in a wall of a structure and / or when a plurality of retaining elements supported by the support body engage with an inner surface of a wall of a structure, the bend stiffener element is located outside of the structure.

[0103] Aptly an end of the bend stiffener element is oriented to be substantially parallel to a seabed.

[0104] Aptly the end is a free end.

[0105] Aptly the bend stiffener element, that is non-straight, is disposed outside of a monopile. Aptly the bend stiffener element is curved or falls on a spline (or is defined by a spline function).

[0106] Aptly the bend stiffener element is for inclusion, or is a part of, a CPS.

[0107] Aptly the non-straight bend stiffener falls on an imaginary line that is curved and upon which at least a remaining part of a CPS falls, said an imaginary line that is curved extending from a region that is outside of the structure to a region that is inside the structure, said an imaginary line passing through the aperture. Aptly a curved CPS (that is a CPS that is curved in an unloaded state) includes the nonstraight bend stiffener element along at least a portion of its curve. The non-straight bend stiffener element is optionally disposed outside of (external to) the structure. The curved CPS optionally includes a further non-straight bend stiffener element that optionally is locatable inside of the structure. The curved CPS optionally includes a connector that may be non- straight in a non-loaded state, or that may be a straight, and optionally relatively short at least compared to other support bodies and / or the bend stiffener element (therefore optionally not disrupting the general curve of the curved CPS). Optionally the curved CPS includes a centraliser section that is non-straight in a non-loaded state. Optionally the centraliser section is made from two split bodies (for example split halves) that are bolted together. Optionally the cured CPS includes a split bend stiffener element and / or a split centraliser. Optionally the centraliser and / or support body is located between the bend stiffener element and the further bend stiffener element.

[0108] Aptly the non-straight bend stiffener element may intrude into the structure via the aperture.

[0109] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing CPS excursion displacement, optionally in a free-span region.

[0110] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing excursion distance from a natural midpoint that optionally is a static equilibrium, for example when there are no current / wave forces acting on the CPS.

[0111] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing CPS and / or cable abrasion due to CPS excursion.

[0112] Aptly the apparatus is for reducing forces imparted on, and / or aberrant bending of, an elongate flexible member due to contact with an environmental bed.

[0113] Aptly, at least by virtue of the bend stiffener element, that is non-straight bend stiffener, a CPS is non-straight.

[0114] Aptly a longitudinal axis of the non-straight bend stiffener, that is the bend stiffener element, (that is a neutral axis of the non-straight bend stiffener in an unloaded state) upon which the bend stiffener extends is non-straight (and is curved or falls on a spline) at least along a portion of the length of the bend stiffener (that is the bend stiffener element). According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a Cable Protection System (CPS) comprising a support body and a bend stiffener element, that is a non-straight bend stiffener element, secured to an end of the support body, a longitudinal neutral axis of the bend stiffener element in an unloaded state being non-straight along at least a portion of a length of the bend stiffener element; and locating the support body of the CPS at least partially through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating the non-straight bend stiffener element outside of the structure.

[0115] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure; comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved.

[0116] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0117] Aptly the longitudinal axis of the through passageway is a longitudinal central axis of the through passageway.

[0118] Aptly the longitudinal axis, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is non-straight.

[0119] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state.

[0120] Aptly the longitudinal axis is an axis that extends along said at least a portion, and that falls on a centre point of an elliptical cross section, that optionally is a circular cross section, of the through passageway at each location along said at least a portion.

[0121] Aptly said at least a portion is from 100% to 80% of the whole length of the through passageway, or is a central region of the whole length that extends from 70% to 20% of the whole length of the through passageway, or is a region that extends from an end of the support body for from 95% to 30% of the whole length of the through passageway. Aptly said at least a portion is from 100% to 30% of the whole length of the through passageway.

[0122] Aptly said at least a portion is a central region of the whole length that extends from 80% to 20% of the whole length of the passageway.

[0123] Aptly all points on the longitudinal axis along said at least a portion fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola or a spline function or a spline.

[0124] Aptly the through passageway has a constant cross section along said at least a portion.

[0125] Aptly the constant cross section is elliptical in shape.

[0126] Aptly the elliptical shape is a circle and the through passageway has a constant circular cross section.

[0127] Aptly the through passageway has a varying cross section along said at least a portion and optionally the varying cross section is elliptical along all of said at least a portion.

[0128] Aptly the through passageway has a circular cross section with a varying diameter along said at least a portion, said varying diameter comprising at least one stepped variation at least one location or a slowly varying diameter.

[0129] Aptly the support body comprises a body that has a centre of gravity on a first side of the longitudinal axis and optionally the curve of the longitudinal axis is a concave upward plane curve open in a direction facing away from the first side.

[0130] Aptly the support body comprises at least one recessed region or hollow region at a location on a remaining side of the longitudinal axis.

[0131] Aptly the support body comprises at least one enhanced density region, that comprises a region of the support body having a density greater than an average density of a remaining region of the support body, and said enhanced density region is disposed on the first side of the longitudinal axis and at a lateral position along the axis, optionally being located below said concave upward plane curve. Aptly the enhanced density region is located on a convex side of said concave upward plane curve.

[0132] Aptly along said at least a portion, the longitudinal axis, where the axis is curved, has a central angle that is from 120° to 10and optionally from 30° to 1 °.

[0133] Aptly a radius of curvature of said at least a portion is greater than 0.5m, optionally being greater than 2m, optionally being greater than 5m, optionally being greater than 10m.

[0134] Aptly along said at least a portion, the longitudinal axis is curved in a plane curve and respective termination positions, each corresponding to a respective point where, in a plan view of an imaginary plane that contains the plane curve, an end of the rigid support body intersects the longitudinal axis, subtend an angle of from 1° to 90°, optionally from 1° to 60°, at a centre of an imaginary circle that contains the plane curve.

[0135] Aptly the support body is for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, wherein the structure is a facility.

[0136] Aptly the support body is for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, wherein the structure is a wind turbine and the wall comprises a wall of a wind turbine monopile and the flexible member comprises a flexible pipe or cable or umbilical.

[0137] Aptly the support body comprises a plurality of body parts secured together or is an integrally formed body formed from a rigid material.

[0138] Aptly at least one wall engaging element supported on the support body that is selectively locatable between a deployed state and a non-deployed state to thereby permit at least a portion of the rigid support body to be moved through an aperture, in a wall of a structure, in a first direction but not moved through the aperture in a further direction opposite to the first direction.

[0139] Aptly the at least one wall engaging element comprises a plurality of wall engaging elements that optionally are disposed at opposed sides of or circumferentially around the support body. Aptly each wall engaging element is a biased latch or swivable arm.

[0140] Aptly the wall engaging element is a retaining element for retaining the support at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

[0141] Aptly a longitudinal neutral axis of the rigid support body in an unloaded state is substantially parallel with, but spaced apart from, the longitudinal axis.

[0142] Aptly the apparatus further comprises a radially inner surface of the support body that extends around the through passageway, wherein the longitudinal axis falls on a centre point of the inner surface cross section at each location of the inner surface that extends around said at least a portion.

[0143] Aptly the radially inner surface of the support body that extends around the through passageway is substantially elliptical in cross section.

[0144] Aptly the radially inner surface of the support body that extends around the through passageway is substantially circular.

[0145] Aptly the centre point of said cross section of the through passageway and / or the centre point of said inner surface cross section is a point at which the respective semi-major axis and semiminor axis intersect.

[0146] Aptly at least a portion of a radially outer surface of the support body extends along the longitudinal axis.

[0147] Aptly at least a portion the radially outer surface of the support body curves along at least a portion of a length of the support body.

[0148] Aptly at least a portion the radially outer surface of the support body curves along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis.

[0149] Aptly a longitudinal neutral axis of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis at a corresponding portion of the support body. Aptly the longitudinal neutral axis is straight along the whole length of the support body.

[0150] Aptly the longitudinal neutral axis is an axis around which an outer surface of the support body extends.

[0151] Aptly the apparatus further comprises an elongate flexible member, that optionally is a cable or a hose or a pipe or a tube or an umbilical, that is locatable at least partly through the through passageway.

[0152] Aptly the longitudinal axis at said at least a portion is a portion of a major axis of an imaginary toroid, said major axis extending around the axis of symmetry of said toroid, an outer surface of the support body optionally substantially extending along said toroid.

[0153] Aptly the whole length of the through passageway extends between the first end of the support body and a remaining end of the support body.

[0154] Aptly a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of the support body, is offset from a first imaginary line that extends between respective radial centre points of respective ends of the support body or the combined support body.

[0155] Aptly a length of a further imaginary line that extends between the centre of gravity and the first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to the first imaginary line, determines a restoring moment associated with the support body or the combined support body when the elongate element is suspended via the respective ends of the support body or combined support body.

[0156] Aptly the combined support body comprises a first bend stiffener element secured to the first end of the support body and a further bend stiffener element secured to the remaining end of the support body.

[0157] Aptly the apparatus is, or is part of, Cable Protection System for locating an elongate flexible element at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a structure.

[0158] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure; comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved.

[0159] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0160] Aptly the longitudinal axis of the support body is a longitudinal central axis of the support body.

[0161] Aptly the longitudinal axis, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is non-straight.

[0162] Aptly the longitudinal axis is an axis that extends along said at least a portion, and that falls on a centre point of an elliptical cross section, that optionally is a circular cross section, of the support body at each location along said at least a portion.

[0163] Aptly said at least a portion is from 100% to 80% of the whole length of the support body or is a central region of the whole length that extends from 70% to 20% of the whole length of the support body or is a region that extends from an end of the support body for from 95% to 30% of the whole length of the support body.

[0164] Aptly said at least a portion is from 100% to 30% of the whole length of the support body.

[0165] Aptly said at least a portion is a central region of the whole length that extends from 80% to 20% of the whole length of the support body.

[0166] Aptly all points on the longitudinal axis along said a portion fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola or a spline or a spline function.

[0167] Aptly the support body has a constant cross section along said at least a portion.

[0168] Aptly the constant cross section is elliptical in shape.

[0169] Aptly the elliptical shape is a circle, and the support body has a constant circular cross section.

[0170] Aptly the support body has a varying cross section along said at least a portion, and optionally the varying cross section is elliptical along all of said at least a portion. Aptly the support body has a circular cross section with a varying diameter along said at least a portion, said varying diameter comprising at least one stepped variation or a slowly varying diameter.

[0171] Aptly the support body comprises at least one dished-out surface region on an outer surface of the support body, the cross section of the support body being narrower along a portion of the support body comprising the dished out-surface region relative to a remaining portion of the support body.

[0172] Aptly the support body comprises a body that has a centre of gravity on a first side of the longitudinal axis and optionally a curve of the longitudinal axis is a concave upward plane curve open in a direction facing away from the first side.

[0173] Aptly the support body comprises at least one recessed region or hollow region at a location on a remaining side of the longitudinal axis.

[0174] Aptly the support body comprises at least one enhanced density region, that comprises a region of the support body having a density greater than an average density of a remaining region of the support body, and said enhanced density region is disposed on the first side of the longitudinal axis and located at a lateral position along the axis, optionally being located below said concave upward plane curve.

[0175] Aptly the enhanced density region is located on a convex side of said concave upward plane curve.

[0176] Aptly along said at least a portion, the longitudinal axis, where the axis is curved, has a central angle that is from 120° to 1° and optionally from 30° to 1°.

[0177] Aptly a radius of curvature of said at least a portion is greater than 0.5m, optionally being greater than 2m, optionally being greater than 5m, optionally being greater than 10m.

[0178] Aptly along said at least a portion, the longitudinal axis is curved in a plane curve and respective termination positions, each corresponding to a respective point where, in a plan view of an imaginary plane that contains the plane curve, an end of the support body intersects the longitudinal axis, subtend an angle of from 1° to 90°, optionally from 1° to 60°, at a centre of an imaginary circle that contains the plane curve.

[0179] Aptly the support body is for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, wherein the structure is a facility.

[0180] Aptly the support body is for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, wherein the structure is a wind turbine and the wall comprises a wall of a wind turbine monopile and the flexible member comprises a flexible pipe or cable or umbilical or hose or tube.

[0181] Aptly the support body comprises a plurality of body parts secured together or is an integrally formed body formed from a rigid material.

[0182] Aptly at least one wall engaging element supported on the support body that is selectively locatable between a deployed state and a non-deployed state to thereby permit at least a portion of the support body to be moved through an aperture, in a wall of a structure, in a first direction but not moved through the aperture in a further direction opposite to the first direction.

[0183] Aptly the at least one wall engaging element comprises a plurality of wall engaging elements that optionally are disposed at opposed sides of or circumferentially around the support body.

[0184] Aptly each wall engaging element is a biased latch or swivable arm.

[0185] Aptly the wall engaging element is a retaining element for retaining the support at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

[0186] Aptly the apparatus further comprises a radially inner surface of the support body that extends around the through passageway, wherein the longitudinal axis falls on a centre point of the inner surface cross section at each location of the inner surface that extends around said at least a portion.

[0187] Aptly the radially inner surface is elliptical in cross section.

[0188] Aptly the radially inner surface is circular in cross section, Aptly the centre point of said cross section of the support body and / or the centre point of said inner surface cross section is a point at which the respective semi-major axis and semi-minor axis intersect.

[0189] Aptly a radially outer surface of the support body extends along the longitudinal axis.

[0190] Aptly at least a portion the radially outer surface of the support body curves along at least a portion of a length of the support body.

[0191] Aptly at least a portion the radially outer surface of the support body curves along a corresponding portion of the longitudinal axis.

[0192] Aptly an axis, that optionally is a central axis, of the through passageway extends along the longitudinal axis or is substantially parallel with, but offset from, the longitudinal axis.

[0193] Aptly at least a portion of the through passageway curves along said at least a portion.

[0194] Aptly at least a portion the through passageway curves along the longitudinal axis.

[0195] Aptly a central axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the rigid support body, is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis along a corresponding portion of the support body.

[0196] Aptly the axis of the through passageway is straight along the whole length of the support body.

[0197] Aptly the longitudinal axis is an axis around which an outer surface of the support body extends.

[0198] Aptly an elongate flexible member, that optionally is a cable or a hose or a pipe or an umbilical, that is locatable at least partly through the through passageway.

[0199] Aptly the longitudinal axis at said a portion is a portion of a major axis of an imaginary toroid, said major axis extending around the axis of symmetry of said toroid, an outer surface of the support body optionally substantially extending along said toroid. Aptly the support body has an outer surface comprising a generally cylindrical outer surface region, the outer surface region extending on an outer surface of an imaginary bent pipe that has an outer surface of generally circular cross-section with centre points of each circle of the circular cross-section along at least a portion of a whole length of the imaginary bent pipe falling on a curve.

[0200] Aptly the generally cylindrical outer surface region is bent cylindrical surface region.

[0201] Aptly all points along said a curve fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola or spine or spline function.

[0202] Aptly the whole length of the through passageway extends between the first end of the support body and a remaining end of the support body.

[0203] Aptly a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of the support body, is offset from a first imaginary line that extends between respective radial centre points of respective ends of the support body or the combined support body.

[0204] Aptly a length of a further imaginary line that extends between the centre of gravity and the first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to the first imaginary line, determines a restoring moment associated with the support body or the combined support body when the elongate element is suspended via the respective ends of the support body or combined support body.

[0205] Aptly the combined support body comprises a first bend stiffener element secured to the first end of the support body and a further vend stiffener element secured to the remaining end of the support body.

[0206] Aptly the apparatus is, or is part of, Cable Protection System for locating an elongate flexible element at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a structure.

[0207] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a Cable Protection System for locating an elongate flexible element at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved.

[0208] Aptly the Cable Protection System is for deploying a cable through an aperture of a structure that optionally is an offshore structure.

[0209] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a Cable Protection System for locating an elongate flexible element at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved.

[0210] Aptly the Cable Protection System is for deploying a cable through an aperture of a structure that optionally is an offshore structure.

[0211] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body, that comprises a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the rigid support body to a further end of the support body, at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure; and prior to and / or during providing the support body at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure, providing a rotational restoring force on the support body thereby arranging the support body in a desired orientation.

[0212] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0213] Aptly providing the restoring force on the support body comprises, via moment arm provided by a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of support body, that is offset from a first imaginary line extending between respective radial centre points of respective opposed ends of the support body or combined support body, urging the support body to at least partly rotate about said first imaginary line. Aptly the moment arm is a length of a further imaginary line that extends between said centre of gravity of the support body, or combined support body, and said first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to said first imaginary line.

[0214] Aptly the method further comprises, via at least one retaining element supported on the support body, retaining the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0215] Aptly the method further comprises urging the at least one retaining element against an inner surface region of the wall to thereby retain the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0216] According to a nineth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved, at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure; and prior to and / or during providing the support body at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure, providing a rotational restoring force on the support body thereby arranging the support body in a desired orientation.

[0217] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0218] Aptly providing the restoring force on the support body comprises, via moment arm provided by a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of the support body, that is offset from a first imaginary line extending between respective radial centre points of respective opposed ends of the support body or combined support body, urging the support body to at least partly rotate about said first imaginary line.

[0219] Aptly the moment arm is a length of a further imaginary line that extends between said centre of gravity of the support body, or combined support body, and said first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to said first imaginary line. Aptly the method further comprises the steps of, via at least one retaining element supported on the support body, retaining the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0220] Aptly the method further comprises the steps of urging the at least one retaining element against an inner surface region of the wall to thereby retain the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0221] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved, at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure; and prior to and / or during providing the support body at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure, providing a rotational restoring force on the support body thereby arranging the support body in a desired orientation.

[0222] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0223] Aptly providing the restoring force on the support body comprises, via moment arm provided by a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of the support body, that is offset from a first imaginary line extending between respective radial centre points of respective opposed ends of the support body or combined support body, urging the support body to at least partly rotate about said first imaginary line.

[0224] Aptly the moment arm is a length of a further imaginary line that extends between said centre of gravity of the support body, or combined support body, and said first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to said first imaginary line.

[0225] Aptly the method further comprises the steps of, via at least one retaining element supported on the support body, retaining the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture. Aptly the method further comprises the steps of urging the at least one retaining element against an inner surface region of the wall to thereby retain the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0226] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved; locating the support body through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating a first end region of the support body within the structure and simultaneously locating a further end region of the support body outside of the structure; whereby a first portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the first end region is oblique with respect to a further portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the further end region.

[0227] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0228] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal central axis.

[0229] Aptly the method further comprises the steps of providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby an angle between said first portion and said further portion, is in a range from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.

[0230] Aptly the method comprises the steps of providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby the angle is between 90 degrees 170 degrees.

[0231] Aptly the method further comprises providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby an entry angle and an exit angle of the support body is between 90 and 180 degrees and / or an angle between a direction of entry and a direction of exit of the support body is between 90 and 180 degrees.

[0232] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved; locating the support body through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating a first end region of the support body within the structure and simultaneously locating a further end region of the support body outside of the structure; whereby a first portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the first end region is oblique with respect to a further portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the further end region.

[0233] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0234] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal central axis.

[0235] Aptly the method further comprises the steps of providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby an angle between said first portion and said further portion, is in a range from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.

[0236] Aptly the method comprises the steps of providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby the angle is between 90 degrees 170 degrees.

[0237] Aptly the method further comprises providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby an entry angle and an exit angle of the support body is between 90 and 180 degrees and / or an angle between a direction of entry and a direction of exit of the support body is between 90 and 180 degrees.

[0238] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a Cable Protection System for deploying a cable through an aperture of an offshore structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved; wherein the support body is located through an aperture in a wall of a structure, a first portion of the longitudinal axis at a first end region of the support body, that is disposed within the structure, being oblique with respect to a further portion of the longitudinal axis at a further end of the support body, that is disposed outside of the structure.

[0239] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body. Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal central axis.

[0240] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a Cable Protection System for deploying a cable through an aperture of an offshore structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved; wherein the support body is located through an aperture in a wall of a structure, a first portion of the longitudinal axis at a first end region of the support body, that is disposed within the structure, being oblique with respect to a further portion of the longitudinal axis at a further end of the support body, that is disposed outside of the structure.

[0241] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0242] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal central axis.

[0243] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure; comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, falls on a spline or is defined by a spline function.

[0244] Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0245] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal central axis.

[0246] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure; comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, falls on a spline or is defined by a spline function. Aptly the support body is a rigid support body.

[0247] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal central axis.

[0248] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a facility, comprising: a rigid support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal central axis of the through passageway for a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved.

[0249] Aptly, the longitudinal central axis is a neutral axis of the rigid support body in an unloaded state.

[0250] Aptly, the longitudinal central axis is an axis that extends along said a portion and that falls on a centre of an elliptical cross section of the passageway at each location along said a portion.

[0251] Aptly, said a portion is from 100% to 80% of the whole length or is a central region of the whole length that extends from 70% to 20% of the whole length or is a region that extends from an end of the support body for from 95% to 30% of the whole length.

[0252] Aptly, all points on the longitudinal central axis along said a portion fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola.

[0253] Aptly, the through bore has a constant cross section along said a portion and optionally the constant cross section is elliptical in shape.

[0254] Aptly, the elliptical shape is a circle and the through bore has a constant circular cross section.

[0255] Aptly, the through bore has a varying cross section along said a portion and optionally the varying cross section is elliptical along all of said a portion.

[0256] Aptly, the through bore has a circular cross section with a varying diameter along said a portion, said varying diameter comprising a stepped variation at least one location or a slowly varying diameter. Aptly, the rigid support body comprises a body that has a centre of gravity on a first side of the longitudinal central axis and optionally the curve is a concave upward plane curve open in a direction facing away from the first side.

[0257] Aptly, the rigid support body comprises at least one recessed region or hollow region at a location on a remaining side of the longitudinal central axis.

[0258] Aptly, the rigid support body comprises at least one enhanced density region, that comprises a region of the support body having a density greater than an average density of a remaining region of the rigid support body, and said enhanced density region is disposed at a location below and on the first side of the longitudinal central axis at a lateral position along the axis where the enhanced density region is located.

[0259] Aptly, along said a portion, the longitudinal central axis, where the axis is curved, has a central angle that is from 120° to 1° and optionally from 30° to 1°.

[0260] Aptly, along said a portion, the longitudinal central axis is curved in a plane curve and respective termination positions, each corresponding to a respective point where, in a plan view of an imaginary plane that contains the plane curve, an end of the rigid support body intersects the longitudinal central axis, subtend an angle of from 1° to 60° at a centre of an imaginary circle that contains the plane curve.

[0261] Aptly, the facility is a wind turbine and the wall comprises a wall of a wind turbine monopile and the flexible member comprises a flexible pipe or cable or umbilical.

[0262] Aptly, the rigid support body comprises a plurality of body parts secured together or is an integrally formed body formed from a rigid material.

[0263] Aptly, the rigid support body is an elongate body that is at least partially locatable through an aperture in a wall element of a facility.

[0264] Aptly, the apparatus further comprises at least one wall engaging element supported on the rigid support body that is selectively locatable between a deployed state and a non-deployed state to thereby permit at least a portion of the rigid support body to be moved through the aperture in a first direction but not moved through the aperture in a further direction opposite to the first direction. Aptly, the at least one wall engaging element comprises a plurality of wall engaging elements that optionally are disposed at opposed sides of or circumferentially around the rigid support body.

