Buoyancy assembly

Abstract

There is provided a buoyancy assembly for a floatable structure. The assembly includes a plurality of buoyancy devices and a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to a floatable structure, in use. An attachment mechanism is provided for attaching the supporting frame to a floatable structure.

Description

[0001] BUOYANCY ASSEMBLY

[0002] This invention relates generally to buoyancy assemblies. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to buoyancy assemblies for providing buoyancy to floatable structures, for example communications buoys. This invention also relates to floatable structures comprising such buoyancy assemblies and a method of providing buoyancy to a floatable structure.

[0003] Floatable structures, in the form of floating buoys, are used for a range of purposes within seas and waterways. In particular, floating buoys have conventionally been used for navigation, hazard identification, mooring and research. Traditionally, floating buoys have a generally cylindrical body or hull containing a material arranged to provide buoyancy, for example a low density foam.

[0004] Floating buoys have more recently been used to provide offshore communications, for example to extend communications from land to offshore energy infrastructure. These communications buoys often include a mast, resulting in them being taller than floating buoys used for navigation and mooring. This additional height poses novel challenges when the buoy is exposed to waves and / or sea swell, as the height and mass of the mast can result in large destabilizing moments about the centre of gravity. It has been found that in order to maintain reliable communications it is desirable to minimise the overall displacement of the buoy or mast.

[0005] One way of providing stability to these buoys is to provide a low centre of gravity relative to the width of the base. However, this requires additional cost and provides additional mass, requiring extra buoyancy to compensate.

[0006] It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a buoyancy assembly that enables buoyancy to be provided at the edge of the floatable structure, whilst minimising the cost and mass implications.

[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a buoyancy assembly for a floatable structure, the assembly comprising: a plurality of buoyancy devices; a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the supporting frame to a floatable structure.

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a buoyancy assembly for providing buoyancy to a structure, the assembly comprising: a plurality of buoyancy devices; a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the supporting frame to a floatable structure.

[0009] It will be appreciated that the buoyancy assembly, when connected to a floatable structure, allows for a tall floatable structure or a tall structure to be floated whilst maintaining a low centre of gravity.

[0010] The buoyancy devices may be configured to provide buoyancy to a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use.

[0011] The floatable structure may be or may comprise a buoy, a seagoing buoy, a floating buoy, a floatable buoy, a floatable device or a buoyant structure. The floatable structure may be or may comprise a communications buoy, for example a 5G communications buoy.

[0012] One or more of the plurality of buoyancy devices may be spaced from one another.

[0013] The plurality of buoyancy devices may be equally spaced, e.g. from one another.

[0014] The supporting frame or buoyancy assembly may comprise a platform or deck (hereinafter deck). The deck may be located centrally of the supporting frame or buoyancy assembly. The deck may be substantially square or rectangular, e.g. when viewed in plan.

[0015] The attachment mechanism may be provided on the deck. The deck may comprise the attachment mechanism.

[0016] The supporting frame may be configured to position or locate the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to one another. The supporting frame may be configured to position the plurality of buoyancy devices spaced or equally spaced from one another.

[0017] The supporting frame may rigidly position, fix or retain one or more, e.g. each, of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to one another.

[0018] The supporting frame may be configured to position one or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy device spaced from a structure or the deck.

[0019] The structure may be a floatable structure, a structure to be floated or a structure to be supported above a water level or surface of water, in use. The structure may comprise a container unit or module. The structure may comprise a shipping container or module. The structure may comprise one or more solar panels. The structure may comprise a solar stack. The solar stack or one or more solar panels may be provided on, e.g. mounted to, the structure.

[0020] The supporting frame may be configured to position one or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy devices spaced from a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use.

[0021] The supporting frame may be configured to position one or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy devices spaced from a centre, central axis or longitudinal axis of a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use.

[0022] The supporting frame may be configured to position each of the buoyancy devices equally spaced from a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use.

[0023] The supporting frame may be configured to position each of the buoyancy devices equally spaced from a centre, central axis or longitudinal axis of a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use.