[0265] Aptly, each wall engaging element is a biased latch or swivable arm.

[0266] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a facility, comprising: a rigid support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein the rigid support body has an outer surface comprising a cylindrical outer all positions on the outer surface region falling on an outer surface of an imaginary bent pipe that has an outer surface of circular cross-section with centre points of each circle of the circular cross-section along a portion of a whole length of the imaginary bent pipe falling on a curve.

[0267] Aptly, said a cylindrical surface is a bent cylindrical surface.

[0268] Aptly, all points along said a curve fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola.

[0269] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate element through an aperture of an offshore structure, comprising: elongate rigid support body that at least party forms an elongate element, that is locatable at least partly through an aperture of an offshore structure, and comprises an inner passageway, through which a further elongate element is locatable, that extends from a first open end at a first end region of the rigid support body to a further open end at a further end region of the rigid support body; wherein a first imaginary plane, that intersects the first end region and upon which a cross section of a first inner surface portion of the rigid support body that surrounds a cross section of the inner passageway at the first end region is wholly contained, is oblique with respect to a further imaginary plane that intersects the further end region and upon which a cross section of a further inner surface portion of the rigid support body that surrounds a cross section of the inner passageway at the first end region is wholly contained.

[0270] According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention there is provided a cable protection system for deploying a cable through an aperture of an offshore structure, comprising: a rigid support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal central axis of the through passageway for a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved.

[0271] Aptly, the cable protection system further comprises: a first bend stiffener securable to a first end of the rigid support body and a further bend stiffener element securable to a remaining end of the rigid support body.

[0272] According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cable protection system for deploying a cable through an aperture of an offshore structure, comprising: a rigid support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein the rigid support body has an outer surface comprising a cylindrical outer all positions on the outer surface region falling on an outer surface of an imaginary bent pipe that has an outer surface of circular cross-section with centre points of each circle of the circular cross-section along a portion of a whole length of the imaginary bent pipe falling on a curve.

[0273] Aptly, the cable protection system further comprises: a first bend stiffener securable to a first end of the rigid support body and a further bend stiffener element securable to a remaining end of the rigid support body.

[0274] According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention there is provided a cable protection system for deploying a cable through an aperture of an offshore structure, comprising: an elongate rigid support body that at least party forms an elongate element, that is locatable at least partly through an aperture of an offshore structure, and comprises an inner passageway, through which a further elongate element is locatable, that extends from a first open end at a first end region of the rigid support body to a further open end at a further end region of the rigid support body; wherein a first imaginary plane, that intersects the first end region and upon which a cross section of a first inner surface portion of the rigid support body that surrounds a cross section of the inner passageway at the first end region is wholly contained, is oblique with respect to a further imaginary plane that intersects the further end region and upon which a cross section of a further inner surface portion of the rigid support body that surrounds a cross section of the inner passageway at the first end region is wholly contained. Aptly, the cable protection system further comprises: a first bend stiffener securable to a first end of the rigid support body and a further bend stiffener element securable to a remaining end of the rigid support body.

[0275] According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention there is provided a foundation for an offshore wind farm with at least one sea cable feedthrough, the sea cable feedthrough being provided at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 1 .5m over the seabed.

[0276] Aptly, the sea cable feedthrough is designed for inserting a sea cable that comprises an elongate flexible member, under an angle alpha of about 90° to the foundation.

[0277] Aptly, in the foundation an aperture comprising an oval or oval shaped wall breakthrough is provided for feeding through a sea cable.

[0278] Aptly, a bent round pipe is secured in the wall breakthrough.

[0279] Aptly, the bent round pipe comprises a rigid support body that is non-straight and that includes a portion that is curved.

[0280] Aptly, a bent pipe comprising a rigid support body in the aperture comprises at least one latching means on the inside of the foundation.

[0281] Aptly, the foundation is a monopile foundation or is a tripod foundation or is a tripile foundation for a wind turbine.

[0282] According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall facility, comprising the steps of: urging a rigid support body comprising a through passageway along which an elongate flexible member is disposed, and that has a longitudinal axis for a portion of a whole length of the passageway that is curved, at least partially through an aperture in a wall of a facility.

[0283] Aptly the method further comprises, as the rigid support body is urged through the aperture, locating a first neutral axis associated with a first bent stiffener element at an inside region of the facility at a first angle with respect to an imaginary through axis passing through the aperture and orthogonal to a wall surface of the wall; and simultaneously locating a further neutral axis associated with a further bent stiffener element at an outside region of the facility at a further angle with respect to the imaginary through axis where the first angle is greater than the further angle.

[0284] Aptly first angle is from 90° to 30° and the further angle is from 30° to 1° and optionally 70° to 30° and 20° to 1°.

[0285] Aptly the method further comprises preventing a further bend stiffener element secured to an outside end of the rigid support body from touching surrounding terrain outside the facility as the rigid support body is urged through the aperture by threading the rigid support body through the aperture at a selected angle whereby a curve of the rigid support body determines a trajectory of motion of the further bend stiffener away from the terrain.

[0286] Aptly the first neutral axis and the further neutral axis are respective axis of end regions of respective bent stiffeners proximate to the rigid support body.

[0287] Aptly the method further comprises securing a first bent stiffener element at a first end of a rigid support body; and securing a further bent stiffener element at a remaining end of the rigid support body; whereby both the first and further end stiffeners are secured to the rigid support body prior to urging the rigid support body through said an aperture.

[0288] According to twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure; comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; a first bend stiffener element secured at the first end: and a further bend stiffener element secured at the remaining end: wherein a longitudinal axis of the support body and / or the through passageway and / or the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element , for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body and / or the through passageway and / or the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element respectively, is curved. Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the support body and / or the through passageway and / or the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element respectively in an unloaded state.

[0289] Aptly the first and further bend stiffener elements are curved for a portion of a whole of their respective lengths and the rigid support body is straight or includes a curved portion that is not straight.

[0290] Aptly a flexible elongate member that optionally comprises a sea cable, is disposed through the first bend stiffener element and the rigid support body along the through passageway and through the further bend stiffener element.

[0291] Aptly at least one bend stiffener element is a securing bend stiffener element and comprises a plurality of finger-like splines disposed circumferentially around a circumference of the securing bend stiffener element.

[0292] Aptly each spline behaves in a similar manner and can be squashed into respective cavities disposed at each side (circumferentially) to a spline.

[0293] Aptly the splines are locatable into a 45 degree hole / aperture to react any external tension load on multiple splines.

[0294] According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a foundation for an offshore wind farm with at least one sea cable feedthrough, the sea cable feedthrough being provided at a height h within a range of about 3m below to about 2.8m over the seabed.

[0295] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided at a height within a range of about 3m below to about 1 .8m over the seabed.

[0296] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 1 ,5m over the seabed.

[0297] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 2.5m below the seabed.

[0298] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided at a height h within a range of about 0.5m above to about 0.5m below the seabed. Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided for inserting a sea cable, that comprises an elongate flexible member, at an angle alpha within a range of about 75° to about 90° to a primary foundation axis of the foundation.

[0299] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided for inserting a sea cable, that comprises an elongate flexible member, at an angle alpha about 90° to a central foundation axis of the foundation.

[0300] Aptly the foundation further comprises, in a wall of the foundation, an aperture, comprising an oval or oval shaped wall breakthrough, is provided for feeding through a sea cable.

[0301] Aptly the oval or oval shaped wall breakthrough is an aperture comprising a through hole in a wall of the foundation and is oval or oval shaped in a side elevation view of the foundation from a point vertically level with and facing straight at a centre of the aperture.

[0302] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough has a centre disposed in an imaginary curved cylindrical surface containing a major portion of an outer surface of a wall of the foundation and said a height h is a distance between said a centre and a level of a seabed region proximate to a base region of the foundation.

[0303] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is an aperture that is oval and said a centre comprises a midpoint between foci of the oval or the aperture is circular and said a centre comprises a centre of the circle.

[0304] Aptly the foundation further comprises a bent round pipe is secured in the wall breakthrough.

[0305] Aptly the foundation further comprises a rigid support body that comprises a bent round pipe portion and that supports a flexible elongate member passing through a through passageway in the rigid support body is secured in the wall breakthrough.

[0306] Aptly the bent round pipe comprises a rigid support body that is non-straight and that includes a portion that is curved. Aptly the foundation further comprises a bent pipe comprising a rigid support body, disposed in the sea cable feedthrough that comprises an aperture, comprises at least one latching means inside of the foundation.

[0307] Aptly the latching means comprises at least one retaining element.

[0308] Aptly the foundation further comprises a rigid support body comprising a curved portion, disposed in the sea cable feedthrough that comprises an aperture, comprises at least one swivellable securing element.

[0309] Aptly the foundation is a foundation for a wind turbine of an offshore windfarm and is a monopile foundation or is a tripod foundation or is a tripile foundation or is a gravity foundation or is a jacket foundation for a wind turbine.

[0310] According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating a sea cable at a desired location with respect to a sea cable feedthrough of a foundation for an offshore windfarm, comprising the steps of: urging a rigid support body comprising a through passageway along which a sea cable is disposed, at least partially through a sea cable feedthrough provided at a height h within a range of about 3m below to about 2.8m over the seabed.

[0311] Aptly the height is a height h within a range of about 3m below to about 1 .8m over the seabed.

[0312] Aptly the method further comprises urging the sea cable in the rigid support body through the sea cable feedthrough at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 1.5m over the seabed or at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 2.5m below the seabed or at a height h within a range of about 0.5m above to about 0.5m below the seabed.

[0313] Aptly the method further comprises inserting sea cable disposed in the rigid support body through the cable feedthrough at an angle alpha of within a range of about 75° to about 90° to the foundation.

[0314] Aptly the method further comprises, as the rigid support body is urged through an aperture in a wall of the foundation that comprises the sea cable feedthrough, locating a first neutral axis associated with a first bent stiffener element at an inside region of the foundation at a first angle with respect to an imaginary through axis passing through the aperture and orthogonal to a wall surface of a wall of the foundation; and simultaneously locating a further neutral axis associated with a further bent stiffener element at an outside region of the foundation at a further angle with respect to the imaginary through axis where the first angle is greater than the further angle and optionally the first angle is from 90° to 30° and the further angle is from 30° to 1°.

[0315] According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a further end of the support body, a first bend stiffener element secured at the first end, and further bend stiffener element secured at the further end wherein a longitudinal axis of the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element, for at least a portion of a whole length of the first bend stiffener element and / or the further bend stiffener element, is curved; and locating the support body through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating a first end region of the support body to which the first bend stiffener element is connected within the structure and simultaneously locating a further end region, to which the further bend stiffener element is connected, of the support body outside of the structure.

[0316] Aptly the method further comprises orienting an end of the further bend stiffener element to be substantially parallel with a seabed.

[0317] Aptly the method further comprises orienting an end of the further bend stiffener element more away from the structure relative to an arrangement including a straight first bend stiffener element and / or a straight further bend stiffener element.

[0318] Aptly the end is a free end.

[0319] Aptly the method further comprises locating an elongate flexible member through said a through passageway.

[0320] Aptly the method further comprises locating an elongate flexible member through said a combined through passageway, that comprises said a through passageway, that extends through the first bend stiffener element, support body and the further bend stiffener element. According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing a free-span region, and / or a lateral / excursion displacement, associated with an elongate flexible member, comprising the steps of: providing a Cable Protection System (CPS) comprising a support body and a non-straight bend stiffener element secured to an end of the support body, a longitudinal neutral axis of the non-straight bend stiffener element in an unloaded state being non-straight along at least a portion of a length of the non-straight bend stiffener element; and locating the CPS at least partially through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating the non-straight bend stiffener element outside of the structure.

[0321] Aptly the method is for reducing motion of a cable and / or CPS and / or bend stiffener element at or proximate to a touch-down point (that is a region of contact between the CPS and / or bend stiffener and an environmental base).

[0322] Aptly the method is for reducing abrasion of a cable and / or CPS due to contact with an environmental bed.

[0323] Aptly the method further comprises, via locating the CPS at least partially through an aperture, locating the support body at least partially through the aperture.

[0324] Aptly locating the CPS at least partially through an aperture comprises locating the support body at least partially through the aperture.

[0325] Aptly the method further comprises orienting an end region of the non-straight bend stiffener element, that is distal to the support body relative to a remaining end region of the non-straight bend stiffener that is secured to the support body, to extend away from the structure at an angle that oblique with respect to a longitudinal neutral axis of the support body.

[0326] Aptly the method further comprises orienting an end of the non-straight bend stiffener element to be substantially parallel with an environmental base.

[0327] Aptly the method further comprises locating an elongate flexible member through a through passageway that extends wholly through the CPS.

[0328] According to a twenty-nineth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing forces imparted on, and aberrant bending of, an elongate flexible member due to contact with an environmental base, comprising the steps of: providing a Cable Protection System (CPS) comprising a support body and a non-straight bend stiffener element secured to an end of the support body, a longitudinal neutral axis of the non-straight bend stiffener element in an unloaded state being non-straight along at least a portion of a length of the non- straight bend stiffener element; and locating the CPS at least partially through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating the non-straight bend stiffener element outside of the structure.

[0329] Aptly the method further comprises, via locating the CPS at least partially through an aperture, locating the support body at least partially through the aperture.

[0330] Aptly locating the CPS at least partially through an aperture comprises locating the support body at least partially through the aperture.

[0331] Aptly the method further comprises orienting an end region of the non-straight bend stiffener element, that is distal to the support body relative to a remaining end region of the non-straight bend stiffener that is secured to the support body, to extend away from the structure at an angle that oblique with respect to a longitudinal neutral axis of the support body.

[0332] Aptly the method further comprises orienting an end of the non-straight bend stiffener element to be substantially parallel with an environmental base.

[0333] Aptly the method further comprises locating an elongate flexible member through a through passageway that extends wholly through the CPS.

[0334] According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a bend stiffener element, comprising the steps of: providing a curable material into a tubular cavity of a mould, the cavity having a longitudinal axis that is non-straight along at least a portion of a length of the cavity; and curing the curable material to provide a bend stiffener element having a longitudinal neutral axis that, when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state, is non-straight.

[0335] According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a bend stiffener element, comprising the steps of: providing a precursor body comprising curable material around a support member, the support member having a longitudinal axis that is non-straight along at least a portion of a length of the support member; and curing the curable material to provide a bend stiffener element having a longitudinal neutral axis that, when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state, is non-straight.

[0336] According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a combined bend stiffener element, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of bend stiffener elements, a longitudinal neutral axis of each bend stiffener element being non-straight when the respective bend stiffener elements are in a non-loaded state; and securing the plurality of bend stiffener elements together in an end-to-end configuration thereby providing a combined bend stiffener element, a longitudinal neutral axis of the combined bend stiffener element being non-straight when the combined bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state.

[0337] Aptly the method further comprises providing a clamp body between respective adjacent bend stiffener elements to thereby secure the plurality of bend stiffener elements together in an end- to-end configuration.

[0338] Aptly providing the clamp body between respective bend stiffener elements comprises securing respective arcuate split body portions of the clamp body together around respective end regions of adjacent of bend stiffener elements.

[0339] According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure; comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved.

[0340] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state.

[0341] Aptly all points on the longitudinal axis along said at least a portion fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola or a spline function or a spline.

[0342] Aptly the support body comprises a body that has a centre of gravity on a first side of the longitudinal axis and optionally the curve of the longitudinal axis is a concave upward plane curve open in a direction facing away from the first side. Aptly a radius of curvature of said at least a portion is greater than 0.5m, optionally being greater than 2m, optionally being greater than 5m, optionally being greater than 10m.

[0343] Aptly the apparatus further comprises at least one wall engaging element supported on the support body that is selectively locatable between a deployed state and a non-deployed state to thereby permit at least a portion of the rigid support body to be moved through an aperture, in a wall of a structure, in a first direction but not moved through the aperture in a further direction opposite to the first direction.

[0344] Aptly the wall engaging element is a retaining element for retaining the support at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

[0345] Aptly at least a portion of a radially outer surface of the support body extends along the longitudinal axis.

[0346] Aptly the apparatus further comprises an elongate flexible member, that optionally is a cable or a hose or a pipe or a tube or an umbilical, that is locatable at least partly through the through passageway.

[0347] Aptly a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of the support body, is offset from a first imaginary line that extends between respective radial centre points of respective ends of the support body or the combined support body.

[0348] Aptly a length of a further imaginary line that extends between the centre of gravity and the first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to the first imaginary line, determines a restoring moment associated with the support body or the combined support body when the elongate element is suspended via the respective ends of the support body or combined support body.

[0349] According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure; comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body; wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved.

[0350] Aptly all points on the longitudinal axis along said a portion fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola or a spline or a spline function.

[0351] Aptly the support body comprises a body that has a centre of gravity on a first side of the longitudinal axis and optionally a curve of the longitudinal axis is a concave upward plane curve open in a direction facing away from the first side.

[0352] Aptly an axis, that optionally is a central axis, of the through passageway extends along the longitudinal axis or is substantially parallel with, but offset from, the longitudinal axis.

[0353] Aptly at least a portion the through passageway curves along the longitudinal axis.

[0354] Aptly the support body has an outer surface comprising a generally cylindrical outer surface region, the outer surface region extending on an outer surface of an imaginary bent pipe that has an outer surface of generally circular cross-section with centre points of each circle of the circular cross-section along at least a portion of a whole length of the imaginary bent pipe falling on a curve.

[0355] According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a Cable Protection System for locating an elongate flexible element at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved; wherein the Cable Protection System is for deploying a cable through an aperture of an offshore structure.

[0356] According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a Cable Protection System for locating an elongate flexible element at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved; wherein the Cable Protection System is for deploying a cable through an aperture of an offshore structure.

[0357] According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body, that comprises a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the rigid support body to a further end of the support body, at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure; and prior to and / or during providing the support body at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure, providing a rotational restoring force on the support body thereby arranging the support body in a desired orientation.

[0358] Aptly the method further comprises providing the restoring force on the support body comprises, via moment arm provided by a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of support body, that is offset from a first imaginary line extending between respective radial centre points of respective opposed ends of the support body or combined support body, urging the support body to at least partly rotate about said first imaginary line.

[0359] Aptly the moment arm is a length of a further imaginary line that extends between said centre of gravity of the support body, or combined support body, and said first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to said first imaginary line.

[0360] Aptly the method further comprises, via at least one retaining element supported on the support body, retaining the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0361] Aptly the method further comprises urging the at least one retaining element against an inner surface region of the wall to thereby retain the support body at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0362] According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the through passageway, for at least a portion of a whole length of the through passageway, is curved; locating the support body through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating a first end region of the support body within the structure and simultaneously locating a further end region of the support body outside of the structure; whereby a first portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the first end region is oblique with respect to a further portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the further end region.

[0363] Aptly the method further comprises providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby an angle between a direction of entry and a direction of exit of the support body is between 90 and 180 degrees.

[0364] Aptly the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state.

[0365] Aptly all points on the longitudinal axis along said at least a portion fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola or a spline function or a spline.

[0366] Aptly the support body further comprises a body that has a centre of gravity on a first side of the longitudinal axis and optionally the curve of the longitudinal axis is a concave upward plane curve open in a direction facing away from the first side.

[0367] Aptly a radius of curvature of said at least a portion is greater than 0.5m, optionally being greater than 2m, optionally being greater than 5m, optionally being greater than 10m.

[0368] Apply at least one wall engaging element is supported on the support body that is selectively locatable between a deployed state and a non-deployed state to thereby permit at least a portion of the rigid support body to be moved through an aperture, in a wall of a structure, in a first direction but not moved through the aperture in a further direction opposite to the first direction.

[0369] Aptly the wall engaging element is a retaining element for retaining the support at least partly through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

[0370] Aptly at least a portion of a radially outer surface of the support body extends along the longitudinal axis. Aptly an elongate flexible member, that optionally is a cable or a hose or a pipe or a tube or an umbilical, is locatable at least partly through the through passageway.

[0371] Aptly a centre of gravity of the support body, or optionally of a combined support body that comprises the support body and one or more bend stiffener element secured to a respective end of the support body, is offset from a first imaginary line that extends between respective radial centre points of respective ends of the support body or the combined support body.

[0372] Aptly a length of a further imaginary line that extends between the centre of gravity and the first imaginary line, and is perpendicular to the first imaginary line, determines a restoring moment associated with the support body or the combined support body when the elongate element is suspended via the respective ends of the support body or combined support body.

[0373] According to a thirty-nineth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a remaining end of the support body, wherein a longitudinal axis, that comprises a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state, of the support body, for at least a portion of a whole length of the support body, is curved; locating the support body through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating a first end region of the support body within the structure and simultaneously locating a further end region of the support body outside of the structure; whereby a first portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the first end region is oblique with respect to a further portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the further end region.

[0374] Aptly the method further comprises providing the support body with respect to the aperture whereby an angle between a direction of entry and a direction of exit of the support body is between 90 and 180 degrees.

[0375] Aptly all points on the longitudinal axis along said a portion fall on an open plane curve that optionally is an arc or a parabola or a spline or a spline function.

[0376] Aptly the support further body comprises a body that has a centre of gravity on a first side of the longitudinal axis and optionally a curve of the longitudinal axis is a concave upward plane curve open in a direction facing away from the first side. Aptly an axis, that optionally is a central axis, of the through passageway extends along the longitudinal axis or is substantially parallel with, but offset from, the longitudinal axis.

[0377] Aptly at least a portion the through passageway curves along the longitudinal axis.

[0378] Aptly the support body has an outer surface comprising a generally cylindrical outer surface region, the outer surface region extending on an outer surface of an imaginary bent pipe that has an outer surface of generally circular cross-section with centre points of each circle of the circular cross-section along at least a portion of a whole length of the imaginary bent pipe falling on a curve.

[0379] According to a fortieth aspect of the present invention there is provided a foundation for an offshore wind farm with at least one sea cable feedthrough, the sea cable feedthrough being provided at a height h within a range of about 3m below to about 2.8m over the seabed.

[0380] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough being provided at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 1 .5m over the seabed.

[0381] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough being provided at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 2.5m below the seabed.

[0382] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough being provided at a height h within a range of about 0.5m above to about 0.5m below the seabed.

[0383] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided for inserting a sea cable, that comprises an elongate flexible member, at an angle alpha within a range of about 75° to about 90° to a primary foundation axis of the foundation.

[0384] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is provided for inserting a sea cable, that comprises an elongate flexible member, at an angle alpha about 90° to a central foundation axis of the foundation.

[0385] Aptly the foundation further comprises in a wall of the foundation, an aperture, comprising an oval or oval shaped wall breakthrough, is provided for feeding through a sea cable. Aptly the oval or oval shaped wall breakthrough is an aperture comprising a through hole in a wall of the foundation and is oval or oval shaped in a side elevation view of the foundation from a point vertically level with and facing straight at a centre of the aperture.

[0386] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough has a centre disposed in an imaginary curved cylindrical surface containing a major portion of an outer surface of a wall of the foundation and said a height h is a distance between said a centre and a level of a seabed region proximate to a base region of the foundation.

[0387] Aptly the sea cable feedthrough is an aperture that is oval and said a centre comprises a midpoint between foci of the oval or the aperture is circular and said a centre comprises a centre of the circle.

[0388] Aptly the foundation further comprises a bent round pipe is secured in the wall breakthrough.

[0389] Aptly the foundation further comprises a rigid support body that comprises a bent round pipe portion and that supports a flexible elongate member passing through a through passageway in the rigid support body is secured in the wall breakthrough.

[0390] Aptly the bent round pipe comprises a rigid support body that is non-straight and that includes a portion that is curved.

[0391] Aptly the foundation further comprises a bent pipe comprising a rigid support body, disposed in the sea cable feedthrough that comprises an aperture, comprises at least one latching means inside of the foundation.

[0392] Aptly the foundation further comprises a rigid support body comprising a curved portion, disposed in the sea cable feedthrough that comprises an aperture, comprises at least one swivellable securing element.

[0393] Aptly the foundation is a foundation for a wind turbine of an offshore windfarm and is a monopile foundation or is a tripod foundation or is a tripile foundation or is a gravity foundation or is a jacket foundation for a wind turbine. According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of locating a sea cable at a desired location with respect to a sea cable feedthrough of a foundation for an offshore windfarm, comprising the steps of: urging a rigid support body comprising a through passageway along which a sea cable is disposed, at least partially through a sea cable feedthrough provided at a height h within a range of about 3m below to about 2.8m over the seabed.

[0394] Aptly the method further comprises urging the sea cable in the rigid support body through the sea cable feedthrough at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 1.5m over the seabed or at a height h within a range of about 0.5m to about 2.5m below the seabed or at a height h within a range of about 0.5m above to about 0.5m below the seabed.

[0395] Aptly the method further comprises inserting sea cable disposed in the rigid support body through the cable feedthrough at an angle alpha of within a range of about 75° to about 90° to the foundation.

[0396] Aptly the method further comprises, as the rigid support body is urged through an aperture in a wall of the foundation that comprises the sea cable feedthrough, locating a first neutral axis associated with a first bent stiffener element at an inside region of the foundation at a first angle with respect to an imaginary through axis passing through the aperture and orthogonal to a wall surface of a wall of the foundation; and simultaneously locating a further neutral axis associated with a further bent stiffener element at an outside region of the foundation at a further angle with respect to the imaginary through axis where the first angle is greater than the further angle and optionally the first angle is from 90° to 30° and the further angle is from 30° to 1°.

[0397] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a non-straight bend stiffener element that helps guide an elongate flexible member from a structure to a touch-down point on an environmental base while maintaining a curvature of an elongate flexible member to be above a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with the elongate flexible member.

[0398] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a reduced likelihood of failure of a cable located through a cable protection system due to unwanted and potentially excessive bending of the cable due to the cable being directed towards an environmental base. Certain embodiments of the present invention help decrease a distance between a CPS touchdown point and a structure that includes and aperture in a wall of the structure through which the CPS is arranged. Aptly the free-span region associated with the CPS is decreased thereby reducing force and / or strain and / or abrasion experienced by the cable at, in or proximate to the free-span region / touch-down point. A projected area of the CPS in the free-span region can be reduced which helps reduces forces incident on the CPS (and / or cable) in this region.

[0399] Certain embodiment of the present invention reduce a projected area associated with the CPS and / or an area in which a CPS can be swept due to environmental forces and / or an excursion associated with a CPS by utilising a non-straight bend stiffener element (that is non-straight in an unloaded state), relative to utilisation of a CPS including a straight bend stiffener element. This can help reduce abrasion of the CPS and / or of a cable disposed through the CPS. This can help reduces stresses on a cable where a cable exits the CPS (and / or bend stiffener element) in use.

[0400] Certain embodiments of the present invention reduce a free-span region associated with the CPS that is a region between a structure and an environmental base in which the CPS is not supported. The distance between the structure and a touch-down point, that is a region of the environmental bed at which the CPS contacts the environmental bed, may thus be reduced. Reducing the free-span region may thus reduce a projected area (of the CPS) in and around the structure due to wave / current amplification factors and may position the CPS projected area in the free-span region to be as close as possible to the seabed where current and wave forces may be minimal (in comparison to the rest of the surrounding ocean). It will be understood that current and wave loads may increase further away from an environmental base (for example a seabed).

[0401] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a non-straight rigid support body that optionally is curved and extends along a neutral axis that is curved so that a first end of a CPS extends in a direction that is oblique to a direction and that further end of the CPS extends.

[0402] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a buoyancy and / or ballast region of a CPS that limits axial rotation of the CPS away from an optimal orientation for deployment of at least one retaining element. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a non-straight CPS that is self-righting or self-orienting so that during installation of subsea power cables at an offshore structure or a facility the CPS retains a predetermined orientation.

[0403] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a non-straight CPS that limits unwanted contact of an end of the CPS with the seabed during installation of subsea power cables.

[0404] Certain embodiments of the present invention make use of a paradigm shift in thinking relative to conventional techniques for passing a cable into a foundation through an aperture. By using a rigid support body that is not straight (as is the current state of the art) the disposition of inside and outside sections of the CPS naturally adopt an improved orientation obviating wholly or at least partially many of the problems currently being experienced in the field.

[0405] Certain embodiments of the present invention incorporate a rigid support body that in use will rest in an abutting relationship in an aperture at a mid point between an inside and outside region of a facility and that includes a portion that is curved. The curve can be manifest in the whole length of the body or just in a region of the body so that ends to which bend stiffeners are attached point in respective oblique directions.

[0406] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a cable protection system that includes a central support body section and associated bend stiffener elements at either end of the support body wherein the combined unit, in its neutral / innate state includes one or more curved portions. The support body may be curved in places or one or both of the bend stiffener elements may be curved in places or a combination of support body and one or more bend stiffener can be curved in places. This helps “set off” or direct a flexible elongate member such as a sea cable passing through the combined unit to help reduce over bending as one end region of the flexible elongate member extends upwards within a structure (for example to a winch point in a wind turbine platform) and a remaining end is laid on or slightly under a local seabed.

[0407] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide one or more bend stiffeners that can be secured to respective ends of a support body of a CPS. The bend stiffeners have an innate bend imposed in them so that in a neutral state a portion, which may be a whole, of a whole length of the bend stiffener is not straight. That is to say has a longitudinal axis that is not straight and that includes a curved part. Certain embodiments of the present invention enable a flexible elongate member such as a sea cable to be installed at a foot of a monopile or other such platform for a wind turbine whereby a region of the flexible elongate member may be buried in a trench and overfilled to a sea bed level on the outside of a wall of the platform structure whilst inside the structure the same flexible elongate member is directed upwards towards a winch / fastening point.

[0408] Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0409] Figure 1 illustrates a possible environment including an offshore structure;

[0410] Figure 2A illustrates an upper portion of a wind turbine generator in more detail;

[0411] Figure 2B illustrates a lower portion of a wind turbine generator in more detail;

[0412] Figure 3 illustrates a hang-off clamp in more detail;

[0413] Figure 4 illustrates a connection between a subsea electrical cable and a winching line;

[0414] Figure 5 illustrates the installation of a cable protection system at a predetermined position with respect to an aperture in a monopile wall;

[0415] Figure 6 illustrates the installation of a cable protection system at a predetermined location with respect to an aperture in a monopile wall in more detail;

[0416] Figure 7 illustrates a top-down view of a cable protection system;

[0417] Figure 8 illustrates a top-down view of a different cable protection system;

[0418] Figure 9 illustrates a top-down view of another cable protection system;

[0419] Figure 10 illustrates a top-down view of another cable protection system that includes a buoyancy element;

[0420] Figure 11 illustrates a side-on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 10; Figure 12 illustrates top-down perspective view of a cable protection system that includes a rigid support body have a non-straight portion;

[0421] Figure 13 illustrates a side on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 12;

[0422] Figure 14 illustrates a top-down perspective view of a cable protection system that includes a non-straight right support body;

[0423] Figure 15 illustrates a side on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 14;

[0424] Figure 16 illustrates a top-down perspective view of another cable protection system that includes a non-straight rigid support body;

[0425] Figure 17 illustrates a side on perspective view of the cable protection system illustrated in Figure 16;

[0426] Figure 18 illustrates a top-down perspective view of another cable protection system that includes a rigid support body having a non-straight portion;

[0427] Figure 19 illustrates a side-on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 18;

[0428] Figure 20 illustrates a top-down perspective view of another cable protection system that includes a rigid support body having a non-straight portion;

[0429] Figure 21 illustrates a side on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 20;

[0430] Figure 22 illustrates a top-down perspective view of another cable protection system;

[0431] Figure 23 illustrates a further top-down perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 22;

[0432] Figure 24 illustrates a side-on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 22;

[0433] Figure 25 illustrates part of the support body of the cable protection system of Figure 22 in more detail; Figure 26 illustrates another perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 22;

[0434] Figure 27 illustrates a side-on perspective view of another cable protection system;

[0435] Figure 28 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 27;

[0436] Figure 29A illustrates an end-on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 27;

[0437] Figure 29B illustrates an end-on perspective view of the cable protection system of Figure 27;

[0438] Figure 30 illustrates a perspective view of a non-straight rigid support body;

[0439] Figure 31 illustrates a cross sectional view of the non-straight rigid support body of Figure 30;

[0440] Figure 32A shows another cross sectional view of the non-straight rigid support body of Figure 30;

[0441] Figure 32B illustrates a schematic view of how a non-straight rigid support body lies on an imaginary circle;

[0442] Figure 33 illustrates another perspective view of the non-straight rigid support body of Figure 30;

[0443] Figure 34 illustrates yet another perspective view of the non-straight rigid support body of Figure 30;

[0444] Figure 35 illustrates another cross sectional view of the non-straight rigid support body of Figure 30;

[0445] Figure 36 illustrates a substantially end-on cross sectional view of the non-straight rigid support body of Figure 30;

[0446] Figure 37 illustrates another cross section view of the non-straight rigid support body of Figure 30;

[0447] Figure 38 illustrates how an aperture can be arranged in a wall of a facility; Figure 39 illustrates how a variety of different CPS arrangements can be located through an aperture in a wall of a monopile;

[0448] Figure 40 illustrates a variety of different CPS arrangements;

[0449] Figure 41 illustrates how a CPS including a non-straight rigid support body can optionally be arranged through a lower aperture in a monopile wall than can be adopted using conventional techniques;

[0450] Figure 42 illustrate the difference of bending moment between a CPS including a substantially straight rigid support body and a CPS including a non-straight rigid support body;

[0451] Figure 43 illustrates how a cable can be arranged in a CPS and helps illustrate a restoring moment;

[0452] Figure 44 helps illustrate an alternative aperture in a wall of a facility;

[0453] Figure 45 illustrates a further support body;

[0454] Figure 46 illustrates a still further support body;

[0455] Figure 47A illustrates a different CPS;

[0456] Figure 47B illustrates a still further CPS;

[0457] Figure 48A illustrates a different support body;

[0458] Figure 48B illustrates another support body;

[0459] Figure 48C illustrates a different CPS;

[0460] Figure 49 illustrates an aperture, in a wall of a facility, that is located below an environmental bed; Figure 50 illustrates a plot showing fatigue life against cable arc length for an arrangement including a straight CPS and an arrangement including a non-straight CPS;

[0461] Figure 51 illustrates a CPS including a non-straight bend stiffener;

[0462] Figure 52 illustrates another CPS;

[0463] Figure 53 illustrates a different perspective view of the CPS of Figure 52;

[0464] Figure 54 illustrates the splines 5230 shown in Figure 53 in more detail;

[0465] Figure 55 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the CPS 5200 illustrated in Figures 52 to 54;

[0466] Figure 56 illustrates a schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 55;

[0467] Figure 57 illustrates a side-on schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 56 located through an aperture in a wall of a structure;

[0468] Figure 58 illustrates a further schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 57;

[0469] Figure 59 illustrates a side on view of the splines of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 58;

[0470] Figure 60 illustrates an end on schematic view of the splines of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 59;

[0471] Figure 61 illustrates a different schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 60;

[0472] Figure 62 illustrates an end-on schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 61 ;

[0473] Figure 63 illustrates a further end-on schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 62;

[0474] Figure 64 illustrates a top-down schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 63;

[0475] Figure 65 illustrates a bottom-up schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 64; Figure 66 illustrates how a restoring moment is provided by the geometry of the non-straight CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 64;

[0476] Figure 67 illustrates a further top down perspective view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 66;

[0477] Figure 68 illustrates a side on cross section view of the CPS of Figures 52 to 67;

[0478] Figure 69 illustrates a CPS arrangement having a non-straight bend stiffener element;

[0479] Figure 70 illustrates a different perspective view of the CPS arrangement of Figure 69;

[0480] Figure 71 illustrates a cross sectional view of the CPS arrangement shown in Figure 70;

[0481] Figure 72 illustrates the non-straight bend stiffener element shown in Figure 69 in more detail;

[0482] Figure 73 illustrates a combined bend stiffener element that includes a plurality of bend stiffener elements secured in an end-to-end configuration;

[0483] Figure 74 illustrates one of the bend stiffener elements of Figure 73 in more detail;

[0484] Figure 75 illustrates a different perspective view of the bend stiffener element of Figure 74;

[0485] Figure 76 illustrates steps of a method for manufacturing a non-straight bend stiffener element;

[0486] Figure 77 illustrates steps of a further method for manufacturing a non-straight bend stiffener element;

[0487] Figure 78 illustrates steps of a still further method for manufacturing a non-straight bend stiffener element;

[0488] Figure 79 illustrates steps of a method for manufacturing a combined bend stiffener element;

[0489] Figure 80 illustrates a clamp body for securing a plurality of bend stiffener elements together to form a combined bend stiffener element; Figure 81 illustrates how a tree-span region associated with a CPS can be reduced by utilising a bend stiffener element that is non-straight in an unloaded state in comparison to utilising a bend stiffener element that is straight in an unloaded state; and

[0490] Figure 82 illustrates how an excursion displacement associated with a CPS can be reduced by utilising a bend stiffener element that is non-straight in an unloaded state in comparison to utilising a bend stiffener element that is straight in an unloaded state.

[0491] In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

[0492] Figure 1 illustrates a possible environment 100 including an offshore structure. The environment 100 includes an offshore region 104 and an onshore region 108. It will be understood that the offshore region 104 includes a fluidic environment. The fluid is seawater. It will be understood that the fluid of the environment may be other types of water, for example fresh water or brackish water, or the fluid may be a fluid that is not water. It will be understood that the fluid of the environment may include a mixture of different fluid or types of water. Aptly the fluidic environment is an aquatic environment that includes a body of water. The onshore region 108 includes a sea / land transition station 112 for transmitting electrical energy from a wind turbine generator (WTG) of the offshore region 104 to the onshore region 108 and vice versa. It will be understood that the WTG is an example of a facility. It will be understood that the WTG is an example of an offshore structure. The onshore region may additionally or alternatively include further structures such as an onshore converter station for converting electrical energy into suitable forms for onshore / offshore use. The offshore region 104 includes the wind turbine generator (WTG) 116 arranged vertically upright and substantially perpendicular to a base 120 of the offshore region. In the environment shown in Figure 1 the base is the seabed. Alternatively, the base could be a lake basin, a riverbed, an estuary bed or the like. The WTG 116 is an example of an offshore structure. The WTG 116 is an example of a facility. The WTG shown includes a monopile 124 a transition piece 128 and a turbine section 132. A portion of the monopile 126 is embedded in the base / seabed 120. The turbine section shown includes three turbine blades 134, as is illustrated in Figure 1. It will be appreciated that any suitable number of turbine blades may instead be included in the WTG 116. It will be appreciated that the turbine blades 134 are able to spin in response to wind to thereby rotate a rotor 140. It will be understood that a generator housed inside of the turbine section 132, and connected to the rotor 140, can be rotated in response to the rotor 140 motion to generate electrical energy. Alternatively, the generator may generate electrical energy responsive to the rotation of the rotor but not itself rotate. Alternatively, only a part of the generator may rotate. The rotor 140 may optionally be connected to the generator via one or more shafts and / or one or more cogs or the like. Optionally the connection between the rotor 140 and the generator may include a gearbox to multiply the rotational speed of the generator relative to the rotor 140 at a given ratio.

[0493] It will be appreciated that the fluid in Figure 1 is seawater however the fluid of the environment may include seawater and / or brackish water and / or freshwater and / or the like. It will be appreciated that the WTG is an example of a structure. It will be appreciated that further structures, such as an onshore converter station, are examples of further facilities. It will be appreciated that the seabed is an example of an environmental bed of an environment.

[0494] The offshore region 104 shown includes an offshore substation 144 for collecting and distributing electrical energy provided by the WTG 116. The offshore substation 144 is a further example a facility. The offshore substation is a further example of an offshore structure. It will be understood that a facility may include an offshore structure. The offshore region may only include the WTG 116 or a plurality of WTGs. A subsea electricity cable 148 connects the WTG 116 and the substation 144. A further subsea electricity cable 152 connects the substation to the transition station 112 of the onshore region 108. The cables 148, 152 are examples of submersible cables. The cables may be submarine cables. Optionally the cables 148, 152 are located on the seabed 120. It will be understood that the seabed 120 is an example of a base of the environment of the offshore region 104. Optionally the cables 148, 152 are partially or wholly embedded in the seabed 120. Optionally the cables 148, 152 float above the seabed 120. The cables 148, 152 shown each include an electricity line. The electricity line is provided by one or more wires. It will be understood that the cables 148, 152 may include multiple electricity lines. It will be understood that the cables 148, 152 may not be electricity cables. It will be understood that the cables 148, 152 may include one or more hydraulic lines. It will be understood that the cables 148, 152 may include one or more fibreoptic lines. It will be understood that the cables 148, 152 may be clad in a waterproof or water-resistant layer, for example a polymeric layer. It will be understood that the cables 148, 152 may include one or more damping materials to reduce crosstalk / interference between individual lines within the respective cable. Further cables may also connect the structures 116, 144 to the onshore region 108. It will be understood that the subsea cables 148, 152 are examples of flexible elongate members. It will be understood that the cables 148, 152 facilitate transmission of electrical power, energy and / or signals. The cable connecting the WTG 116 to the substation 144 is an example of an array cable 148. Array cables 148 may connect the WTG 116 to further WTGs of an offshore wind power farm. An offshore wind power farm can include multiple WTGs. The cable connecting the substation 144 to the onshore region 108 is an example of an export cable 152. Further export cables may be connected to the substation 144. Alternatively, one or more export cables may be connected to a WTG 116. As illustrated in Figure 1 , a section of cable 156 of the of the array cable 148 enters the WTG 116 at the monopile 124.

[0495] Although Figure 1 relates to an offshore WTG 116 in an environment including seawater, it will be appreciated that a WTG may be situated in a number of other locations. For example, a WTG may be located in a lake and may be arranged in an environment which includes freshwater. As a further example, a WTG may be located in an estuary and may be arranged in an environment that includes brackish water. It will also be understood that other types of facility may be included in an infrastructure such as Figure 1 , including floating structures, floating power generation structures, floating WTGs, tidal power structures, solar power structures, data generation structures, monitoring structures, submarine structures, maintenance structures and the like. Further examples of facilities where passage of a flexible elongate member through a wall-like part of the facility may be desired include concrete WTG foundations, gravity based WTG foundations, floating solar array foundations, tidal wave generation structures, structures associated with telecommunications systems, structures associated with hydraulic systems, structures associated with fluid transfer systems via pipes and the like, structures associated with underwater mining operations, structures associated with underwater oil and gas extraction, structures associated with fracking activities, structures associated with offshore power generation, structures associated with onshore power generation, structures associated with power distribution networks (for example substations and transformers) structures associated with portable power technologies and structures associated with venting gasses (for example venting hydrogen gas produced by hydrolysis at offshore wind turbines or solar installations). The walls of such facilities may be formed from different materials and have a variety of dimensions such as thickness. For example, a wall may be a flat metallic or round metallic element or may be a flat or round concrete element or the like.

[0496] It will be appreciated that the offshore substation is an example of a structure. It will be appreciated that the subsea electricity cables are examples of subsea cables. It will be understood that the subsea electricity cables are examples of sea cables.

[0497] Figure 2A illustrates an upper portion 200 of a WTG in more detail. As illustrated in Figure 2A, the lowest region of the WTG shown is the monopile 204. The upper region of the WTG is the turbine section 208. Aptly, the turbine section is a turbine tower. The turbine section includes three turbine blades 212 and a rotor 216. It will be appreciated that any other suitable number of turbine blades may instead be included. For example one, two, four, five or more turbine blades may instead be included. Interspaced between the monopile and the turbine section is the transition piece 220.

[0498] Figure 2B illustrates a lower portion 260 of a WTG in more detail. As is illustrated in Figure 2B, the lowest region of the WTG is the monopile 204. The upper region of the WTG is the turbine section 208. The turbine section includes the turbine blades 212 and the rotor 216. Interspaced between the monopile and the turbine section is the transition piece 220. The monopile 204 is a support structure for supporting the transition piece 220 and the turbine section 216. The monopile includes a cylindrical wall 228 which surrounds a cavity region 232 within the monopile. The cavity is an inner region 232 associated with the monopile 204, or a region inside the monopile 204. That is to say the monopile 204 is a largely hollow structure. It will be understood that a base region of the monopile 236 is embedded within the seabed. It will be understood that the portion of the monopile not embedded in the seabed is fully or partially surrounded by a fluidic environment 240, for example in sea water. The surrounding fluidic environment is an outer region 240 associated with the monopile, and is a region outside of the wall of the monopile. Aptly this is an aquatic environment.

[0499] A subsea cable 244 extends through an aperture 248 in the wall 228 of the monopile 204. The aperture illustrated is a substantially circular through hole extending through the monopile wall. Optionally the aperture is provided by drilling. Optionally the aperture extends along an axis that is angled with respect to an axis perpendicular to the primary axis of the monopile wall. Optionally this angle is between 10 and 90 degrees. Optionally this angle is around 45 degrees. Optionally this angle is around 30 degrees. Optionally this angle is around 15 degrees. It will be understood that the monopile wall is a substantially cylindrical metallic body. Optionally the aperture is defined by edges that extend through the wall and that fall on a cylinder. Optionally said cylinder is generally perpendicular to the major axis associated with the wall. In this sense the aperture can be “straight through” rather than oblique to an inside / outside wall of the facility.

[0500] It will be appreciated that the aperture can be substantially circular in shape or may be an oval or the like. It will be understood that the aperture may be arranged above the seabed, as is shown in Figure 2B. Alternatively, the aperture may be located beneath the seabed. That is to say the aperture may be located through a region of the wall that is disposed below the seabed.

[0501] An aperture is a feedthrough or breakthrough in a foundation of a facility.

[0502] It will be appreciated that an aperture is a feedthrough or breakthrough in a foundation of a structure.