[0024] The supporting frame may be configured to position one or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy devices spaced from the deck.

[0025] The supporting frame may be configured to position one or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy devices spaced from a centre, central axis or longitudinal axis of the deck. The supporting frame may be configured to position each of the buoyancy devices equally spaced from the deck.

[0026] The supporting frame may be configured to position each of the buoyancy devices equally spaced from a centre, central axis or longitudinal axis of the deck.

[0027] The supporting frame may be connected to the deck.

[0028] The plurality of buoyancy devices may be spaced from the attachment mechanism.

[0029] The supporting frame may connect the plurality of buoyancy devices to one another.

[0030] The supporting frame may rigidly connect the plurality of buoyancy devices to one another.

[0031] The supporting frame may tether the buoyancy devices to one another.

[0032] One or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy devices may be connected or tethered to one another by chains, ropes and / or wires.

[0033] The supporting frame may be configured to fix or retain the position of one or more, e.g. each, of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to the deck or a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, or floatable device, in use.

[0034] The supporting frame and / or deck may comprise a centre, central axis or central point (hereinafter central axis).

[0035] The supporting frame or the buoyancy assembly may comprise one or more spacing members, radially extending spacing members or radially extending mounting beams (hereinafter spacing members). The one or more spacing members may be configured to position one or more, e.g. each, of the plurality of buoyancy devices away from or spaced from the central axis.

[0036] The one or more spacing members may be connected to and / or extend from the deck. The one or more spacing members may be configured to position one or more, e.g. each, of the plurality of buoyancy devices away from or spaced from the attachment mechanism and / or deck.

[0037] The or each spacing member may be configured to rigidly position, fix or retain one or more, e.g. each, of the plurality of buoyancy devices away from or spaced from the central axis.

[0038] The or each spacing member may be configured to rigidly position, fix or retain one or more, e.g. each, of the plurality of buoyancy devices away from or spaced from the attachment mechanism and / or deck.

[0039] The or each spacing member may be connected between the supporting frame and the attachment mechanism and / or deck.

[0040] Parts or components of the supporting frame may be connected together via fixing means, e.g. bolts or pins.

[0041] The supporting frame may comprise a H-bar structure.

[0042] The or each spacing member may be connected between the attachment mechanism and / or deck and a respective buoyancy device, e.g. a mounting bracket thereof.

[0043] The buoyancy assembly may comprise a respective spacing member connected between the attachment mechanism and a respective buoyancy device.

[0044] The central axis of the supporting frame may be configured to align with a centre, central axis, central point or longitudinal axis of a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use.

[0045] The central axis of the supporting frame and / or deck may be configured to be coaxial with a centre, central axis, central point or longitudinal axis of a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use.

[0046] The central axis of the supporting frame may be configured to pass through the centre of gravity of the structure, e.g. a floatable structure, in use The attachment mechanism may be configured to attach the buoyancy apparatus to a body or hull of a floatable structure, in use.

[0047] The attachment mechanism may be configured to attach the buoyancy apparatus to a structure, e.g. to the underside of a structure, in use.

[0048] The deck may be configured to support the structure.

[0049] The attachment mechanism may comprise one or more container locks. The attachment mechanism may comprise a quick-release mechanism. The attachment mechanism may be provided on an upper side of the deck, in use.

[0050] The attachment mechanism may comprise an annular or part-annular bracket.

[0051] One or more, e.g. each, of the plurality of buoyancy devices may be positioned radially outward of the annular or part-annular bracket.

[0052] The buoyancy assembly may comprise three buoyancy devices arranged in a triangle. The buoyancy devices may be located at the vertices of the triangle. The triangle may be an equilateral triangle. The triangle may be an isosceles triangle. The triangle may be a scalene triangle, an acute triangle, a right triangle or an obtuse triangle.