[0503] Optionally the monopile wall is between 40 to 100 mm thick. As discussed in regard to Figure 1 , the subsea cable 244 is an example of a flexible elongate member. The cable is an example of an elongate flexible member. The subsea cable 244 of Figure 2 includes an electrical line. It will be understood that the subsea cable may optionally include a hydraulic line and / or a fibreoptic line and the like. The subsea cable 244 may include an outer cladding, for example a polymeric cladding. It will be understood that the aperture 248 may be a through hole provided, by drilling for example, through the monopile wall 228. The cable may include more than one electrical line and / or more than one hydraulic line and / or more than one fibreoptic line or the like. The cable 244 extends from the environment 240 into the inner region 232 of the monopile via the aperture 248. It will be understood that the subsea cable 244 may be arranged to pass through the aperture 248 at any suitable angle in relation to the primary axis of the monopile wall 228. For example, the subsea cable 244 may be arranged to extend through the aperture 248 at an angle of around 45 degrees relative to the primary axis of the monopile wall 228. As is illustrated in Figure 2B, the cable 244 extends up through the inner region / cavity 232 of the monopile and into the transition piece 220. A cable protection system (CPS) 249 including a rigid support body 250 is arranged through the aperture 248 and surrounds a portion of the cable 244. Figure 2B illustrates one cable 244 extending through the monopile 204 however it will be understood that one, two, three or more cables can be arranged to extend through the monopile inner region 232. It will be appreciated that numerous cables or other flexible elongate members could be bundled together to pass through the aperture by being threaded through the CPS. Such a bundled cable arrangement may behave like a single cable from an installation perspective. It will be understood that a bundled flexible elongate member arrangement may include submarine cables and / or hydraulic cables and / or fibre optic cables and the like. The cable 244 extends up to a platform 252 arranged within the transition piece and towards an upper end of the transition piece. The platform 252 extends across the width of the transition piece 220 and includes a hang-off clamp 256 for securing the cable 244 in the WTG. In this way, a portion of the cable, which optionally is proximate to an end portion of the cable 244, hangs through the transition piece 220 and the monopile 204. The transition piece may optionally also include a winch 260 and a winching line 264. Optionally the winch 260 and winching line may be located in the turbine portion 208 or in the transition piece 220. It will be understood that an end of the winching line 264 is connected to the winch 260. It will be understood that a remaining end of the winching line is connectable to an end of the cable 244 for, via a tension provided by the winch, winching the cable up towards the hang off clamp or, by reducing a tension via the winch, lowering the cable through the transition piece and monopile. It will be understood that a tension could be measured in Newtons (N) and could be measured using a tension meter. The winch is selectively operated to selectively raise or lower the attached elements.

[0504] The aperture 248 shown in Figure 2B is around 340 mm diameter and around a 45 degree inclination to the seabed, in a 40 mm to 100 mm wall, with the monopile having a diameter between 4 m to 12 m. It will be understood that the monopile diameter, aperture size and associated inclination angle, and wall thickness could alternatively be greater or less than these dimensions. That is to say that any suitable diameter and inclination of aperture, monopile wall thickness and monopile diameter could be utilised. It will be understood that the angle that the rigid support body is arranged, relative to the monopile wall, when extending through the aperture is an angle of penetration or a penetration angle. Aptly the penetration angle is around 90 degrees. Aptly the penetration angle is around 45 degrees. Aptly the penetration angle is around 30 degrees. Aptly the penetration angle is around 15 degrees.

[0505] It will be understood that at least a portion of the inner surface of the wall of the monopile may include a protective layer to reduce damage and / or wear, the protective layer optionally being corrosion resistant. Such a protective layer may be a layer which reduces damage to the wall due to abutment of retaining technologies for retaining the support body of a CPS at a predetermined position.

[0506] Figure 3 illustrates a hang-off clamp 300 in more detail. The hang-off clamp 300 includes a through bore 304 and is arranged in series with a through bore in a platform 312 of a transition piece of a WTG. That is to say that an effective through bore extends through both the hang- off clamp 300 and the platform 312. A cable 318 extends through the respective through holes / bores 304, 308 of the platform 312 and the hang-off clamp 300. The cable 318 includes an outer sheath 322 and an inner sheath 326. Optionally the outer sheath 322 comprises a polymeric material that is further optionally water resistant or waterproof. Optionally the inner sheath 326 comprises a polymeric material that is further optionally water resistant. The inner sheath 326 is arranged radially within the outer sheath 322 and extends through the outer sheath 322. As is illustrated in Figure 3, the outer sheath 322 is terminated within the hang- off clamp bore 304 whereas the inner sheath 326 extends through the hang-off clamp 300 and extends through an upper end 330 of the hang-off clamp. It will be appreciated that at a lower end 332 of the hang-off clamp 300, the cable 318, including the outer sheath 322 and the inner sheath 326 extend from the hang-off clamp 300 towards the monopile of the WTG.

[0507] The hang-off clamp 300 includes a hang-off clamp body 334. The hang off clamp body of Figure 3 includes two annular elements 338i, 3382 with a substantially flattened C-shaped cross section arranged in series. That it to say that a first annular element 338i is arranged on top of a further annular element 3382. It will be understood that any suitable number of annular elements may be utilised in a hang-off clamp, the elements comprising a through bore. The through bore 304 of the hang-off clamp is provided / defined by the cylindrical inner surface 340i, 3402of each stacked annular element. The outer sheath 322 of the cable 318 extends through the further (lower) annular element 3382and into the first (upper) annular element

[0508] 3381. The inner surface 3402of the further (lower) annular element 3382is arranged around the outer sheath 322 of the cable and exerts a radially inwardly facing first clamping force on a portion of an outer surface 344 of the cable 318 due to a tight fitting between the outer surface 344 of the cable 318 and the inner surface 3402of the further (lower) annular element

[0509] 3382. This is optionally an interference fit. It will be understood that the first clamping force at least partially results from an abutting relationship between the outer surface 344 of the cable and the inner surface 3402of the further (lower) annular element 3382and is at least partly due to friction. Optionally the inner surface 340i of the first (upper) annular element 338i additionally provides a clamping force on the terminal portion of the outer surface 344 of the cable 318 that is arranged within the first annular element 338i.

[0510] One or more armour wires 348 are arranged between the outer sheath 322 and the inner sheath 326 of the cable 318. Two armour wires 348 are illustrated in Figure 3 but it will be understood that any suitable number of armour wires could instead be utilised. The armour wires of Figure 3 wires are formed from a metallic material. Optionally the armour wires are formed from an alloy material. Optionally the armour wires are formed from a composite material. The armour wires 348 extend through the portion of the cable 318 that includes the outer sheath 322 and further extend beyond the terminating point 352 of the outer sheath such that the armour wires 348 that extend through the hang-off clamp body and are splayed-out over a first end 356 of the first annular element 338i, where they are terminated. It will be appreciated that the remaining end of the first annular element 338i is connected to the further annular element 3382. It will be appreciated that the remaining end of the further annular element 3382is connected to the platform 312. A clamping ring 360 is arranged over the splayed-out wires 348, and is urged against the wires 348, to provide a further clamping force on the wires 348. The wires are thus securely clamped between the first end 356 of the first annular element 3381 and the clamping ring 360. The cable 318 is therefore securely clamped within the hang-off clamp 300 via two distinct clamping forces and hangs at a desired position within the WTG. It will be appreciated that prior to clamping the cable 318 in the hang-off clamp 300, the cable may be winched up to a desired position in the WTG by attaching a winching line to a terminal end of the cable 318 and, via a winch, providing a tension on the winching line to lift the cable up through the monopile and transition piece of the WTG.

[0511] Figure 4 illustrates a connection 400 between a winching line 404 and a cable 408 for pulling a cable through a WTG in a first vertical direction. This direction is illustrated by the arrow in Figure 4. It will be appreciated that the first vertical direction is an upward direction from a region in the monopile of a WTG proximate the base of the environment (for example, the seabed or a lake basin etc.) towards the hang-off clamp or turbine portion of the WTG. A terminal end 412 of a cable 408 is arranged inside a sock / stocking grip or Chinese-finger grip 416. Other connection techniques could optionally be used. The Chinese-finger grip 416 includes a flexible interwoven material in a tubular net-like arrangement. An end portion of the grip 416 is arranged through a chamfered ferrule such that the terminal end of the grip 416 forms an eyelet 420. A portion of a coupling link 424 is threaded through the eyelet. The coupling link 424 includes a first and further arcuate coupling element 428i, 4282which are connected via the terminal ends of each arcuate coupling element 428i , 4282. The first arcuate coupling element 428i is threaded through the eyelet 420 prior to connecting the first coupling element 428i and the further coupling element 4282. The further coupling element 428 is connected to a swivel device 432, optionally via a respective eyelet 436 of the of the swivel device 432.

[0512] The winching line 404 is connected to an opposite end of the swivel device 432 via another coupling link 440 which couples an eyelet 444 of the winching line 404 to a respective eyelet 448 of the swivel device in a similar way to how the Chinese-finger grip 416 is connected to the swivel 432. It will be understood that the eyelet 444 of the winching line 404 is provided by threading a terminal end 448 of the winching line 404 through a chamfered ferrule 452. The swivel is arranged to be rotatable such that a rotational motion of the cable 408 during a winching operation does not produce a twisting of, and an associated tension in, the winching line 404 and vice versa. Optionally the swivel device 432 is disposed to allow the eyelets 436, 448 of the swivel device 432 to rotate / swivel independently of each other. Via the connection between the cable 418 and the winching line 404 illustrated in Figure 4, the cable 408 can be winched up via a winching device / element to a desired position within the WTG.

[0513] Figure 5 illustrates the installation 500 of a rigid support body 502 of a cable protection system (CPS) 504 at a predetermined position with respect to an aperture 508 in a wall 512 of a monopile 516. The rigid support body of Figure 5 is located at the predetermined position with respect to the aperture in the wall. It will be understood that the monopile 516 is a part of a WTG, the WTG being an example of a facility and / or an offshore structure. It will be appreciated that the monopile is submerged in a fluidic environment 520, for example seawater or fresh water or brackish water, and is partially embedded within the base 524 of the environment, for example the seabed. The fluidic environment shown in Figure 5 is seawater and the base is the seabed. It will be appreciated that the cable protection system is arranged around a submersible electrical cable 528 that is an example of a flexible elongate member. That is to say the rigid support body 502 includes a through-bore that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a further end and through which a flexible elongate member is located. The throughbore is a through passageway The rigid support body 502 of the CPS 504 is initially arranged at a first position 532 that is outside the monopile. That is to say that the rigid support body 502 is entirely located outside of the monopile 516 and in the environment 520. It will be appreciated that, either when the CPS 504 is arranged such that the rigid support body 502 is located at the first position, or prior to the rigid support body 502 being located at the first position, a first winching line is connected to a first terminal end 540 of the cable 528. A remaining end of the first winching line is connected to a first winch 544. The first winch 544 is located in an upper region of the WTG, optionally within an upper region of the transition piece. Optionally, either when the CPS is located at the first position or prior to the CPS being located at the first position, a further winching line 548 is connected to a further terminal end 552 of the cable 528. The further winching line 548 is optionally connected to a further winch 556. Optionally the further winch 556 is directly connected to the further terminal end 552 of the cable 528. The further winch 556 is located at the surface 560 of the fluidic environment 520, for example on a boat / ship 564 or other such vessel. Typically, a first tension provided on the cable via the first winch 544 is arranged to be substantially in equilibrium with a further tension on the cable provided by the further winch 556 which is opposed to the first tension, to help limit any possibly destructive and damaging free motion of the cable. That is to say that the first and further tension are substantially balanced to limit unwanted motion of the cable. It will be understood that the rigid support body may encompass a dynamic portion of the cable at a particular moment in time. That is to say, a part of the cable may be free to move within the rigid support body.

[0514] Although the body shown in Figure 5 is a rigid support body, it will be appreciated that any other suitable support body may instead be utilised. For example, a semi-flexible or flexible support body could be utilised that may, for example, be made from polymeric material such as polyurethane. Optionally, the support body may be generally rigid but may include regions, for example regions with reduced thickness, that are semi-flexible or flexible. The rigid support body of Figure 5 is made from a metallic material that optionally is an alloy material. The rigid support body of Figure 5 may be manufactured from stainless steel. Alternatively, any other suitable material could be used to manufacture the rigid support body of Figure 5. The support body may alternatively have a rigid skeleton frame internally in it and a resilient but substantially rigid cover / body surrounding the frame whereby the resultant body is flexible only on its outer surface.

[0515] It will be appreciated that the WTG illustrated in Figure 5 is an example of a structure.

[0516] It will be appreciated that the first tension acts in a vertically upwardly direction (in a direction closely or exactly aligned with a direction of the primary axis of the WTG) proximate the first winch 544. However, as the cable is arranged to be connected to both the first and further winch 536, 548 each being located at longitudinally different positions, and as the cable 528 is threaded through the aperture 508, at least a portion of the first tension will be translated into a longitudinal component proximate to the aperture 508. That is to say that a pulling force that is oblique or perpendicular to the first tension will be incident on the portion of the cable proximate to the aperture. It will therefore be understood that by increasing the first tension, the cable 528 can be pulled further Into the monopile 516 of the WTG. The rigid support body 502 is pulled along with the cable 528 and is therefore pulled into the aperture of the rigid support body to a further position. The further position of the rigid support body is a position in which a portion of the rigid support body is located within the monopile 516. The rigid support body, once pulled into the aperture, can be arranged at a predetermined position 564 in which a portion of the rigid support body 502 is arranged within the monopile. The CPS may additionally include a bend stiffener member 564, a pull-in head adaptor 568 and one or more restricting elements 572. Optionally, the cable can be secured at a hang-off clamp 576. It will be appreciated that, during a cable and / or support body pull in operation, the first tension provides a pulling force on the cable which is provided by the first winching element being connected to the cable via the first winching line (optionally via a Chinese finger cable grip element such as the grip illustrated in Figure 4). It will be appreciated that the first tension could be measured in Newtons (N) and could be measured using a tension meter.

[0517] It will be appreciated that the support body and / or the one or more restricting elements and / or the bend stiffener member may instead be a single body formed from a common material.

[0518] It will be appreciated that, during a support body pull-in operation, the first pulling force is applied to the first terminal end of the cable in a first pulling direction which optionally is a vertically upward direction. It will be understood that, via the first pulling force, an urging force is provided to the rigid support body, due to a connection between the cable and the rigid support body which optionally is via a pull-in head, in a first penetration direction aligned with an axis of the rigid support body as the rigid support body passes through the aperture.

[0519] It will be appreciated that the further winching line is an example of a tensioning element. The tensioning element may instead include a cable engine or a clamping quadrant and the like.

[0520] It will be understood that, after pulling a portion of the support body through / into the aperture, via a further pulling force on the further winching line, the rigid support body can be urged in a further penetration direction directed away from within the monopile. The penetration direction and / or the further penetration direction extends in an axis that is around 45 degrees to the primary axis associated with the wall of the monopile. By relaxing the first pulling force and allowing movement of a previously inside portion of the rigid support body out of the facility via gravity, the rigid support body is urged into a retained position. It will be understood that the further tension may be cooperatively increased to pull the support body into the retained position.

[0521] Optionally via a sealing element, the aperture is sealed around the rigid support body to thereby prevent fluid communication between the facility and the environment in at least one direction.

[0522] It will be understood when the rigid body in the retained position in which an axial position of the rigid support body with respect to a location of the aperture remains substantially unchanged, a swivel angle and / or an angle of attack, of an abutment surface of a retaining element, adopted by each retaining element responsive to environmental forces may be constantly adjusted in use. At any particular instance in time, the retaining element maintains an equilibrium position responsive to all forces exerted on the rigid support body despite at least one of a yaw and pitch and roll angle associated with an orientation of the rigid support body varying.

[0523] It will be appreciated that the retaining element may alternatively effectively lock the rigid support body into a predetermined position with respect to the aperture and / or monopile wall.

[0524] Figure 6 illustrates the installation of cable protection system with respect to an aperture in a monopile wall 600 in more detail. Figure 6 illustrates a wall 604 of a monopile 608 of a WTG. A portion 612 of the wall 604 extends into the environmental base 616. A cable extends through an aperture 624 in the wall 604. A first end of the cable 628 is secured to a first winching line 632 by a connection arrangement 636. Optionally the connection arrangement 636 is the connection of Figure 4. A Chinese-finger grip 640 secured to the first end of the cable 628 is illustrated in Figure 6. A rigid support body 644 of a CPS 648 is arranged within the aperture 624. It will be understood that the rigid support body 644 is arranged in a further position in which a desired portion 652 of the rigid support body is located within an inner cavity of the monopile. As illustrated in Figure 6, a further portion 656 of the rigid support body remains outside of the monopile and in the fluidic environment 660. It will be appreciated that the rigid support body 644 has been pulled partially into the monopile 608, from an initial first position of the rigid support body in which all of the rigid support body is located outside of the monopile, as a result of pulling the cable 620 into the monopile. The rigid support body therefore moves with the cable in an installation operation. The cable may move independently of the rigid support body in further operations, such as a cable pull-in operation. The cable 620 is pulled into the monopile 618, through the aperture 624 via a first tension on the first winching line 632 provided by a first winch 664. Due to the connection 636 between the first winching line 632 and the cable 620, a retraction of the first winching line 632 by the winch 664 provides a vertical pulling force on the cable in an upward direction. Due to the arrangement of the cable 620 through the aperture 624, at least a portion of the pulling force is translated into a longitudinal component proximate the aperture 624. An angled pulling force therefore acts on the portion of the cable proximate the aperture. Due to the angled pulling force, the cable is therefore pulled in a direction that is substantially oblique or perpendicular to the vertical pulling force through the aperture. It will be appreciated that the rigid support body 644 is pulled into the aperture 624 via this angled pulling force. As is illustrated in Figure 6, along with the rigid support body 644, the CPS 648 may include a bend stiffener, a pull-in head adaptor 676 and one or more bend restrictors 680. The first portion 652 of the rigid support body 644 may also include one or more retaining arms 684 able to retain the rigid support body 644 at the further position of the rigid support body 644. An outer sleeve may optionally cover the part or all of the surface of the further portion 656 of the rigid support body 644. Optionally the cable 620 may be secured at a hang-off clamp 692 proximate to a first end 628 of the cable 620, the hang-off clamp optionally being located in a transition piece 696 of the WTG. It will be appreciated that the portion of the cable that is located through the rigid support body at any particular instance in time is a covered portion. The covered portion is a covered region of the cable.

[0525] It will be understood that the rigid support body of Figure 6 is substantially similar to the rigid support body described with respect to Figure 5. Aptly any other suitable rigid support body may instead be utilised. Aptly a support body that is not rigid or is only partly rigid may instead be utilised.

[0526] Figure 7 illustrates another cable protection system (CPS) 704 that is arranged through an aperture 708 in a wall 712 of a WTG monopile 714. Figure 7 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the CPS 704. The CPS 704 of Figure 7 is an example of an elongate element. It will be understood that the WTG is an example of a facility. The WTG can include a monopile. The wall of the monopile is an example of a wall of a facility. It will be appreciated that the WTG (and WTG monopile) is an example of an offshore structure. As is shown in Figure 7, the CPS 704 includes a first elongate bend restricting portion 718. It will be appreciated that the first elongate bend restricting portion 718 is made from a material that is flexible. Aptly the first elongate bend restricting portion is made from a polymeric material. As shown in Figure 7, the first elongate bend restricting portion 718 is generally cylindrical and includes a through bore 722. It will be appreciated that the through bore 722 extends through the entirety of the CPS 704 and can receive a cable (that is a further example of an elongate element) so that the cable is locatable through the CPS 704. That is to say that a CPS 704 is locatable radially around a portion of a cable.

[0527] It will be appreciated that the through bore is an example of a through passageway. It will also be appreciated that the WTG is an example of a structure. It will be understood that the monopile is an example of a structure.

[0528] The CPS 704 of Figure 7 additionally includes a first tapered bend restricting portion 726. It will be understood that the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 is a progressive bend stiffener. As shown in Figure 7, the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 is substantially conical and includes a narrowed end 728 and a widened end 730. It will be understood that the through bore extending through the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 is substantially uniform and thus the body of the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 is thicker at the widened end 730 and thinner at the narrowed end 728. It will be appreciated how the thickness of the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 reduces from the widened end 730 to the narrowed end 728. It will thus be appreciated how the stiffness of the first tapered bend restricting portion is greatest at the widened end 730 and reduces towards the narrowed end 728 and thus restricts bending of a cable disposed within the CPS at a greater degree at the widened end 730 and to a lesser degree at the narrowed end 728, It will be understood that the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 is made from a flexible material, for example a polymeric material. As shown in Figure 7, the narrowed end 728 of the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 is connected to the first elongate bend restricting portion 718, the first elongate bend restricting portion 718 and the first tapered bend restricting portion being arranged in an end-to-end configuration. Alternatively, the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 and the first elongate bend restricting portion 718 may be parts of a single bend restricting element that includes the widened end 730 at a first end of the bend restricting element and the first elongate bend restricting portion at the further end of said bend restricting element. It will be appreciated that a diameter of the first elongate bend restricting portion is substantially the same as a diameter as the narrowed end 728 of the first tapered bend restricting portion. It will thus be appreciated that the thickness of the body of the first elongate bend restricting portion is substantially the same as the thickness of the body of the first tapered bend restricting portion at the narrowed end.

[0529] The CPS 704 of Figure 7 also includes a first annular bend restricting portion 734. As shown in Figure 7, the first annular bend restricting portion 734 is connected to the widened end 730 of the first tapered bend restricting portion 726. Alternatively, the first annular bend restricting portion 734 may be parts of a single bend restricting element. Figure 7 shows how the first annular bend restricting portion has a diameter that is substantially the same as a diameter of the widened end 730 of the first tapered bend restricting portion 726. It will thus be understood that the thickness of the body of the first annular bend restricting portion 734 is substantially the same as the thickness of the first tapered bend restricting portion at the widened end 730. It will be understood that the first annular bend restricting portion 734 is made from the same material that the first elongate bend restricting portion 726 and / or the first tapered elongate bend restricting portion 726 that optionally is a polymeric material.

[0530] Figure 7 additionally shows how the CPS 708 also includes a rigid support body 738 that is connected to a remaining end (the end not connected to the first tapered bend restricting portion 726) of the first annular bend restricting portion 734. It will be appreciated that the rigid support body is made from a non-flexible material, for example metal. It will be understood that the rigid support body 738 may be made from a corrosion resistant metal, for example stainless steel. Figure 7 shows how, when the CPS 708 is disposed through an aperture 708 of a monopile wall 712, the rigid support body is located through the aperture 708. That is to say a portion of the rigid support body 738 is located within the aperture 708 when the CPS 704 is disposed through the aperture 708. It will be understood that that the rigid support body 738 includes a through bore that extends from a first end 740 of the rigid support body 738 to a further end 742 of the rigid support body 738. It will be appreciated that the first end 740 of the rigid support body 738 is connected to the first annular bend restricting portion 734, optionally via a suitable connector 744.

[0531] The rigid support body 738 of Figure 7 is a substantially straight body that is substantially tubular, cylindrical and pipe-like. That is to say a primary axis or normal axis associated with the rigid support body 738 extends through the whole of the rigid support body 738. The further end 742 of the rigid support body 738 includes a outwardly extending (radially extending) flange that it sized to be greater than the aperture 708 in the monopile wall 712. The flange 742 thus prevents the CPS from being pulled into the monopile 714 beyond a predetermined position, that is the position of the flange 748. Figure 7 also shows how the rigid support body includes a number of retaining latches 752 disposed on an outer surface of the rigid support body 738. It will be understood that the retaining latches 752 are spring loaded, hinge-like, pivotable latches that are urged radially outwards by springs (or other biasing elements) disposed beneath said latches 752. The latches 752 form barb-like protrusions on the surface of the rigid support body that flare out towards the further end 742 of said rigid support body. As shown in Figure 7, the retaining latches are disposed proximate to the first end 740 of the rigid support body 738. It will be appreciated that, when the rigid support body is drawn into the monopile via the aperture 708, the monopile wall 712 around the aperture 708 urges the latches 752 down towards the support body 738 (thereby compressing the springs) so that the rigid support body can at least partly pass through the aperture 708 and into the monopile 714. It will be appreciated how, upon passing through the aperture 708, the latches 752 are each urged radially outwards and form a barb that prevents the rigid support body 738 from passing back through the aperture 708. The latches 752 thus abut against a region of the inner surface of the monopile wall 712 proximate to the aperture 708 and retain the rigid support body 738 at a position in which the rigid suppose body 738 extends through the aperture. Optionally any other suitable retaining elements can instead be utilised, for example retaining arms, spring loaded retaining balls, outwardly extending teeth and the like. The CPS 704 of Figure 7 includes a further annular bend restricting portion 756 connected to the further end 742 of the rigid support body 738. A remaining end of the further annular bend restricting portion 756 is connected to a widened end of a further tapered bend restricting portion 764, optionally via a connector 766. A further elongate bend restricting portion is connected to a narrowed end 772 of the further tapered bend restricting portion 764. It will be appreciated that the further annular bend restricting portion 756, the further tapered bend restricting portion 764 and the further elongate bend restricting portion 770 are similar to, or substantially the same as, the first annular bend restricting portion 734, the first tapered bend restricting portion 726 and the first elongate bend restricting portion 718 respectively. Optionally the further elongate bend restricting portion, the further tapered bend restricting portion and the further annular bend restricting portion may be part of a single bend restricting element.

[0532] Figure 8 illustrates a further cable protection system (CPS) 804 disposed through an aperture 806 in a wall 808 of a monopile 810. It will be appreciated that Figure 8 illustrates a top-down view of the CPS 804. The CPS 804 illustrated in Figure 8 is similar to the CPS 704 illustrated in Figure 7. The CPS 804 of Figure 8 however includes a rigid support body that include a respective cutaway portion 816, 820 on each lateral side of the body 812 (the sides that line in the 2D plane shown in the perspective view of Figure 8). A respective retaining arm 820, 824 is disposed in each of the cutaway portions 812, 816. The retaining arms 820, 824 are examples of retaining elements. The retaining arms 820, 824 are supported on the rigid support body 812 via respective connectors, for example spigot elements that extend through respective eyelets or through holes in the retaining arms 816, 820. The retaining arms can swivel with respect to the body 812. Thus, the retaining arms can swivel from a storage position where the retaining arms are disposed in a position in which the retaining arms can pass through the aperture 806 to a deployed position in which the retaining arms cannot pass through the aperture. In the storage position, the retaining arms my be, for example, locked to extend in an axis that is parallel or substantially parallel to the primary / neutral / principle axis of the rigid support body 812. In the deployed position, the retaining arms may be, for example, oriented at an angle that is oblique to the primary / neutral / principle axis associated with the rigid support body 812. It will be appreciated that the retaining arms can swivel from the storage position to the deployed position when the retaining arms are unlocked from the storage position. Optionally, the retaining arms are unlocked from the storage position by shearing breakable elements that constrain the retaining arms to be in a storage position. The CPS 804 of Figure 8 also includes a wall abutment portion 832 that limits how far the CPS 804 can be pulled into the monopile 810 via the aperture 806.

[0533] Figure 9 illustrates another cable protection system (CPS) 904 disposed through an aperture 908 in a wall 912 of a monopile 916. It will be appreciated that Figure 9 shows a top-down perspective view of the CPS 904. It will be understood that the CPS 904 illustrates in Figure 9 is substantially similar to the CPS 704 described with respect to Figure 7 and includes a rigid support body 920 that is substantially similar to the rigid support body 812 discussed with respect to Figure 8.

[0534] As shown in Figure 9, and with similarity to the CPS 704 discussed with respect to Figure 7, the CPS includes a first annular bend restricting portion 930 connected to a first end 932 of the rigid support body 920. A remaining end of the first annular bend restricting portion 930 is connected to a widened end 934 of a first tapered bend restricting portion 936. A narrowed end 938 of the first tapered bend restricting portion 938 is connected to a first elongate bend restricting portion 940 that is generally tubular. It will be appreciated that the first annular bend restricting portion 930, the first tapered bend restricting portion 938 and the first elongate bend restricting portion 940 may be distinct units that are connected together. Alternatively, some or all of the first annular bend restricting portion 930, the first tapered bend restricting portion 938 and the first elongate bend restricting portion 940 may form, or be part of, a first bend restricting element that optionally is integrally formed.

[0535] As is illustrated in Figure 9, the CPS 904 includes a further elongate bend restricting portion 950. The further elongate bend restricting portion 950 is connected, in an end-to-end configuration, to a narrowed end 952 of a further tapered bend restricting portion 954. A widened end 956 of the further tapered bend restricting portion 954 is connected to a further annular bend restricting portion 958. The further annular bend restricting portion 958 is connected to a further end of the support body 920, optionally via a connecting portion 962

[0536] It will be understood that the further annular bend restricting portion 958, the further tapered bend restricting portion 954 and the further elongate bend restricting portion 950 may be separate connected units or may form, or may be part of, a further bend restricting element that optionally is integrally formed. The further bend restricting element may also include the connecting portion 962. It will be understood that the further annular bend restricting portion 958, the further tapered bend restricting portion 954 or the further elongate bend restricting portion is substantially similar to the corresponding portions 756, 764, 770 described with respect to Figure 7 however, the further elongate bend restricting portion 950 Figure 9 is curved. That is to say that the further elongate bend restricting portion 950 of Figure 9 is non-straight and is shaped like a bent pipe or bent tube or the like. It will be appreciated that the further elongate bend restricting portion 950 curves in a direction out of the page in the perspective view shown in Figure 9 and thus helps reduce the contact forces associated with the CPS and the seabed in use.

[0537] Figure 10 illustrates another cable protection system (CPS) 1004 disposed through an aperture 1008 in a wall 1012 of a monopile 1016. It will be appreciated that Figure 10 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the CPS 1004. It will be appreciated that the CPS 1004 illustrated in Figure 10 is substantially similar to the CPS 704 illustrated in Figure 7 and includes a rigid support body 1020 that is similar to the rigid support body 812 described with respect to Figure 8. The CPS 1004 of Figure 10 thus includes a first elongate bend restricting portion, a first tapered bend restricting portion 1024, a first annular bend restricting portion 1026, a further annular bend restricting portion 1028, a further tapered bend restricting portion 1030 and a further elongate bend restricting portion 1032.

[0538] As shown in Figure 10, the CPS 1004 also includes a buoyancy element located between the rigid support body 1020 and the further annular bend restricting portion 1028. This will be described further with respect to Figure 11 .

[0539] Figure 11 illustrates a different, side on, perspective view of the CPS of Figure 10. Figure 10 illustrates how the rigid support body 1020 includes a cutaway region 1104 on a lateral side (that faces out of the page from the perspective view shown in Figure 11 ) of the body 1020. Located within the cutaway region 1104 is a retaining arm 1108 that is an example of a retaining element. The retaining arm 1108 is supported on the rigid support body 1020 via a connector 1112. It will be understood that the connector 1112 is a spigot or the like that extends through a through hole 1116 extending through the retaining arm 1108. It will be appreciated that the retaining arm 1108 is thus able to swivel with respect to the rigid support body 1020. The retaining arm 1108 is thus able to pivot and rotate about the connector 1112.

[0540] Figure 11 illustrates how a slidable latch 1120 is supported on the rigid support body the slidable latch includes a breakable connector element 1124 and an outwardly extending abutment element 1128. The slidable latch 1120 is connected to a terminal end of the retaining arm 1108 via the connector element 1124, for example a breakable pin or peg or the like. This prevents the retaining arm 1108 from rotating or swivelling with respect to the rigid support body. The connection between the retaining arm 1108 and the slidable latch 1120 thus keeps the retaining arm 1108 in a storage position as is shown in Figure 11. In this position of the retaining arm 1108, it will be appreciated that the rigid support body, including the arm 1108, can pass through the monopile aperture 1008. It will be appreciated that when a CPS 1004 of Figure 11 is pulled through an aperture 1008 in a monopile wall 1012 during installation of a submarine power cable, for example, the abutment element 1128 will abut against the outer surface of the monopile wall. Forces imparted on the abutment element by the monopile wall as the CPS is pulled (at least partially) into the monopile will thus cause the breakable connector element to break / shear and the latch to slide away from the retaining arm 1008. As the retaining arm 1008 is thereby disconnected from the latch 1120 and is free to swivel away from the storage position and towards a deployed / retaining position. It will be appreciated that in the deployed / retaining position the arm 1108 will swivel away from the storage position and thus will protrude above and / or below (from the perspective view shown in Figure 11 ) the support body. That is to say that the retaining arm will swivel into a position such that it extends out of the CPS beyond the diameter of the rigid support body. Thus, the retaining arm prevents the support body from passing back through the aperture (and out of the monopile into an external environment) by effectively widening a region of the CPS. It will be appreciated that the degree of swivel of the retaining arm is dictated by the penetration angle of the CPS into the monopile, the degree of rotation / misalignment of the CPS on its axis, on the weight of the CPS and optionally of a cable located in the CPS and also on environmental factors such as underwater currents and the like.

[0541] It will be appreciated that the rigid support body also includes a further cutaway region, retaining arm and latch on the opposite lateral side (facing into the page in the perspective view shown in Figure 11 ) that is substantially similar, or substantially the same as, those previous described with respect to Figure 11 .

[0542] Figure 11 illustrates the buoyancy element 1040 of the CPS in more detail. As shown in Figure 11 the buoyancy element 1040 is a non-uniform generally annular element that has a wider top portion (from the perspective view shown in Figure 11) and a narrower bottom portion (from the perspective view shown in Figure 11 ). The buoyancy element 1040 thus includes an oblique surface that faces the rigid support body that extends from the narrow bottom portion of the buoyancy element to the wider top portion of the buoyancy element. The oblique surface is thus a slanted end face of the buoyance element that is an abutment surface for abutting against an outer surface of a monopile wall during a cable pull-in operation and provides a stopper that prevents the CPS from being pulled any further into the monopile beyond this point.

[0543] The top portion of the buoyancy element 1040 is filled with buoyant material such as a buoyancy fluid for example air. It will be appreciated that the buoyancy provided by the top portion of the buoyancy element provides a restoring force that acts to orient the CPS so that the top (buoyant) portion of the buoyance element is on the top side of the CPS. It will be understood that the retaining arm 1108 of the CPS swivels from the storage position to the retaining / deployed position at least partly due to gravity. Thus, in some instances (when the CPS is rotationally misaligned along its axis by 90 degrees or 180 degrees and the retaining arm(s) is / are disposed on an upper and / or lower surface [relative to the seabed or environment base]), the retaining arm(s) may not correctly deploy. That is to say that the retaining arm(s) may not swivel to a position in which they are able to retain the rigid support body partly through the aperture 1008 of the monopile wall 1012. The restoring force provided by the buoyancy element helps reduce misalignment of the CPS.

[0544] The CPS of Figure 11 1004 may also include a ballast region 1130 disposed on the bottom of the rigid support body 1020 (from the perspective view shown in Figure 11). It will be appreciated that the ballast region 1130 may be a region including a heavy material. The ballast region may be a region of increased thickness of the rigid support body, for example the bottom half of the rigid support body may be thicker than the top half of the rigid support body. The ballast region provides a restoring force that cooperates with the restoring force provided by the buoyancy element to help orient the CPS correctly so that the retaining arms can deploy to retain the rigid support body through the monopile aperture.

[0545] As shown in Figure 11 , the CPS also includes a connecting portion 1150 for connecting the CPS to further elements, for example buoyancy modules or further bend restrictors. The connecting portion includes another tapered bend restricting portion.

[0546] Optionally the lower portion (from the perspective view shown in Figure 11 ) of the buoyancy element may be a ballast portion and may include a heavy and / or dense material.

[0547] Figure 12 illustrates another cable protection system (CPS) 1204 disposed through an aperture in a wall 1212 of a monopile 1216. It will be understood that Figure 12 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the CPS 1204. It will be understood that the CPS 1204 illustrated in Figure 12 is substantially similar to the CPS 704 illustrated in Figure 7 and includes a retaining arm system that is substantially similar to that the retaining arm system discussed with respect to Figure 11. However, the CPS 1204 illustrated in Figure 12 includes a rigid support body 1220 that is non-straight. This will be discussed in further detail with respect to Figure 13.

[0548] Figure 13 illustrates the CPS 1204 of Figure 12 in more detail. As illustrated in Figure 13, the CPS 1204 includes a non-straight rigid support body 1220. The CPS 1204 of Figure 13 includes a generally straight portion 1304 of the rigid support body 1220 and a non-straight portion 1308 of the rigid support body 1220. It will be appreciated that the straight portion of the rigid support body 1304 is generally cylindrical. That is to say the outer surface has a region that is substantially smooth and that falls on a curved surface of a cylinder. As shown in Figure 13, the non-straight portion 1308 of the rigid support body 1220 is shaped like a bent pipe. It will be appreciated that the non-straight portion of the rigid support body is a portion of an imaginary toroid. As illustrated in Figure 13. The non-straight portion of the rigid support body sits on an imaginary circle with radius of curvature r. As shown in Figure 13, the non- straight portion of the rigid support body includes respective termination positions at each end of the non-straight portion (that is a curved portion) that are oblique with respect to each other and that make an angle of a.

[0549] It will be appreciated that the straight portion of the rigid support body has a neutral / primary / principal axis that is linear (straight and non-curved) and extends along this axis. It will be appreciated that the non-straight (curved) portion of the rigid support body has a neutral / primary / principal axis that is curved and extends along this axis.

[0550] In an unloaded state, that is to say when only gravity forces come to bear on the rigid support body the neutral axis in a portion of the rigid support body is curved. The curve can be a plane curve and may be arcuate or parabolic.

[0551] As shown in Figure 13, the straight portion of the rigid support body includes retaining arms 1320 which function in a similar manner as is described with respect to Figure 11. It will thus be appreciated that when the CPS is retained in a position partly through the wall of the monopile via the aperture, the straight portion of the rigid support body extends though the aperture and thus a part or whole of the curved portion of the rigid support body is located inside the monopile. As shown in Figure 13, due to the curved portion of the rigid support body being disposed between bend restricting portions of the CPS, the CPS as a whole is non-straight. That is to say that a first elongate bend restricting portion 1330, a first tapered bend restricting portion 1332 and a first annular bend restricting portion 1334 are oblique to the straight portion of the rigid support body, a further annular bend restricting portion 1340, a further tapered bend restricting portion 1342, a further elongate bend restricting portion and a terminal bend restricting portion 1346 by an angle of p.

[0552] The curved portion may be a whole or part of a whole length of the rigid support body.

[0553] It will be appreciated that the maximum degree of curve of the non-straight portion of the rigid support body is dictated at the design and manufacture stage by the minimum bending radius of a cable disposed within the CPS to avoid damaging that cable. The minimum bending radius of said cable is thus equal to r. The radius of curvature of the non-straight portion of the rigid support could be greater than said minimum bend radius.

[0554] It will be appreciated that the geometry of the non-straight CPS 1204 illustrated in Figure 13 acts to provide a restoring force to the CPS to help reduce axial misalignment of a CPS during a CPS / cable pull-in operation. It will also be appreciated that the non-straight CPS illustrated in Figure 13 helps prevent urging a cable disposed within the CPS onto the seabed outside the monopile during use and thereby reduces likelihood of cable damage. This is because the curved portion of the rigid support body orients the straight portion of the rigid support body, the further annular bend restricting portion 1340, the further tapered bend restricting portion 1342, the further elongate bend restricting portion and a terminal bend restricting portion 1346 in a direction away from the seabed and further into the subsea environment.

[0555] It will be appreciated that including a rigid support body that includes a curved portion could also be arranged inside a J-tube or other structure / facility instead of through a monopile wall.

[0556] It will be appreciated that the rigid support body may instead include a hinge and thus may include two or more pivotable portions (with respect to each other). The angle of pivot of the pivotable portions could be modulated in use to control the restoring moment associated with the CPS geometry.

[0557] It will be appreciated that the bent rigid support body has a generally bend cylindrical inner surface that surrounds the bore of the body. Alternatively, any other suitable inner surface geometry may instead be utilised. It will be understood that, in the perspective view shown in Figure 13, the non-straight portion of the rigid support body is substantially arcuate. That is to say the 2D representation of the 3D bent cylinder-like non-straight portion in Figure 11 is substantially arcuate.

[0558] It will be appreciated that the degree of curvature of the bent portion of the rigid support body may be between 5 and 50 degrees, for example 45 degrees, for example 30 degrees, for example 25 degrees, for example 20 degrees, for example 15 degrees, for example 5 degrees. Optionally said degree of curvature may be greater than 50 degrees.

[0559] It will be appreciated that the distance between the centre of gravity of a cable disposed within the CPS and the centre of gravity of the CPS itself may determine a restoring moment that acts to orient the CPS as shown in Figure 11 (the concave side of the non-straight portion being a top side and the convex side of the non-straight portion being a bottom side).

[0560] It will be appreciated that a V-shaped rigid support body could be utilised to achieve a similar effect as the rigid support body of Figure 13.

[0561] As shown in Figure 13, the rigid support body includes a through passageway. It will be appreciated that the through passageway follows a longitudinal axis that optionally is a longitudinal central axis (that extends through a centre of the through passageway cross section along the length of the through passageway. It will be understood that the longitudinal axis extending though the region of the support body that is straight is also straight (as the through passageway is straight). It will be understood that the portion of the longitudinal axis extending through the curved portion of the support body is non-straight (optionally being spline or being defined / described by a spline function). It will be understood that an inner surface of the support body that extends around the through passageway follows the longitudinal axis of the through passageway.

[0562] Figure 14 illustrates a different cable protection system (CPS) 1404 disposed through an aperture 1408 in a wall 1412 or a monopile 1416. It will be appreciated that Figure 14 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the CPS. It will be appreciated that the CPS of Figure 14 is substantially similar to the CPS described with respect to Figures 12 and 13. The CPS of Figure 14 however includes a rigid support body 1420 that is curved along its major length as is further illustrated in Figure 15. Figure 15 illustrates the CPS 1404 of Figure 14 in more detail. As shown in Figure 15, the rigid support body is non-straight and is curved along its length. That is to say that the rigid support body has a neutral / primary / primary / principal axis that is curved and extends along this axis. The rigid support body can be defined as a potion of a toroid and lies on an imaginary circle as shown in Figure 15. It will be appreciated that the rigid support body 1420 of Figure 15 is substantially similar to the curved portion of the rigid support body described with respect to Figures 12 and 13. The CPS of Figures 14 and 15 is thus non straight and is similar to the non-straight CPS described with respect to Figures 12 and 13.

[0563] Figure 16 illustrates a top-down perspective view of a different cable protection system (CPS) 1604. The CPS 1604 illustrated in Figure 17 is substantially the same as the CPS 1404 illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 however the rigid support body is of a longer length and has a different radius of curvature.

[0564] Figure 17 illustrates the CPS 1604 of Figure 16 in more detail. As illustrated in Figure 17, the CPS 1604 is more curved than the CPS 1404 illustrated with respect to Figures 14 and 15 due to the longer rigid support body 1620 and larger radius of curvature of said rigid support body relative to that shown in Figure 15.

[0565] Figure 18 illustrates a top-down perspective view of a different cable protection system (CPS) 1804. The CPS 1804 illustrated in Figure 18 is substantially similar to the CPS illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 however the length of the non-straight portion 1820 of the rigid support body 1822 and the associated radius of curvature is different as illustrated in Figure 19.

[0566] Figure 19 illustrates the CPS 1804 of Figure 18 in more detail. Figure 19 is a side on perspective view of the CPS 1804 of Figure 18. As shown in Figure 19, the CPS is substantially similar to the CPS shown in Figure 13, however the non-straight (curved) portion of the rigid support body is significantly longer. The respective termination positions (at each respective end of the rigid support body) make an angle of 90 degrees and thus a first end region 1910 of the CPS 1804 is offset by an angle of 90 degrees from a further end 1920 of the CPS 1804.

[0567] Figure 20 illustrates a top-down perspective view of another cable protection system (CPS) 2004. The CPS 2004 illustrated in Figure 20 is substantially similar to the CPS 1204 illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 and the CPS 1804 illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 but has a different length of a non-straight portion 2020 of the rigid support body 2022. Figure 21 illustrates the CPS 2004 of Figure 20 in more detail. Figure 21 illustrates a side on perspective view of the CPS of Figure 20. As shown in Figure 21 , respective terminating positions at respective ends of the rigid support body make an angle of less than 90 degrees and thus a first end 2110 of the CPS extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to a direction in which a further end 2120 of the CPS extends.

[0568] Figure 22 illustrates a top-down view of a still further cable protection system (CPS) 2204. The CPS of Figure 22 is substantially similar to the CPS 2004 illustrated in Figures 20 and 21 however the rigid support body 2220 does not include any retaining elements. As shown in Figure 22, an end of the CPS disposed outside of the monopile 2225 (in the subsea environment) is weighted down via a clump weight element 2250 that optionally is a lump clamp. It will be understood that the clump weight element 2250 is a generally dome shaped body of heavy material through which a portion of the CPS extends to thereby hold this portion of the CPS on the seabed; an alternative solution would to be use a rock bag or scour protection.

[0569] Optionally the clump weight has a weight in seawater of between 2000 kg and 8000 kg.

[0570] Figure 23 illustrates a further top-down view of the CPS 2204 of Figure 23.

[0571] Figure 24 illustrates a side-on perspective view of how the CPS 2204 of Figure 22 can be arranged through an aperture 2404 in a wall 2408 of a monopile 2412. Figure 24 illustrates how the CPS includes a rigid support body 2420 that includes a straight portion and a nonstraight (or curved) portion 2428. As shown in Figure 24, the non-straight portion is located inside of the monopile and the straight portion extends though the aperture. It will be understood that the non-straight portion includes a curved neutral axis that is a primary axis upon which the non-straight portion extends. Figure 24 illustrates how the non-straight portion of the rigid support body allows the CPS to be curved. That is to say that a first end region 2440 extends in a direction that is oblique to a direction in which a further end 2445 of the CPS extends. Figure 24 shows how the curved portion the rigid support body allows the further end of the further end 2445 of the CPS to avoid undue contact with the seabed 2550 and associated stress / strain of the CPS (and a cable within the CPS) due to bending of the CPS (and cable) due to the seabed. Thus, when compared to a straight CPS (including a straight rigid support body), the CPS shown in Figure 24 reduces contact between the CPS and the seabed. It will be appreciated that this CPS arrangement allows for apertures in monopile walls to be provided at lower depths (where forces incident on the CPS are reduced) and at a distance d from the seabed that optionally may be 3.5m or less, for example 3m, for example 2m, for example 1 .5m for example 0.5m.