[0053] The buoyancy assembly may comprise four buoyancy devices arranged in a square. The buoyancy devices may be located at the vertices of the square. The buoyancy assembly may comprise four buoyancy devices arranged in a quadrilateral, rectangle, diamond, trapezoid, rhomboid or parallelogram. The buoyancy devices may be located at the vertices of the quadrilateral, rectangle, diamond, trapezoid, rhomboid or parallelogram.

[0054] The buoyancy assembly may comprise five buoyancy devices arranged in a pentagon. The buoyancy devices may be located at the vertices of the pentagon.

[0055] The buoyancy assembly may comprise six buoyancy devices arranged in a hexagon. The buoyancy devices may be located at the vertices of the hexagon.

[0056] The buoyancy assembly may comprise a plurality of buoyancy devices arranged in a circle. The deck may be located centrally of the buoyancy devices.

[0057] One or more, e.g. each, buoyancy device may be or may comprise a buoyancy pod or buoyancy module.

[0058] One or more, e.g. each, buoyancy device may comprise a cylinder or cylindrical body. One or more, e.g. each, buoyancy device may comprise a cylindrical drum. One or more, e.g. each, buoyancy device may comprise a float. One or more, e.g. each, buoyancy device may be hollow.

[0059] Each buoyancy device may comprise an internal bracing structure. Each buoyancy device may comprise a bracing reinforcement element. The bracing or reinforcement member or structure may be located within the buoyancy device, e.g. an internal volume thereof.

[0060] The bracing or reinforcement member may be connected to an internal surface of the buoyancy device, e.g. at its ends.

[0061] Each buoyancy device may comprise an internal floatation bladder. The internal floatation bladder may be pressurised. The internal floatation bladder may comprise a pressurised gas.

[0062] The buoyancy assembly and / or each buoyancy device may be configured to provide positive buoyancy, e.g. in use. The buoyancy assembly and / or each buoyancy device may be configured to provide positive buoyancy when deployed in water or sea water.

[0063] The buoyancy assembly may be configured to provide buoyancy to a floatable structure, in use.

[0064] Each buoyancy device may have a diameter of between 2 and 3 meters, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 meters, between 2.75 and 3.25 meters. Each buoyancy device may have a diameter of 2.8 meters. Each cylindrical body may have a diameter of between 2 and 3 meters, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 meters, between 2.75 and 3.25 meters. Each cylindrical body may have a diameter of 2.8 meters.

[0065] Each buoyancy device may have a height of between 2 and 3 meters, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 meters, between 2.75 and 3.25 meters. Each buoyancy device may have a height of 3 meters.

[0066] Each cylindrical body may have a height of between 2 and 3 meters, for example between 2.5 and 3.5 meters, between 2.75 and 3.25 meters. Each cylindrical body may have a height of 3 meters.

[0067] The buoyancy apparatus or supporting frame may comprise a mounting bracket mounted to each respective buoyancy device or cylindrical body. The or each mounting bracket may be or may comprise a collar, a clamping collar or a mounting collar. The or each mounting bracket may comprise a plate attached to an external surface of a buoyancy device or cylindrical body.

[0068] The supporting frame may comprise a connecting portion, connecting member or connecting spar (hereinafter connecting portion) connected between each respective mounting bracket. The connecting portion(s) may be welded to each mounting bracket.

[0069] The connecting portion may connect each buoyancy device to one another.

[0070] The or each spacing member may be connected between the attachment mechanism and the mounting bracket mounted to each respective buoyancy device.

[0071] The or each spacing member may be connected between the attachment mechanism and the or each respective connecting portion.

[0072] The or each spacing member may be connected between the supporting frame and the attachment mechanism

[0073] The supporting frame may comprise a tubular structure or a tubular frame. The spacing member(s) and / or connecting portion(s) may be tubular. Each mounting bracket may be annular or part-annular.

[0074] Another aspect of the invention provides a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, comprising a buoyancy assembly, the buoyancy assembly comprising: a plurality of buoyancy devices positioned spaced from a centre of the structure and configured to provide buoyancy to the structure, in use; a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to the structure; and an attachment mechanism attaching the buoyancy assembly to the structure.

[0075] The structure, e.g. floatable structure, may be or may comprise a buoy, a seagoing buoy, a floating buoy, a floatable buoy, a floatable device or a buoyant structure. The floatable structure may be or may comprise a communications buoy, e.g. a 5G communications buoy.

[0076] One or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy devices may be spaced from a centre, central axis or longitudinal axis of the floatable structure.

[0077] One or more, e.g. each, of the buoyancy devices may be spaced from the centre of gravity of the floatable structure.

[0078] The floatable structure may comprise a generally cylindrical hull and wherein each of the plurality of buoyancy devices is positioned radially outward of the generally cylindrical hull.

[0079] The plurality of buoyancy devices may be spaced from one another and rigidly connected to one another by the supporting frame.

[0080] The floatable structure may comprise three buoyancy devices arranged in a triangle.

[0081] The buoyancy apparatus may be attached or mounted to a hull of the floatable structure.

[0082] The floatable structure may be or may comprise a communications buoy. The floatable structure or communications buoy may comprise a communications mast.

[0083] The communications mast may be a 4G or 5G communications mast. Additionally or alternatively, the communications mast may be an optical wireless communications mast. Additionally or alternatively, the communications mast may be a microwave communications mast.

[0084] The buoy and / or communications mast may have a height between 5 and 30 metres, for example, between 10 and 25 metres, between 15 and 20 metres. The buoy and / or communications mast may have a height between 12 and 25 metres.

[0085] Another embodiment of the invention provides a communications buoy comprising a buoyancy assembly, the buoyancy assembly comprising: a plurality of buoyancy devices positioned spaced from a centre of the communications buoy and configured to provide buoyancy to the communications buoy, in use; a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to the communications buoy; and an attachment mechanism attaching the buoyancy assembly to the communications buoy.

[0086] Another aspect of the invention provides a method providing buoyancy to a structure, e.g. a floatable structure, the method comprising attaching a buoyancy assembly as described above to a structure.

[0087] For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention. For example, the floatable structure may comprise any one or more features of the buoyancy apparatus relevant to the floatable structure and / or the method may comprise any one or more features or steps relevant to one or more features of the buoyancy apparatus or the floatable structure.

[0088] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “may”, “and / or”, “e.g.”, “for example” and any similar term as used herein should be interpreted as non-limiting such that any feature so-described need not be present. Indeed, any combination of optional features is expressly envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention, whether or not these are expressly claimed. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

[0089] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0090] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a communications buoy comprising a buoyancy assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0091] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the communications buoy of Figure 1 ;

[0092] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a communications buoy comprising a buoyancy assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0093] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a communications buoy comprising a buoyancy assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention; and

[0094] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the communications buoy of Figure 1 comprising a buoyancy assembly including a deck.

[0095] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a communications buoy 10, configured to be deployed within a waterway or at sea and arranged to extend communications from land to offshore energy infrastructure. The communications buoy 10 includes a hull or base 12 (hereinafter hull) from which a communications mast 14 extends upwardly. The communications buoy 10 has a central axis C that extends centrally through the communications mast 14, hull 12 and centre of gravity G in this embodiment. The communications buoy 10 is shown in a level state in Figure 1.

[0096] A buoyancy assembly 20 is attached to the communications buoy 10 and includes three buoyancy devices 40 spaced from one another and arranged in a triangle when viewed in plan (Figure 2). The buoyancy devices 40 are located at the vertices of the triangle and each has a central axis B that is radially spaced from the central axis C, and centre of gravity G, a distance R. Each of the buoyancy devices 40 is configured to provide positive buoyancy to the communications buoy 10 when deployed in water The buoyancy assembly 20 includes a supporting frame 22 arranged to position each of the buoyancy devices 40 relative to the communications buoy 10. The supporting frame 22 has three elongate connecting spars 24 rigidly connecting each of the buoyancy devices 40 to one another. In particular, each connecting spar 24 is connected at each of its ends to a respective mounting bracket 26 extending around, and mounted to, a respective buoyancy device 40. The mounting brackets 26 are annular or part-annular in this embodiment. The connecting spars 24 are elongate hollow tubes in this embodiment and have been omitted from Figure 1 for the sake of clarity.