[0572] The geometry of the CPC shown in Figure 24 allows the CPS to sit in position through the aperture without any retaining elements supported on the rigid support body. However an optional lump clamp 2250 can be utilised to weigh the further end of the CPS down on the seabed. An optional barb 2460 can be provided on the rigid support body to prevent the rigid support body from being removed from the aperture of the monopile.

[0573] Optionally the aperture is a hole of around 350mm diameter. Optionally the rigid support body has a diameter of around 320mm. optionally the barb is around 20mm (that is to say the barb projects around 20mm from the outer surface of the support body).

[0574] It will be understood, from Figure 24, how the curved support body of the CPS helps orient a terminal end of the CPS located outside of the monopile / facility / structure (that is a cable entry point) to extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the seabed and thereby reduces aberrant forces on and bending of a cable disposed at least partly in the CPS due to contact with the seabed. Instead, the cable can extend over (or optionally slightly under) the seabed without any sharp bending being incident on a portion of the cable located outside of the monopile. Similarly, the curved support body helps orient the cable exit point (or internal end of the CPS) to extend in an upwards direction and towards a hang-off clamp of the WTG / structure to reduce aberrant bending of a cable region inside of the WTG / monopile / structure.

[0575] Figure 25 illustrates the optional barb on the rigid support body 2420 in more detail of the CPS 2204 illustrated in Figure 24 in more detail. The barb 2460 is arranged on an outer surface of the straight portion 2510 of the rigid support body and protrudes out of the body. As the straight portion of the body sits on a lower surface of the wall that defines the aperture, the barb will prevent the rigid support body from sliding out of the monopile via the aperture. The aperture may be larger than the combined diameter the rigid support body and the barb however, as the body sits at the bottom of the aperture the barb will still retain the rigid support body in the monopile. Aside from the optional barb, no retiming elements are disposed on the rigid support body illustrated in Figure 25. Figure 26 illustrates a different perspective view of the CPS 2204 of Figure 25 arranged through an aperture in a wall of a monopile.

[0576] Figure 27 illustrates another CPS 2704 including a non-straight (curved) rigid support body 2708. The CPS of Figure 27 is similar to the CPS discussed with respect to Figure 15. As shown in Figure 27, a first terminating position 2720 of the rigid support body and a further terminating position 2722 make an angle of around 30 degrees.

[0577] Figure 28 illustrates a different, top down, perspective view of the CPS 2704 of Figure 27.

[0578] Figure 29A illustrates an end-on perspective view of the CPS 2704 of Figure 27. Figure 29A illustrates how a through bore 2910extends through the CPS through which a cable can be arranged.

[0579] Figure 29B illustrates an end-on perspective view of the CPS 2704 of Figure 27. Figure 29B illustrates the centre of mass of the non-straight CPS.

[0580] Figure 30 illustrates a non-straight rigid support body 3004 in more detail. It will be appreciated that the non-straight rigid support body is shaped like a bent or curved cylinder or a bent pipe. It will be understood that a curved portion the rigid support body of Figure 30 is shaped to form a portion of an imaginary toroid and extends partly around the inner cavity of said imaginary toroid. The rigid support body includes an inner bore 3008 through which an elongate element, for example a cable, can be arranged. It will be appreciated that the rigid support body forms part of a cable protection system CPS. The rigid support body includes cutaway regions 3012 and connectors / spigots for receiving retaining arms. The rigid support body includes grooves for receiving latches for locking retaining arms in a storage configuration.

[0581] Aptly the rigid support body is made from a corrosion resistant material, for example a corrosion resistant metal or a rigid structural ferrous or non-ferrous material or polymer / composite and the like. Aptly the rigid support body is for use with subsea power cables and can withstand the weight of a subsea power cable. Aptly rigid support body has recesses for various retaining elements for example spring loaded latches and / or balls and / or retaining arms and / or retaining teeth and the like. Aptly the rigid support body weighs more than 50kg, optionally more than 400kg. Optionally the rigid support body is for subsea use and can withstand hostile subsea environments. Figure 31 illustrates a different view of the non-straight rigid support body 3004 of Figure 30 in cross section. Figure 31 illustrates how a central axis 3104 that optionally is a primary axis associated with the curved body is curved. Figure 31 illustrates how the rigid body extends along this curved axis. Figure 31 also illustrates how the rigid support body may optionally include a region of high density (or a ballast region) 3108 on the lower (convex) side of the body. It will be understood that, when submerged in water this high density / ballast region 3108 will aid in providing a restoring moment to orient the rigid support body so that the concave side of the body is an upright side of the body in use.

[0582] Figure 32A illustrates the rigid support body 3002 of Figure 30 in cross section. Figure 32A illustrates how a portion of the outer surface and / or the through passageway of the rigid support body extends along a plane curve 3204 and includes respective termination positions 3210, 3220 at each end of the body. The body shown has straight end regions so the whole body is not continually curving.

[0583] Optionally a whole length from extreme end to extreme end of the body is curved. The curve can be an arc or parabola. The curve can be a plane curve.

[0584] Optionally the rigid support body has a straight section at one or both ends of the rigid support body.

[0585] Figure 32B illustrates how the first and further terminating positions 3210, 3220 of the rigid support body 3002 are contained within imaginary planes orthogonal to the central primary axis and that are oblique and make an angle of a. Figure 32B also illustrates how the curved portion of the body has centre points falling on a plane curve 3204 that is a portion of, an imaginary circle. Optionally the plane curve is instead a portion of, and sits on, an imaginary ellipse. The angle made is between 90 degrees and 5 degrees. That is to say the curved portion can be very curved or just slightly curved.

[0586] Figure 32B also helps illustrate how the non-straight rigid support body forms a toroid portion of an imaginary toroid. It will be appreciated that the imaginary toroid extends around the imaginary circle which forms a central / major axis of the toroid (that extends around axis of symmetry of the toroid).

[0587] It will be understood that the portion of the imaginary circle that extends through the support body of Figure 32B is a longitudinal axis of the support body, that optionally is a longitudinal central axis, that is a neutral axis of the body in an unloaded state. It will be appreciated that the body shown in Figure 32B may be a curved portion of a support body that also includes non-curved portions. The longitudinal axis may be spline or may be described by a spline function.

[0588] Figure 33 illustrates a still further perspective view of the rigid support body 3004 of Figure 30. This helps illustrate how a whole outer surface of the rigid support body may not be cylindrical / toroidal but whilst a region of the outer surface does generally present a curved cylindrical surface one or more recessed regions where securing elements are to be included may break the perfect bent cylinder surface.

[0589] An open mouth is provided at each respective end of the rigid support body.. The open mouth is defined by edges of the body itself. The edges may be sharp or curved. The open mouths (one shown in Figure 33) are elliptical and in Figure 33 they are circular.

[0590] Figure 33 shows a connector for swivable arms that act as securing elements.

[0591] Figure 34 illustrates a still further perspective view of the rigid support body 3004 of Figure 30.

[0592] Figure 35 illustrates a still further view of the rigid support body 3004 of Figure 30 in cross section. Figure 35 illustrates how each end of the rigid support body includes a stepped inner surface 3510, 3520 for receiving corresponding portion of a bend restrictor portion so that a substantially uniform through bore is provided through a CPS.

[0593] Figure 35 helps illustrate a through passageway that extends all the way through the rigid support body from a first end to a remaining end. The through passageway has two wider end regions and then a central region extending between the two wider passageway end regions. The central passageway region has a central primary axis that is curved. The curve is not illustrated in Figure 35 because the view is from above and the curve is contained within a plan shown end on.

[0594] Figure 36 illustrates an end-on sectional view of the rigid support body 3004 of Figure 30.

[0595] Figure 37 illustrates a different sectional view of the rigid support body 3004 of Figure 30. Figure 38 illustrates an aperture 3804 in a wall 3808 of a monopile 3812. As shown in Figure 38, the aperture has an inner wall that is generally cylindrical and extends perpendicular to the wall of the monopile. That is to say that the aperture is not angled. It will be understood that any of the CPS arrangements including a non-straight rigid support body are suitable for use with a monopile including an aperture of the type shown in Figure 38 which is easier and cheaper to manufacture relative to angled apertures, as shown in Figure 39. Alternatively of course certain embodiments of the present invention that use a rigid support body with a curved portion can be used with more conventional angled apertures.

[0596] Furthermore, when utilising a CPS with a non-straight rigid support body, the aperture can be provided lower down a monopile than for use with a CPS including a wholly straight / linear rigid support body. This helps reduce forces imparted on the CPS. This is because, due to the non-straight rigid support body, the portion of the CPS located outside the monopile extends in an angle that is less steep (at a larger angle / more obtuse with respect to the monopile wall) relative to a CPS including a wholly straight / linear rigid support body. Thus the CPS will not adversely abut against the sea bed 3830 or other terrain obstacles at positions at which a straight conventional CPS would. The distance d between the seabed and the aperture may be less when utilising a CPS that include a non-straight rigid support body than when using a CPS including a wholly straight rigid support body. The distance d may be less than 3.5 m, and may be between 0.5 and 3 m for example 1 m. Optionally a foundation such as the monopile shown in figure 38 has an aperture with a lower extremity between 0.5m and 5m above the sea bed. Optionally the aperture is elliptical and the ellipse can be a circle. As an alternative the distance d can be the distance between a centre position associated with the aperture and the seabed.

[0597] Figure 39 illustrates how a variety of different CPS systems can be arranged through an aperture in a wall of a monopile. It will be appreciated that the monopile is an example of an offshore structure. If will be understood that the monopile is an example part of a facility. Figure 39 helps illustrate how a CPS has an internal cable exit point 3920. It will be appreciated that in use, due to the angle of the cable exit point for substantially straight CPS systems (including a substantially straight rigid support body) the cable can undergo significant forces at the cable exit point due to bending and the like. Figure 39 helps illustrate how a non- straight CPS (including a non-straight rigid support body that includes a portion that is curved) can help alleviate this problem. Figure 39 also helps illustrate how a CPS has an external cable exit point 3940 (or entry point) that optionally is a touchdown point. Figure 39 helps illustrate how interaction between the external exit point and the seabed / scour protection, due to the angle of the entry point of a substantially straight CPS (that includes a substantially straight rigid support body), can stress the cable due to bending and the like. Figure 39 helps illustrate how a non-straight CPS (including a non-straight rigid support body) can help alleviate this problem.

[0598] Figure 39 also helps illustrate how a non-straight CPS system (that includes a non-straight rigid support body) can pass through an aperture in a monopile wall that is closer to proximate terrain, that can include the seabed / scour protection (and is a distance d1 away from the seabed), than an aperture through which a substantially straight CPS (including a substantially straight rigid support body) can be located (that is a distance d2 away from the seabed and optionally is slanted by around 45 degrees relative to the monopile wall). Optionally the lower aperture is a through hole that extends perpendicular to the wall (is not slanted with respect to the wall) so that the CPS extends generally outwards from the monopile wall (optionally perpendicular to the monopile wall). Optionally d1 is between 250 to 2000 mm, optionally being between 500 and 1000 mm optionally being around 500 mm optionally being around 1000 mm. Optionally d2 is 2500 mm or above. Optionally d2 is less than 3500 mm, optionally less than 3000 mm optionally greater than 2000 mm. Aptly the distances d1 , d2, are measured to a centre point of an aperture mouth on an outside surface of the wall.

[0599] It will be appreciated that the aperture may be substantially circular and may define a generally cylindrical shape extending through the monopile wall in a direction that is perpendicular to the monopile wall. Aptly, the aperture is a cable feedthrough that optionally comprises a wall breakthrough. Aptly the cable is a sea cable that optionally is a subsea cable (optionally being a subsea power cable and the like).

[0600] Figure 40 illustrates a variety of different CPS arrangements. Figure 40 helps illustrate the effective centre of gravity (COG) 4010 for a variety of different CPS arrangements. Figure 40 helps illustrate how an imaginary axis 4020 extends between a centre point of respective ends of the CPS (that are centre points of the free ends of the two respective bend stiffeners) for a variety of CPS arrangements including a non-straight rigid support body 4030. Figure 40 helps illustrate a straight line distance 4040 that corresponds to the length of an imaginary line between the effective centre of gravity 4010 and the imaginary axis 4020 that is perpendicular to the imaginary axis. 4040. It will be appreciated that the straight line distance 4040 is associated with a respective restoring moment of a CPS arrangement and is associated with the geometry of a given CPS arrangement. It will be appreciated that maximising the moment arm helps orient the CPS during a pull-in operation. It will be appreciated how the tension in a cable and the like could affect the orientation of a CPS during a cable pull-in operation. It will be appreciated how the moment arm could help alleviate this.

[0601] It will be understood that the geometry of the CPS arrangements illustrated in Figure 40 (that are non-straight CPS arrangements including a non-straight support body) help orient the respective CPS arrangements in use (that is, when a CPS is being pulled into an aperture of a structure such as a monopile of a WTG). In such situations, the CPS is suspended on a cable extending through the CPS and thus is suspended at respective free end of the CPS (that are respective cable entry and exit points of the CPS). As shown, the respective CPS arrangements in Figure 40 include a non-straight (or curved) support body and two bend stiffener elements each secured to a respective end of the support body. It will be understood that the support body and connected bend stiffeners may be referred to as a combined support body.

[0602] As shown in Figure 40, each of the CPS (or combined support body) arrangements illustrated are curved and thus a centre of gravity 4010 of each CPS is offset from a first imaginary line 4020 that extends between a radially centre region of each end of the CPS (or combined support body) that are free ends of the respective bend stiffeners and are cable entry / exit points of the CPS. A restoring arm associated with each of the CPS arrangements of Figure 40 is determined by the length of a further imaginary line 4040 that extends from the centre of gravity 4010 to the first imaginary line 4020, and that is perpendicular to the first imaginary line 4020. It will be appreciated that, as the CPS (or combined support body) is suspended at the CPS end points during a pull-in operation, the CPS can rotate about an axis that the first imaginary line 4020 falls on. Thus, the restoring moment determined by the moment arm acts to orient the CPS so that the CPS hangs below the first imaginary line (and thus forms an upwards concave curve) in use. This helps prevent the retaining elements supported on the support body from incorrectly deploying, or failing to deploy, in use.

[0603] It will be appreciated that similar restoring moment arms are associated with each of the non- straight CPS arrangements (and the CPS arrangements that include buoyancy and / or ballast regions) described above.

[0604] Figure 41 helps illustrate how a CPS including a rigid support body that includes a curved portion can be arranged through a lower aperture in a monopile wall. Figure 41 helps illustrate how a first aperture 4110 is lower (closer to the seabed) than a further aperture 4120. Optionally the first aperture is a distance between 250 to 2000 mm away from the seabed, the distance optionally being between 500 and 1000 mm and optionally being around 500 mm or optionally being around 1000 mm. Optionally the further aperture is a distance of 2500 mm or more above the seabed and optionally the distance is less than 3500 mm or optionally is less than 3000 mm and / or optionally greater than 2000 mm. Figure 41 shows how a monopile wall may include multiple apertures. Optionally the monopile wall may only include one aperture. Optionally two, three, four, five or more apertures are included (optionally in an array). Optionally the monopile wall has a thickness of between 35 to 120 mm. Apertures in a wall of a facility can be at different heights from a surrounding terrain.

[0605] Figure 42 helps illustrate the difference of bending moment between a CPS including a substantially straight rigid support body 4210 and a CPS including a substantially non-straight rigid support body 4220 that includes a curved portion (that is non-straight).

[0606] Figure 43 illustrates how a cable can be arranged in a CPS.

[0607] Figure 44 helps illustrate an alternative aperture in a wall of a facility. It will be appreciated that the aperture shown in Figure 44 is slanted with respect to surfaces of the wall of the monopile. That is to say that the aperture (and a mid line axis 4410 associated with the aperture) is oblique to the wall of the aperture, optionally be around 45 degrees (or 135 degrees as shown). It will be understood that a variety of the CPS arrangements discussed in the present application could be utilised to pass through the aperture shown in Figure 45. Alternatively, the aperture may not be slanted with respect to the monopile wall (being substantially perpendicular to the monopile wall). It will be understood that a variety of the CPS systems discussed in the present application could be utilised to pass through such a non-slanted aperture.

[0608] It will be appreciated that any of the rigid support bodies disclosed in Figures 5 to 44 of the present application may be support bodies that are not rigid. For example, the support bodies may instead be flexible or semi-flexible support bodies that are made from polymeric material, for example polyurethane. Still furthermore they may comprise rigid internal parts and resilient or semi flexible regions that together form a single integral unitary body.

[0609] Figure 45 illustrates a different support body. It will be understood that the support body of Figure 45 can be arranged through an aperture in a structure, for example a WTG monopile, in a similar manner as has been discussed with respect to other support bodies / CPS arrangements disclosed herein. The support body 4500 of Figure 45 is a single unit formed from a similar material throughout. The support body of Figure 45 is made from a polymeric material, for example polyurethane, and thus is semi or partially flexible along its length. For example, a thicker central region 4504 of the support body is substantially rigid. The thinner ends 4508 of the support body are however flexible or semi flexible. This is because the thickness of the support body tapers inwardly from the thicker central region of the support body to the ends and thus the thickness of the support body gradually reduces towards the ends of the body. It will thus be appreciated that the end regions of the body effectively act like bend stiffeners and restrict aberrant banding of a cable located within the support body. Figure 45 illustrates how the support body 4512 includes a through passageway that extends from a first end of the body to a remaining end of the body through which a cable, or other flexible elongate element, is locatable in use.

[0610] As shown in Figure 45, the central region of the support body supports two retaining elements 4514 for retaining the body at a desired location with respect to an aperture of a structure, for example a monopile.

[0611] Figure 45 illustrates how the support body 4500 is curved. It will be appreciated that the support body is curved in a similar manner as those previously described throughout the present application. It will be appreciated that the support body 4500 of Figure 45 is a single body Cable Protection System. That is to say, Figure 45 illustrates a CPS that includes only a single body. Aptly, the support body of Figure 45 may be a rigid support body and may be a single unit that wholly forms a CPS.

[0612] Figure 46 illustrates a further support body 4600. The support body 4600 of Figure 46 is generally straight and includes non-straight or curved through passageway in which a cable is locatable. It will be appreciated, although not shown, that the support body supports one or more retaining elements on the outer surface 4608 of the support body. Optionally the retaining elements may be located on a different part of a CPS in which the support body is arranged. Figure 46 illustrates how the support body generally extends along a straight (or linear) longitudinal axis 4612 of the support body that is a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state (that is to say when no external forces are incident on the body). Aptly the longitudinal axis 4612 of the support body passes through the centre of the support body and is thus a longitudinal central axis. Figure 46 shows how an outer surface of the support body that is generally cylindrical (but may include recessed or protruding regions and the like and thus may not be perfectly cylindrical) extends around the longitudinal axis of the support body.

[0613] Figure 46 also illustrates how a longitudinal axis 4614 of the through passageway extends through the through passageway. That is to say that the through passageway extends along the longitudinal axis 4612 of the through passageway 4604. Figure 46 illustrates how the longitudinal axis of the through passageway follows a curve along the rigid support body. That is to say that the longitudinal axis of the through passageway is non-straight and is curved along the whole length of the through passageway. Aptly the longitudinal axis of the through passageway may only be curved along a portion of the length of the through passageway and may be straight along a further portion (or a plurality of further portions) of the length of the support body. Aptly, the longitudinal axis of the through passageway extends through a centre (of the through passageway cross section along the longitudinal length of the through passageway) and thus is a longitudinal central axis of the through passageway. As shown in Figure 46, a portion of the longitudinal axis of the through passageway is oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support body.

[0614] Figure 46 shows how, due to the asymmetric quantity of material of the support body on either side of the through passageway 4604 (due to the non-straight orientation of the through passageway), the centre of gravity 4616 is offset from a spatial centre of the support body. It will be understood that the offset centre of gravity can help provide a restoring moment associated with the support body that can help orient the support body in a desired orientation (with the centre of gravity disposed on a lower side of the body) when the body is suspended in use, for example during a pull-in operation where the support body is pulled into an aperture in a structure. It will thus be understood how the offset centre of gravity of the support body can help orient a CPS in which the support body is arranged.

[0615] It will be understood that, while the support body of Figure 46 includes a through passageway that curves along a whole length of the support body, the through passageway may alternatively be curved along a portion of the support body.

[0616] It will be appreciated that the support body of Figure 46 may be a rigid support body or may be a non-rigid (for example a flexible or partially flexible) support body.

[0617] Figure 47A illustrates a CPS 4700 including the support body 4600 of Figure 46. The CPS 4700 of Figure 47A includes a generally straight support body (that extends along a straight or linear longitudinal axis). A non-straight through passageway 4704 extends through the support body 4700 from a first end 4708 of the support body to a remaining end 4712 of the support body. Respective bend stiffeners 4716, 4720 are arranged at either end of the support body so that the through passageway at the ends of the support body spatially correlate with respective through passageways of each bend stiffener. That is to say that the through passageways of the support body and bend stiffeners are arranged to provide a through bore along a whole length of the CPS through which an elongate flexible element is locatable. As shown in Figure 47A, the respective bend stiffeners 4716 and 4720 are disposed such that they each extend in a direction that is oblique to the other.

[0618] Figure 47B illustrates a further CPS 4750. The CPS of Figure 47B is substantially similar to the CPS illustrated in Figure 47A. That is to say that the CPS illustrated in Figure 47B includes a substantially straight support body 4754 through which a non-straight through passageway 4758 extends. Respective bend stiffeners 4762, 4766 are arranged in the CPS at respective ends of the through passageway. Figure 47B illustrates how the through passageway 4758 of the support body of Figure 47B is more curved (has a lower radius of curvature) than the through passageway of Figure 47A.

[0619] Figure 48A illustrates a further support body 4800 that can at least partially form a CPS. As shown in Figure 48A, the support body 4800 is non-straight. That is to say that a longitudinal axis 4804 of the support body 4800, that is a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state and optionally is a longitudinal central axis of the body, upon which the support body extends is curved (and is thereby non-straight). The longitudinal axis falls on a spline. That is to say that the longitudinal axis is defined by, or is described by, a spline function. The support body shown in Figure 48A is wholly curved along its length. That is to say that the longitudinal axis of the body curves along the whole length of the body. Optionally, the longitudinal axis may only curve along a portion of the whole length of the support body.

[0620] Figure 48A illustrates how a through passageway 4808 extends from a first end 4810 of the support body to a further end / remaining end 4812 of the support body. Figure 48A illustrates how the through passageway 4808 is associated with, and extends along, a longitudinal axis 4816 of the through passageway. The longitudinal axis optionally extends through the cross sectional centre of the through passageway along the whole length of the through passageway and thus is a longitudinal central axis of the through passageway. The longitudinal axis of the through passageway is straight (non-curved) along the length of the through passageway and thus the through passageway is straight (non-curved) along the length of the support body. The longitudinal axis of the through passageway is thus oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support body along at least some of the whole length of the support body. As is shown in Figure 48A, the curved support body and straight through passageway results in a asymmetric amount of material that forms the support body on either side of the longitudinal axis of the support body. Thus, the centre of gravity 4820 of the rigid support body is spatially offset from the spatial centre of the support body which can help orient the support body (into a desired orientation) in use.

[0621] Figure 48B illustrates a different support body 4824. The support body 4824 of Figure 48B is substantially similar to the support body shown in Figure 48A however the through passageway 4828 extends along a different longitudinal axis 4832 than the passageway shown in Figure 48A. It will be appreciated that the through passageway may extend along any other suitable longitudinal axis.

[0622] Figure 48C illustrates a CPS 4850 including the support body 4800 of Figure 48A. It will be understood that a similar CPS can be provided utilising the support body 4824 shown in Figure 48B, or any other similar support body. As shown in Figure 48C, respective bend stiffeners 4854, 4858 are disposed on respective ends of the support body 4800 to that the through passageway 4808 of the support bod coincides with respective through passageways that extend through the bend stiffeners to provide a combined through passageway that extends wholly through the CPS. It will be appreciated that a flexible elongate member such as a hose, cable, tube, umbilical, pipe and the like can be arranged in the combined through passageway of the CPS.

[0623] Figure 49 illustrates how an aperture 4900 can be arranged in a wall 4904 of monopile 4908 beneath a level of the environmental bed 4912. It will be appreciated that the environmental bed may be the seabed in an offshore environment. It will be appreciated that the monopile is an example of a structure. As shown in Figure 49, the aperture extends substantially perpendicularly to a major axis 4916 associated with the monopile wall. That is to say that the aperture is of a generally cylindrical shape that extends perpendicularly to the major axis associated with the wall. A longitudinal axis 4920 associated with the aperture thus also extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the wall. It will however be understood that the aperture may instead be angled and may extend at an angle that is oblique with respect to the axis associated with the monopile wall. This angle is optionally around 45 degrees or around 30 degrees or around 20 degrees or around 15 degrees. The aperture shown in Figure 49 is a generally tubular aperture that has a circular cross section and is provided through the wall by drilling and / or punching and the like.

[0624] It will be appreciated that a curved CPS, that may include a curved support body and / or a curved bend stiffener element, can be utilised with the aperture shown in Figure 49. It will be appreciated that, in use, an end of a curved CPS (disposed outside of the wall) may point generally outwards from the monopile wall (perpendicular to the monopile wall) and a remaining end of a curved CPS (disposed within the monopile) will point generally upwards towards the hang-off clamp. Thus, the orientation provided by a non-straight CPS helps reduce aberrant bending of a cable (or any other flexible elongate member) disposed through the CPS at the entry point (at the end of the CPS located outside of the monopile) and exit point (at the end of the CPS disposed within the monopile).

[0625] It will be understood that, in use, a monopile wall aperture that is disposed below the environmental bed helps alleviate aberrant bending of a cable (and associated fatigue of the cable due to said bending) due to forced contact between the cable and the seabed at or near the cable entry point of the CPS. This is because the portion of the CPS and cable that is disposed outside of the monopile extends into / under the environmental bed and thus the cable is not forced into contact with an upper surface of the seabed.

[0626] It will be appreciated that, prior to arranging a CPS at least partly beneath the environmental bed, a region of the environmental bed may be excavated using an excavator or trenching machine or the like to provide a trench of desired depth in the seabed. It will be appreciated that the trench can be formed to be deep enough to expose the aperture in the wall of the monopile that is to be disposed beneath the environmental bed. The trench may be excavated a predetermined distance from the monopile to, for example, 5m away from the monopile or up to around 50m away from the monopile. The CPS (and cable) can then be pulled into the monopile via the aperture and the CPS can be retained at a desired position with respect to the aperture. Once the CPS and cable is in place (the CPS being retaining at a desired position with respect to the aperture via retaining elements or the like and the cable being secured to a hang off clamp of the structure), the trench may be back filled in some way (for example with scour protection to protect the cable) so that the aperture is disposed below the environmental bed. Filling the trench may effectively lock the CPS and the cable in place.

[0627] Including an aperture beneath the environmental bed helps reduce or even eliminate any freespan area (where the CPS and / or cable are able to move outside of a monopile or similar structure in use). It will be understood how environmental factors such as currents and tides an the like can impart forces on exposed CPS and / or cable regions in such a freespan area which can cause cable motion and fatigue. Reducing the freespan area, for example by burying portions of the cable and CPS, thus helps reduce cable fatigue. Thus, providing an aperture in a wall of a monopile at a position that is below (or low down relative to conventional techniques) a level of an environmental bed helps reduce cable fatigue.

[0628] Figure 49 illustrates the distance d between a central point of a monopile aperture and a seabed surface region. Aptly the distance d is between 0.5m to 5m, for example 1 m, for example 2m, for example 3m.

[0629] Figure 50 illustrates a plot of cable fatigue life against cable arc length (cable distance from the hang off clamp) for a system that includes a straight CPS 5000 and for a system that includes a non-straight CPS 5010 (that may for example include a curved support body). Figure 50 shows how a system including a straight CPS includes two distinct cable fatigue points 5020, 5030 along the cable arc length. These two fatigue points relate to the exit and entry points associated with the CPS. In particular, the entry point represents the maximum fatigue point associated with a cable utilised in a system that includes a straight CPS. This minimum may be associated with cable motion due to environmental effects and contact with the seabed and the like.

[0630] Figure 50 illustrates how, throughout the cable arc length between the hang off clamp and the burial depth (where the cable is buried in the seabed outside of the monopile), a cable has a lower fatigue lifetime when utilised with a straight CPS compared with a curved CPS. That is to say that utilising a non-straight (curved) CPS increases cable fatigue life at all points along the cable arc length between the hang off clamp and burial depth compared to using a straight CPS. This is at least partly due to the geometry of a curved CPS reducing aberrant bending of a cable along its length.

[0631] Figure 51 illustrates a CPS 5100, that includes a non-straight bend stiffener element 5104, extending through an aperture 5108 in a wall 5112 of a structure 5116. As shown in Figure 51 , the CPS includes a support body 5120 (that optionally is a rigid support body) secured to respective bend stiffener elements 5104, 5124 each located at a respective end of the support body. The support body shown in Figure 51 is a straight support body (that is to say a longitudinal axis of the support body that is a neutral axis of the support body in an unloaded state is straight). Put another way the innate state of the straight body is that it follows a straight path along its central major axis.. It will be appreciated however that the support body illustrated in Figure 51 may be non-straight or curved, that is to say that a longitudinal axis associated with the rigid support body (that is a neutral axis associated with the support body in an unloaded state) for at least a portion of the whole length of the support body is nonstraight or is curved or falls on a spline. Put another way the innate state is that at least a portion of the length of the body is curved.

[0632] As shown in Figure 51 , the support body supports a plurality of retaining elements 5128 that are wall engaging elements and that engage with an inner surface of the wall to thereby retain the CPS at a desired location with respect to the aperture. The retaining elements shown in Figure 51 are retaining arms that can swivel however spring-loaded latches and / or balls could alternatively or additionally be utilised.

[0633] As shown in Figure 51 , the bend stiffener element that is disposed within the structure (that optionally is a WTG monopile) is substantially straight. Optionally this bend stiffener is nonstraight and is curved / falls on a spline (or is defined by a spline function).

[0634] Figure 51 also helps illustrate how the bend stiffener element that is disposed outside of the monopile is non-straight. It will be appreciated that the bend stiffener element is curved or falls on a spline (or is defined by a spline function). Thus, at least by virtue of the non-straight bend stiffener, the CPS shown in Figure 51 is non-straight. It will be appreciated that a longitudinal axis of the non-straight bend stiffener (that is a neutral axis of the non-straight bend stiffener in an unloaded state) upon which the bend stiffener extends is non-straight (and is curved or falls on a spline) at least along a portion of the length of the bend stiffener.

[0635] Figure 51 shows how the non-straight bend stiffener of the CPS shown in Figure 51 helps orient the cable at the free end of the bend stiffener (that is a cable entry point of the CPS) more away from the seabed relative to a straight CPS arrangement. It will thus be appreciated how utilising a CPS including a non-straight bend stiffener (outside of the structure) increases the distance between the CPS and a contact point of the cable with the seabed. This helps reduce forces imparted on the cable and aberrant bending of the cable due to contact with the seabed which helps increase the fatigue life of a cable.

[0636] Figure 52 illustrates a perspective view of a CPS 5200, including a non-straight external bend stiffener element 5204, disposed through an aperture 5208 of a wall 5212 of a structure 5216 that optionally is a WTG monopile. As shown in Figure 52, the non-straight bend stiffener curves so as to orient a cable entry point 5220 of the CPS (that is a terminal end of the CPS and a free end of the non-straight bend stiffener element) to be substantially parallel with the seabed and thus reduces contact forces and bending associated with cable contact with the seabed. Thus, a cable located through a through passageway of the CPS can lie on the seabed outside of the structure, and is not forced into / onto the seabed surface.

[0637] Figure 52 also illustrates how a short, straight support body 5224 is arranged through the aperture and to an end of which the non-straight bend stiffener element is connected. Figure

[0638] 52 further illustrates how a region of the non-straight bend stiffener is weight down onto the seabed by a weight clamp 5228. It will be appreciated that the weight clamp helps reduce motion of the CPS due to environmental factors such as current and / or tides which may act to reduce fatigue life of the CPS and / or a cable arranged through the CPS.

[0639] Figure 53 illustrates a different perspective view of the CPS 5200 of Figure 52. Figure 53 illustrates how the CPS include a further non-straight bend stiffener 5304 connected to a remaining end of the support body 5224 and that is located within the structure 5216. Figure

[0640] 53 helps illustrate how the curvature of the further non-straight helps orient a cable exit point 5308 of the CPS (that is an end of the CPS located within the structure and is a free end of the further non-straight bend stiffener element) towards the hang-off clamp of the structure thereby reducing aberrant bending of a cable within the structure. Figure 53 helps illustrate how a cable 5320, that is an example of an elongate flexible member, exits the cable exit point of the CPS.

[0641] In some prior art structures, a dynamic bend stiffener is sometimes oriented 90 degrees to a bulkhead and thus the cable gets forced to the side, especially in floating offshore wind platforms. This creates a fatigue hotspot and the curved bend stiffener(s) illustrated in Figures 52 and 53 may help stop this stress concentration, particularly in offshore floating wind structures and FPSOs.

[0642] Figure 53 further helps illustrate how the further non-straight bend stiffener includes a plurality of retaining elements 5230. It is noted that, in the CPS of Figures 52 and 53, no retaining elements are supported on the support body and instead the retaining elements are located on the further non-straight bend stiffener element (located within the structure in use). As shown in Figure 53, the retaining elements are a plurality of splines that are disposed circumferentially around and end of the further non-straight bend stiffener that is connected to the support body. The splines optionally are spines or are spine like. The splines extend laterally along a portion of the further bend stiffener (that is to say that the splines extend along a region of the outer surface of the further bend stiffener in a direction parallel with a major / longitudinal axis of the region of the further bend stiffener). The splines are optionally fins or are fin-like and each comprise a wall engagement surface on an end region of the splines. Figure 53 helps illustrate how a plurality of splines engage against the inner surface of the structure wall to thereby retain the CPS at a desired location with respect to the aperture.

[0643] It will be appreciated that the splines are made from a deformable material and are thus resiliently deformable. When the CPS is urged into and partially through the aperture, the splines deform due to the aperture diameter being smaller than the diameter of the region of the stiffener that includes the splines. The splines are thus squashed into cavities on each side (circumferentially) of the splines. It will be appreciated that the splines will tend to react any external tension load on multiple splines thereby robustly retaining the CPS through the aperture.

[0644] Alternatively, one of more latch fingers (that are resiliently deformable) arranged circumferentially around the further non-straight bend stiffener can be utilised instead of the splines. The latch fingers may extend radially outwards and may extend in a direction oblique to the primary longitudinal axis associated with the straight rigid support body so that the latch fingers form a conical shape that flares out towards the rigid support body. It will be understood that the flared-out side of the latch fingers may provide an engagement surface for engaging with an inner surface of a structure wall for retaining the CPS at a desired location with respect to the structure. It will be understood that the latch fingers may be deformable radially inwardly when the fingers are urged through the aperture.

[0645] Figure 53 illustrates how, despite including a short straight support body, a non-straight and curved CPS is provided via the non-straight bend stiffeners.

[0646] Figure 54 illustrates the splines 5230 shown in Figure 53 in more detail. Figure 54 illustrates how the splines each are fin-like and flare out towards the rigid support body (or the fixed end of the further bend stiffener element). Figure 54 also shows how a wall engagement surface of each spline, on a rear end of each spline, can abut against the inner surface of the wall tot thereby retain the CPS at a desired location with respect to the aperture. Figure 55 illustrates a top-down perspective view of the CPS 5200 illustrated in Figures 52 to 54. Figure 55 helps illustrate how the relatively short, straight support body extends through the aperture of the structure wall.

[0647] Figure 56 illustrates a schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 55.

[0648] Figure 57 illustrates a side-on schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 56 located through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

[0649] Figure 58 illustrates a further schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 57.

[0650] Figure 59 illustrates a side on view of the splines of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 58.

[0651] Figure 60 illustrates an end on schematic view of the splines of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 59.

[0652] Figure 61 illustrates a different schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 60. Figure 61 helps illustrate how a through passageway 6104 extends through the support body and both non-straight bend stiffeners to thereby extend through the whole CPS. It will be appreciated that a cable (that is an example of an elongate flexible member) is locatable through the through passageway.

[0653] Figure 62 illustrates an end-on schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 61 .

[0654] Figure 63 illustrates a further end-on schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 62.

[0655] Figure 64 illustrates a top-down schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 63.

[0656] Figure 65 illustrates a bottom-up schematic view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 64.

[0657] Figure 66 illustrates how a restoring moment is provided by the geometry of the non-straight CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 64. As shown in Figure 66, the curved CPS 5200 has a centre of gravity 6610 that is separated / offset from a first imaginary line 6620 that extends between respective free ends 6640 of the CPS (that are the cable entry and exit points respectively). A moment arm 6650 is determined by the length of a further imaginary line 6655 that extends between the centre of gravity and the first imaginary line, and that is perpendicular to the first imaginary line, It will be understood that, when the CPS is suspended in use (in a cable pull in operation), the restoring moment determined by the geometry if the CPS acts to orient the CPS such that the curved CPS is an upward concave curve. It will be appreciated that the CPS is suspended via the cable at the cable entry and exit points of the CPS when the CPS is pulled into a structure via an aperture and thus orienting the CPS includes partially rotating the CPS about and axis that lines on the first imaginary line.

[0658] Figure 67 illustrates a further top down perspective view of the CPS 5200 of Figures 52 to 66

[0659] Figure 68 illustrates a side on cross section view of the CPS of Figures 52 to 67.

[0660] It will be understood that the minimum bend radius of a cable that can be arranged in the CPS arrangements discussed in the present application may be around 0.5 m to 7 m.

[0661] It will be appreciated that an inter-array cable for a WTG may be arranged through the CPS arrangements discussed in the present application that may have a minimum bend radius of 0.5 m to 5 and may have a diameter of between 80mm to 150mm. It will be appreciated that an interconnector cable may be arranged though the CPS arrangements discussed in the present application that may have a diameter of between 150mm to 300mm and may have a minimum bend radius of between 2m to 10m.

[0662] It will be appreciated that the respective angles noted a in Figures 13, 15, 17 and 21 may be between 5 degrees and 90 degrees.

[0663] Figure 69 illustrates another Cable Protection System (CPS) arrangement 6900. The CPS arrangement 6900 shown is arranged through an aperture 6904 in a wall 6908 of a structure 6912. It will be understood that the CPS 6900 shown in Figure 69 is arranged at a desired position with respect to the aperture 6904 (and also with respect to the wall 6908). It will be appreciated that the CPS 6900 extends through the wall 6908 so that a portion of the CPS 6900 extends through (and thus is located within) the aperture 6908. Thus, a portion of the CPS 6900 is located outside of the structure 6912 while a portion of the CPS 6900 is located inside of the structure. The structure 6900 shown in Figure 69 is a monopile, which is a foundation for supporting a turbine portion and / or a transformer and / or substation and / or nacelle and / or rotor and / or one, two, three, four, five or more turbine blades and / or any other suitable component of a wind turbine generator (WTG), for example an offshore WTG. The structure 6912 shown in Figure 69 could of course instead be any other structure, for example a Caisson or J-Tube or any other WTG foundation or similar structure or the like. Figure 69 illustrates how the CPS 6900 includes a support body 6916. The support body 6916 is the portion of the CPS 6900 that (when the CPS 6900 is installed at a desired position with respect to the aperture 6904 and / or the wall 6908, that is a retained position of the CPS 6900 wherein the CPS is retained with respect to the structure in at least one direction after deployment / installation of the CPS) extends through the aperture 6904. That is to say, in the position shown in Figure 69, a portion of the support body 6916 is located in the aperture 6904. The aperture 6904 indicated in Figure 69 extends wholly through the wall 6908. That is to say that the aperture 6908 is a through hole that extends through the wall 6908, and thus has a depth. The aperture is optionally disposed around 2.5 metres above the seabed.

[0664] The support body 6916 shown in Figure 69 is a rigid support body and is made from a rigid material. The rigid material may be stainless steel or the like. Alternatively, any other suitable material could be utilised, for example a rigid polymer. Alternatively, the support body 6916 may not be rigid and may, for example, be flexible or semi-flexible (being made, for example from a flexible or semi-flexible polymer). It will be appreciated that an outer region 6936, that is a region outside of the structure, is an environment that optionally is a subsea environment. It will be appreciated that the aperture 6904 is a through hole extending along a longitudinal axis that is oblique with respect to the direction along which the wall 6908 extends and is also oblique with respect to an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the wall 6908. In the arrangement shown in Figure 69, the angle 9 that an imaginary line extending along a longitudinal axis of the aperture, along which the aperture extends, makes with the wall is around 45 degrees. Optionally this may be any other angle, for example between 0 and 90 degrees, for example between 15 and 60 degrees. That is to say that the aperture 6904 is oblique (or is slanted) with respect to the wall 6908. The support body 6916 when located through the aperture 6912 thus is also oblique with respect to the wall (the support body being arranged to extend along the longitudinal axis of the aperture). Figure 69 shows how respective retaining elements 6938 are arranged circumferentially around the support body 6916. The retaining elements (as show in Figure 69), when deployed, abut against an inner surface of the structure wall to help retain the support body 6916 (and thus the CPS 6900) with respect to the structure wall (and with respect to the aperture). The abutment of the retaining elements with the structure wall alongside the geometry of the aperture help orient the retaining member (and thus the support body) at a complimentary angle with regard to the aperture 1904. It will be appreciated that the retaining elements shown are latches however other retaining elements (for example the swivelable retaining arms illustrated in Figures 6 and 11 or different latches or spring-loaded grab balls or the like) supported on the support body could alternatively or additionally be utilised. Figure 69 illustrates how the CPS 6900 includes a bend stiffener element 6940 that is located outside of the structure 6912 (when the CPS 6900 is retained with respect to the structure 6912 as illustrated in Figure 69). A first end 6944 of the bend stiffener element 6940 is secured to an end of the support body 6916. The bend stiffener element 6940 includes a generally tubular body 6940 that is non straight in an unloaded state. That is to say, in the absence of forces that would cause the bend stiffener element 6940 to bend, the tubular body 6948 is non-straight. The bend stiffener element 6940 is non-straight in an unloaded state. That is to say that a longitudinal neutral axis 6952 of the tubular body 6948 and / or the bend stiffener element 6940 is non-straight when the bend stiffener element 6940 and / or the tubular body 6948 is in an unloaded (or non-loaded) state. The tubular body 6948 (and bend stiffener element 6940 itself) is curved in an unloaded state. The longitudinal neutral axis 6952 is curved in an unloaded state. The tubular body 6948 is made from a polymeric material. Optionally the body 2648 may be made from any other suitable material. The bend stiffener element of Figure 69 is a progressive stiffener and is less flexible at the first end 6944 than at a remaining end 6956. Thus, the flexibility of the progressive stiffener increases towards a remaining end 6956 of the progressive stiffener. It will be understood that any other bend stiffener element could instead be utilised. It will be appreciated that a through passageway extends through the bend stiffener 6940 through which a subsea cable (that is an example of an elongate flexible member) can be located in use. It will thus be appreciated how the bend stiffener element 6940 gradually, from the remaining end 6956 to the first end 6944, reduces the degree to which a cable extending through the bend stiffener element 6940 can bend. It will be appreciated that the through passageway extends along the longitudinal neutral axis 6952 of the bend stiffener element 6940. It will be appreciated that the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940, in an unloaded state, has a radius of curvature R. This radius of curvature is above a minimum acceptable bend radius for a particular subsea cable to be located through the bend stiffener element in use and helps prevent damage to the cable from excessive bending and / or point loading or the like (for example due to contact with an environmental base, such as a seabed, or the like). Aptly the radius of curvature R is between around 0.5 to 10 m. Aptly a length of an imaginary line extending along the longitudinal neutral axis 6952 from the first end 6944 to the remaining end 6956 is between 5 and 10 m, optionally being around 6 m.

[0665] Figure 69 helps illustrate how the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 extends away from the structure 6912 and is oriented so that the remaining end 6956 curves away from an environmental basin 6960 (for example a seabed) in / on which the structure 6912 is arranged. That is to say that the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 is oriented such that the remaining end 6956 (that is an end of the bend stiffener element 6940 most distal to the structure 6912) curves towards an imaginary horizontal plane, the imaginary horizontal plane being perpendicular to the wall 6912 and being located above the remaining end 6956. That is to say that the bend stiffener element 6940 is oriented such that a convex side of the bend stiffener element is a lower side of the bend stiffener element (from the perspective view shown in Figure 69) and is most proximate to the seabed, while a concave side of the bend stiffener element is an upper side of the bend stiffener element (from the perspective view shown in Figure 69) and is distal from the seabed. The bend stiffener element 6940 shown in Figure 69 curves so that the remaining end 6956 extends in a direction that is away from the structure and perpendicular to the structure 6908. That is to say, the bend stiffener element 6940 of Figure 69 is arranged so that the remaining end 6956 extends away from the wall 6908 at an angle of around 90 degrees to the wall 6908. It will however be appreciated that the bend stiffener element 6940 may curve so that the remaining end 5956 extends away from the wall at an oblique angle with respect to the wall that is less than 90 degrees, for example between around 45 and 89 degrees, for example between around 50 and 80 degrees, for example around 60 degrees or around 70 degrees or the like. It will be appreciated that such considerations may depend on the geometry of the environmental basin 6960 (for example if a seabed has troughs or trenches or valleys or the like) or if it is desired that an external portion of a CPS or cable is to be buried in the environmental basin or the like. It will be appreciated that, optionally, the bend stiffener may be located beneath a surface of the seabed, the support body passing through a wall aperture that is located beneath the seabed. The non-straight bend stiffener element may be referred to simply as a bend stiffener element.

[0666] It will be appreciated that using a non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 increases the distance d between the touch-down point 6966 and the structure 6908 relative to an imaginary touch-down point that is an intersection point between an imaginary straight line extending between the support body 6908 and the seabed 6960 that follows the longitudinal axis associated with the support body 6916. It will be understood however that the support body illustrated in Figure 69 (and thus the CPS) is able, to a degree, to rotate or pivot in the aperture 6904 extending through the structure wall 6908. This is due to the geometry of the aperture with respect to the support body, the aperture often being wider than a diameter of at least part of the support body (so that this part of the support body can extend into / through the aperture). Similarly, apertures having an oval or elliptical shape (apertures having a cross section that substantially forms an oval or ellipse) can permit a generally cylindrical support body (having a generally circular cross section) to pivot at least in an upwards and downwards Ill direction (towards the end points of the major axis of the elliptical cross section). Utilisation of a straight bend stiffener element (instead of the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 illustrated in Figure 69) can, due to abutment between an end of the straight bend stiffener element and the seabed, force the support body to pivot in the aperture to axially misalign a longitudinal axis of the support body and a longitudinal axis of the aperture. It will be understood that this can cause the angle that a longitudinal axis of the support body makes with the wall to change. For example, this could cause the support body to deviate its position with respect to the wall so that an angle that the longitudinal axis of the support body makes with the wall (the angle being between the support body axis and the inner surface of structure wall above the axis) is not equal to the angle 9 that a longitudinal axis of the aperture makes with the wall (the angle 9 being between the inner surface of the wall at a region of the wall above this aperture axis). The angle that the longitudinal axis of the support body makes with the wall may thus be greater than angle 9 when using a straight bend stiffener element. This effect is pronounced for stiffer (or more rigid) straight external bend stiffener elements, and often stiffer bend stiffener elements are required for larger and heavier cables (such as the submarine cables sometimes utilised in offshore applications). Of course, in use, environmental conditions might also cause the support body to move in the aperture and thus environmental conditions could also act to, at least intermittently, axially misalign the support body axis and aperture axis. It will be understood that the ability of the CPS of Figure 69 to pivot in the aperture can permit the external bend stiffener to extend further out of the structure which increases the distance between the structure and the touch-down point. This increases a free-span region associated with the CPS. As some submarine cable diameters have increased, some CPS external and internal diameters have additionally increased which has sometimes resulted in some stiffer external stiffeners. At some aperture heights (for example at around 2.5 metres above the seabed), rotation / pivoting of the support body in the aperture changes the entry angle of the support body (and CPS) into the structure. This entry angle may be a relatively shallow entry angle. This can result in the CPS extending further in a free- span region and results in the touch-down point being moved further away from the structure.

[0667] Thus, it will be understood how using a non-straight (or curved) bend stiffener element 6940, such as the bend stiffener element illustrated in Figure 69, decreases the distance between the touch-down point and the structure relative to utilisation of a bend stiffener element that is straight, in an unloaded state. Thus, utilisation of a non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 reduces a free-span region 6968 associated with the CPS which helps reduce forces on the bend stiffener element 6940 (and thus also on a cable disposed therein) at a touch down point 6964 relative to utilisation of a straight stiffener element 6940 (which would have an associated touch down point closer to the structure). Utilisation of a non-straight bend stiffener element, as shown in Figure 69, thus helps limit forces imparted on the CPS and / or cable at the touchdown point and thus helps reduce a risk of failure of these components. Furthermore, utilisation of such a bend stiffener element 6940 helps reduce the area that the CPS can be swept through (or moved through) due to external forces and / or helps reduce the excursion associated with the cable and / or CPS (see Figure 82). It will be appreciated how this can help reduce potentially damaging abrasion imparted on the CPS, particularly at or near the touchdown point and / or where the CPS support body contacts the wall of the structure (at the aperture). Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a portion of the CPS that is in contact with the seabed (for example the remaining end 6956 or further CPS components coupled to the remaining end) may be weighed down on the seabed for example via one or more clamps or rocks or the like. It will be understood how motion of the unsupported CPS in the free-span region 6968 can cause severe abrasion where the CPS is weighed down on the seabed (and may be effectively secured to the seabed). Reducing the free-span, which helps reduce such movement, thus can help reduce abrasion. Furthermore, reducing the free-span, for example via utilisation of the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 of Figure 69 can help reduce forces at a point where a cable exits the CPS (or bend stiffener element) which can be a focal point for forces and can result in cable damage.

[0668] This region, between the touch-down 6966 point and the structure 6908 is sometimes referred to as the free-span region 6968, and the length of the CPS that is in this region (and is effectively in suspension between the structure and the seabed) is sometimes known as the free-span length. It will be appreciated how the free-span length is subject to movement as it is not retained between the structure 6908 and the seabed 6960. Currents and tides and the like can cause the CPS 6900 to move in this region which can stress CPS components and cables and can cause damage to such components at the touchdown point 6964 or around the aperture 6904 (where the CPS 6900 is suspended). Reducing the free-span length can help reduce forces imparted on the components where the CPS 6900 is supported (at the seabed 6960 and at the structure 6908). It will be appreciated that, in order to limit the forces imparted on the CPS 6900 (and cable), for example at the touch-down point 6964,, the distance d between the structure 6908 and the touch-down point 6964 can be decreased.

[0669] It will be understood that, should a straight external bend stiffener element be utilised, instead of the curved bend stiffener element shown in Figure 69, and should an aperture that is angled in the same or a similar manner to the aperture 6904 illustrated in Figure 69 be utilised, it can sometimes be necessary to increase the height of the aperture 6904 (relative to the seabed 6960) to increase the distance d between the touch-down point 6964 and the structure 6908. This inevitably increases the tree-span length of the CPS (the length of the CPS in the treespan region). This can result in increased fatigue on the CPS and (cable). It will thus be appreciated that utilisation of a non-straight bend stiffener element 6940, as illustrated in Figure 69, reduces the tree-span length of the CPS 6900 whilst also reducing the forces incident on the CPS 6900 (and therefore on a cable located through the CPS 6900) due to abutment between the CPS 6900 and the seabed 6960. Utilisation of a non-straight external bend stiffener element 6940 helps maintain an acceptable distance d between the touch-down point 6964 and the structure 6910. This can help prevent aberrant bending of the bend stiffener element 6940 (and thus of a cable) does not occur (for example bending a cable beyond its minimum acceptable bend radius). Furthermore, this can help limit unwanted motion of the CPS as the free-span region is reduced.

[0670] Figure 69 further illustrates how the CPS 6900 includes a protective member 6972 secured to the remaining end 6956 of the bend stiffener element 6940 via a clamp body 6976. It will be appreciated that the protective member 6972 is for protecting a cable from damage (such as abrasion etc) due to external elements for example rocks and the like. The protective member illustrated in Figure 69 is an articulated metal member that is able to partially flex. Alternatively, any other suitable protective member may be utilised. Aptly the protective member may be made from any other suitable material. It will be appreciated that the protective member may be covered with scour protection for example and / or rocks or the like to help limit movement of the CPS on the seabed.

[0671] Figure 70 illustrates a different perspective view of the CPS arrangement 6900 illustrated in Figure 69. Figure 70 illustrates how the support body 6916 extends through an aperture 6904 in a wall 6908 in a structure 6912. It will be appreciated that two, three four, five or any other number of apertures may be located through the wall 6908 and that one or more CPSs may be located through any apertures. Figure 70 further illustrates how the non-straight bent stiffener 6940 extends between the wall 6908 and the seabed 6960 outside of the structure 6912. Figure 70 further illustrates how the protective member 6972 extends along the seabed 6960.

[0672] Figure 71 illustrates the CPS arrangement 6900 of Figure 69 in cross section. As illustrated in Figure 71 , the protective member 6972, the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 and the support body 6916 each include respective through passageways 7104, 7108, 7112. The through passageway 7104 of the protective member 6972 extends from a first end to a further end of the protective member 6972. The through passageway 7108 of the bend stiffener element 6940 extends from the first end 6944 of the bend stiffener element 6940 to the remaining end 6956 of the bend stiffener element 6940. It will be appreciated that the through passageway 7108 of the bend stiffener element 6940 is non-straight and follows the (or extends along) longitudinal neutral axis of the bend stiffener element 6940 (that is non-straight when the bend stiffener element 6940 is in an unloaded state). Thus, the through passageway 7108 of the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 shown in Figure 71 is curved. It will be understood that this through passageway 7108 is also a through passageway of the tubular body 6948. Figure 71 further shows how the support body 6916 has a through passageway extending from a first end of the support body 6916 to a further end of the support body 6916. As can be seen in Figure 71 , the respective through passageways 7104, 7108, 7112 of the protective member 6972, the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 and the support body 6916 are arranged in cooperating manner and in an end-to-end configuration. That is to say that the through passageways 7104, 7108, 7112 are arranged to be spatially aligned so that a combined through passageway 7116 extends through the CPS 6900 (through the protective member 7104, the bend stiffener element 6940 and the support body 6916) and that includes the respective through passageways 7104, 7108, 7112. It will be appreciated how a cable (that is an example of an elongate flexible member) can be arranged to extend through the CPS 6900 through the combined through passageway 7116.

[0673] Figure 71 further helps illustrate how the support body extends through the wall aperture 6904. As illustrated in Figure 71 , a pull-in head 7128 is coupled to the support body 6916. It will be understood that the CPS can be pulled into the aperture 6904 using the pull-in head 7128, for example via pulling a winching line connected to the pull-in head 7128. It will also be appreciated that the pull-in head can be connected to a cable, for example via a cable grip or the like, and can be decoupled from the support body 6916 in order to pull a cable through the CPS and into the structure.

[0674] Figure 72 illustrates the bend stiffener element 6940 of Figure 69, that is a non-straight bend stiffener element, in more detail. Figure 72 helps illustrate how the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 is curved along its length. That is to say that the non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 curves from the first end 6944 to the further end 6956 (or the remaining end) of the bend stiffener element 6940. It will be understood that this curve is present when the bend stiffener 6940 is in a neutral or unloaded state, that is an equilibrium state of the bend stiffener 6940 in the absence of external forces being imparted on the bend stiffener element that would cause the bend stiffener element to bend. Figure 72 further illustrates how a longitudinal neutral axis for a whole length of the bend stiffener element 6940 is non-straight when the bend stiffener element 6940 is in an unloaded state. It will be understood that optionally only a portion of the bend stiffener element 6940 may be non-straight, and the bend stiffener element may include one or more straight portions and / or further non straight portions. That is to say, optionally, a longitudinal neutral axis (of the bend stiffener element) along only at least a portion of the whole length of the bend stiffener element may be curved when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state. The non-straight bend stiffener element 6940 of Figure 72 is curved so that an angle A between a direction of extension of the first end 6944 and a direction of extension of the remaining end 6956 is around 45 degrees. That is to say respective imaginary lines that are each perpendicular with the longitudinal neutral axis at respective positions at the first end 6944 and remaining end 6956 make an angle A of around 45 degrees. Aptly this angle is instead between 0 and 90 degrees, optionally being between around 10 and 60 degrees, optionally being between around 20 and 50 degrees. In the arrangement shown in Figure 72, it will be appreciated that the remaining end of the bend stiffener element extends at an angle is oblique, by around 45 degrees, with respect to a direction in which the support body extends.

[0675] It will be understood that utilising a non-straight bend stiffener element helps increase an angle which a cable (located within or through the bend stiffener element) makes with the seabed upon contact of the bend stiffener element with the seabed (at the touch-down point). The bend stiffener element 6940 may be formed to have (or at least so that the bend stiffener element through passageway has) a radius of curvature that is at or close to (but above) a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with a cable to be located through the bend stiffener element 6940. This can help control the cable in use to constantly be bent at or around the minimum bend radius. It will be appreciated that this helps protect the cable from overbending and damage associated therewith. This also helps minimise the free-span region associated with the CPS, and helps provide a touch-down point associated with the bend stiffener element / CPS that is close to the structure. Optionally the distance between the structure and touch-down point may be minimised (so that the touch-down point is as close as possible to the structure). As has been discussed previously, reducing the distance between the structure and the touch-down point helps reduce forces imparted on the CPS. Furthermore, this helps reduce the exclusion displacement, that is to say the side-to-side or lateral displacement, associated with the CPS. Reducing this exclusion displacement of the CPS can help reduce abrasion of the CPS at the structure and / or the seabed, and can reduce loading stresses on the CPS and / or cable at supported regions (for example where the cable / CPS is weighed down on the seabed) due to movement in the free-span region. Figure 72 also shows a support body 7204 in more detail. The support body shown in Figure 72 may be the same support body as described with respect to Figure 69 or alternatively may be a different support body. The support body shown in Figure 72 includes how a plurality of retaining elements 7208 are supported on / by the support body, and are arranged around the support body 7204 in a circumferential manner. The retaining elements 7208 shown in Figure 72 are latches however it will be understood that any other retaining elements may instead be utilised for example swivelable arms and / or grab balls or the like. It will be understood that the latches 7208 of Figure 72 are located in respective recesses and can be actuated to extend out of the recesses (into the position shown in Figure 72) in use. The retaining elements 7208 act to about against an inner wall of a structure in use to retain the support body 7204 (and therefore the CPS) with respect to the structure. As illustrated in Figure 72, the support body further includes a stop plate 7212 that in use abuts against an outer surface of a wall of a structure and thus limits how far the support body can be pulled into a structure (through the aperture). It will be appreciated how the retaining elements 7208 can be actuated (to extend out of the support body 7204) by bringing the stop plate 7212 into contact (and abutment) with the structure wall and further applying a pulling force to the support body (via a winching line and a pull-in head, for example). This force can overcome a biasing force providing by biasing elements that may be configured to bias the retaining elements 7208 away from an actuated state, or can break / shear frangible elements that may be locking the retaining elements 7208 away from an actuated state or the like.

[0676] It will be appreciated that the bend stiffener element 6940 may be a progressive bend stiffener element. Aptly a progressive stiffener element may have a wall thickness that tapers towards one end thereby modulating a stiffness of the progressive bend stiffener element towards the end with a narrower wall thickness. Aptly the bend stiffener element 6940 may have a substantially uniform thickness along a whole length, or a portion of the length (for example along most of a whole length) of the bend stiffener element 6940.

[0677] Figure 73 illustrates a combined bend stiffener element 7304. Figure 73 helps illustrate how the combined bend stiffener element 7304 includes a plurality of bend stiffener elements 7308. The bend stiffener elements are secured together in an end-to-end configuration to provide the combined bend stiffener element 7304. Optionally the bend stiffener elements may be bend limiting elements. Optionally the combined bend stiffener element may be a combined bend limiting element. It will be appreciated that each bend stiffener element is secured to a respective adjacent bend stiffener element. Figure 73 shows how each bend stiffener element 7308, in an unloaded state, is curved. That is to say, a longitudinal neutral axis 7316 of each bend stiffener element 7308 is non-straight when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state. That is to say that the bend stiffener elements of Figure 73 are non-straight bend stiffener elements. Each bend stiffener element illustrated in Figure 73 is curved such that an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal neutral axis at a first end 7320 of a respective bend stiffener element 7304 makes an angle p of around 15 degrees with an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal neutral axis at a further end 7324 that respective bend stiffener element 7308. Aptly the angle p may be a different angle and may be between 10 degrees and 60 degrees for example. As shown in Figure 73, three non- straight bend stiffener elements are connected together to form the combined bend stiffener element 7304. Thus, a first end 7328 of the combed bend stiffener element 7304 extends in a direction that is oblique with respect to a direction that a remaining end 7332 of the combined bend stiffener element 7304 extends. It will be appreciated that any other number of bend stiffener elements 7308 (for example one, two, four, five or more) may instead be utilised. It will be understood how using a different number of non-straight bend stiffener elements 7308 will provide a different overall curvature of the combined bend stiffener element 7304.

[0678] Figure 73 shows how the first end 7328 is connected to a support body 7336. The support body 7336 illustrated in Figure 73 is substantially the same as the support body described with reference to Figure 72.

[0679] Figure 73 further helps show how each non-straight body portion includes a through passageway portion 7340 extending from a first end 7320 to a further end 7324 of each body portion 7308. Figure 73 helps illustrate how each through passageway portion 7340 is curved and generally follows (or curves with) the longitudinal neutral axis 7316 of each body portion 7308. Figure 73 illustrates how a combined through passageway 7344, that is a through passageway of the bend stiffener element 7304 as a whole includes each through passageway portion. It will be appreciated that the combined through passageway 7344 is non-straight and aptly extends along a longitudinal neutral axis of the bend stiffener element 7304 (as a whole), that is also non-straight in an unloaded state. A flexible elongate member, for example a cable, is locatable through each through passageway (and thus through the combined through passageway) thereby being able to extend through the combined bend stiffener element.

[0680] Figure 73 illustrates how each non-straight body portion 7308 is secured together via at least one clamp body 7348. The bend stiffener elements 7408 that form the combined bend stiffener element 7304 shown in Figure 73 include an inner body portion that is optionally rigid and is optionally formed from a metallic material for example steel. Each inner body portion generally tubular and is curved. Each bend stiffener element 7308 follows the longitudinal axis of that bend stiffener element. Each bend stiffener element also includes an outer body portion disposed radially around the inner body portion. The outer body portion is a protective portion and is optionally made from a polymeric material. Optionally the bend stiffener elements 7308 may not include outer body portions.

[0681] It will be appreciated that the combined bend stiffener element 7304 is articulated. That is to say that the connection between respective connected bend stiffener elements 7304 permits a degree of movement of a first bend stiffener element relative to a further bend stiffener element that is connected to the first bend stiffener element. The combined bend stiffener element 7304 thus permits a degree of flexing of a cable located through the combined bend stiffener element 7304. It will be understood that the degree of flexing of a cable (and of the combined bend stiffener element) is determined by the degree by which a bend stiffener element can move relevant to an adjacent connected bend stiffener element. This is determined by the geometry of the components used for securing the bend stiffener elements 7308 together (for example the clamp bodies 7348). Thus, the combined bend stiffener element 7304 has a maximum permitted curvature due to the maximum relative permitted movement of each bend stiffener element permitted. It will thus be appreciated that the combined bend stiffener element 7304 has a minimum bend radius that is also referred to as a lockout radius. Aptly the lockout radius is around between 0.5 to 10 metres.

[0682] Figure 74 illustrates a different perspective view of a bend stiffener element 7308 of the of the combined bend stiffener element of Figure 73. Figure 74 helps illustrate how the bend stiffener element 7304 includes an inner body portion 7404 and an outer body portion 7408 as described with respect to Figure 73. Figure 74 further helps illustrate how the bend stiffener element curves along a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state.

[0683] Figure 75 illustrates a still further perspective view of the bend stiffener element 7308 of Figure 74. It will be appreciated that the bend stiffener element 7308 could include two or more split body portions that are securable together to form the bend stiffener element. It will be appreciated that two split body portions may be symmetrical about an imaginary plane that contains the longitudinal axis 7316. Figure 76 illustrates steps of a method for providing the non-straight bend stiffener element illustrated in Figures 69 to 72. At a first step of the method s7604, a precursor body comprising a curable material is provided. Aptly the precursor body is formed from polymeric and / or composite material. At a second step of the method s7608, the precursor body is provided radially around a support member. Aptly the support member is formed from metal. Optionally the support member includes is a curved rod on which the precursor body can be mounted. At least a portion of the support member includes a non-straight portion that extends on a longitudinal axis that is non-straight. At a third step of the method s7612, the precursor body is cured to provide the bend stiffener element that is non-straight (or is curved) along at least a portion of a length of the bend stiffener element in an unloaded state. It will be appreciated that the through passageway is provided in the space occupied by the support member. Optionally the curing step includes heating the precursor body and / or exposing the precursor body to ultraviolet (UV) light or the like.

[0684] Figure 77 illustrated steps of a further method for providing the non-straight bend stiffener element illustrates in Figures 69 to 72. At a first step of the method s7704 a curable material (that optionally includes polymeric material) is provided. At a second step of the method s7708, the curable material is provided into a tubular cavity of a mould, the cavity having a longitudinal axis that is non-straight along at least a portion of a length of the cavity. At a third step of the method s7712, the curable material is cured to provide a bend stiffener element having a longitudinal neutral axis that, when the bend stiffener element is in an unloaded state, is non-straight.

[0685] Figure 78 illustrates steps of a still further method for providing the non-straight bend stiffener element illustrated in Figures 69 to 72. At a first step of the method s7804, a precursor body comprising a curable material is provided. Aptly the precursor body is formed from polymeric and / or composite material. Aptly the precursor body has a through passageway formed in the body. At a second step of the method s7608, a first end of the precursor body is secured to a first supporting element and a further e...

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . Apparatus for locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising: a support body comprising a through passageway that extends through the support body from a first end of the support body to a further end of the support body; and a bend stiffener element securable at the first end; wherein a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element, for at least a portion of a whole length of the bend stiffener element, is curved.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein: the longitudinal axis is a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element in an unloaded state.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: a combined through passageway extends through the rigid support body and the bend stiffener element, the combined through passageway comprising said a through passageway and a further through passageway that extends through the bend stiffener element.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: a flexible elongate member is disposed through the bend stiffener element and the support body along said a through passageway.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: a further bend stiffener element securable at the further end of the support body.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 when dependent on claim 3, wherein: the combined through passageway extends through the further bend stiffener element.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, wherein: the flexible elongate member is disposed through the further bend stiffener element.

8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: the first bend stiffener element and further bend stiffener elements are curved for a portion of a whole of their respective lengths and the support body is straight or includes a curved portion that is not straight.

9. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: the bend stiffener element is secured to the first end and / or the further bend stiffener element is secured to the further end.

10. Apparatus, comprising: a bend stiffener element, that is a non-straight bend stiffener element, a longitudinal axis of the bend stiffener element, that is a neutral axis of the bend stiffener element in an unloaded state, being non-straight at least along a portion of a length of the bend stiffener element.11 . The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein: the bend stiffener element is connectable to an end of a support body.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein: the bend stiffener element is for inclusion in a Cable Protection System (CPS).

13. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: the bend stiffener element is configured to orient an end of the bend stiffener element to be substantially parallel with an environmental bed.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: the bend stiffener element is locatable outside of a structure when the support body and / or the CPS is located through an aperture in a wall of a structure.

15. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein: at least a portion of an elongate flexible member is locatable through the bend stiffener element, optionally along the longitudinal axis, a minimum acceptable bend radius associated with the elongate flexible member optionally being the same as, or less than, a radius of curvature associated with at least a portion of the longitudinal axis.

16. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein: a first imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a first end region of the bend stiffener element and that extends through the first end region, and a further imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal at a remaining end region of the bend stiffener element and that extends through the remaining end region, that each fall on an imaginary plane that contains the longitudinal axis make an angle of between 10 to 60 degrees, the angle optionally being around 45 degrees or around 15 degrees.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein: a still further imaginary line that extends along the longitudinal axis has a radius of curvature of between 0.5 and 10 metres along at least a portion of said a still further imaginary line.

18. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein: the bend stiffener element comprises a progressive stiffener element, a flexibility of the progressive stiffener element being greater at a further end region of the progressive stiffener element than at a first end region of the progressive stiffener element.

19. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein: the bend stiffener element is secured to at least one further bend stiffener element in an end-to-end configuration to provide a combined bend stiffener element.

20. A method of locating an elongate flexible member at a desired location with respect to an aperture in a wall of a structure, comprising the steps of: providing a Cable Protection System (CPS) comprising a support body and a bend stiffener element, that is a non-straight bend stiffener element, secured to an end of the support body, a longitudinal neutral axis of the bend stiffener element in an unloaded state being non-straight along at least a portion of a length of the bend stiffener element; and locating the support body of the CPS at least partially through an aperture in a wall of a structure thereby locating the non-straight bend stiffener element outside of the structure.

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