[0097] The supporting frame 22 also includes an annular mounting bracket 28 extending around the hull 12 for connecting the buoyancy assembly 20 to the communications buoy 10. A respective radially extending spacing member 30 is connected to the annular mounting bracket 28 at a first end and is connected to each respective the buoyancy device 40 via the mounting bracket 26 at a second end. As is shown in Figure 2, the communications buoy 10 is positioned centrally of the triangle defined by the buoyancy assembly 20, such that each buoyancy device 40, is positioned an equal distance R from the central axis C. Furthermore, a central point of the supporting frame 22 coincides with the central axis C of the communications buoy 10.

[0098] Each of the buoyancy devices 40 is a cylinder and contains a low density foam in this embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that each of the buoyancy devices 40 may instead be hollow.

[0099] Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a communications buoy 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention, configured to be deployed within a waterway or at sea and arranged to extend communications from land to offshore energy infrastructure. The communications buoy 110 is similar to communications buoy 10 of Figures 1 and 2, wherein like features are denoted by like references incremented by ‘100’ and in the interests of brevity only the differences will be described in detail hereinafter.

[0100] The buoyancy assembly 120 differs from the buoyancy assembly 20 in that instead of each respective radially extending spacing member 130 being connected to each respective buoyancy device 140 via the mounting bracket 126 at a second end, they are each connected to a midpoint of the connecting spar 124 at their second end. In a similar manner to the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, each respective radially extending spacing member 130 is connected to the annular mounting bracket 128 at a first end.

[0101] The arrangement of Figure 3 provides an alternative structure of the supporting frame 122 to that of Figures 1 and 2.

[0102] Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a communications buoy 210 according to a third embodiment of the invention, configured to be deployed within a waterway or at sea and arranged to extend communications from land to offshore energy infrastructure. The communications buoy 210 is similar to communications buoy 10 of Figures 1 and 2, wherein like features are denoted by like references incremented by ‘200’ and in the interests of brevity on the differences will be described in detail hereinafter.

[0103] The buoyancy assembly 220 differs from the buoyancy assembly 20 of Figures 1 and 2 in that instead of providing three buoyancy devices 240 in a triangle, there are six buoyancy devices 240 arranged in a hexagon.

[0104] The buoyancy assembly 220 includes a supporting frame 222 arranged to position each of the buoyancy devices 240 relative to the communications buoy 210. The supporting frame 222 has six elongate connecting spars 224 rigidly connecting each of the buoyancy devices 240 to one another. In particular, each connecting spar 224 is connected at each of its ends to a respective mounting bracket 226 extending around, and mounted to, a respective buoyancy device 240.

[0105] The supporting frame 222 also includes an annular mounting bracket 228 extending around the hull 212 for connecting the buoyancy assembly 220 to the communications buoy 210. A respective radially extending spacing member 230 is connected to the annular mounting bracket 228 at a first end and is connected to each respective the buoyancy device 240 via the mounting bracket 226 at a second end. As is shown in Figure 4, the communications buoy 210 is positioned centrally of the hexagon defined by the buoyancy assembly 220.

[0106] It will be appreciated that the arrangement of Figure 4 is merely exemplary, and the buoyancy assembly may instead include four buoyancy devices arranged in a square, five buoyancy devices arranged in a pentagon, or any other suitable number of buoyancy devices. Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a communications buoy 110, configured to be deployed within a waterway or at sea and arranged to extend communications from land to offshore energy infrastructure. The communications buoy 110 is similar to communications buoy 10 and like features will be denoted by like references incremented by ‘100’. In this case, the communications buoy 110 includes a container unit 112 from which a communications mast 114 extends upwardly. The container unit 112 is mounted to a deck 111 , located centrally of the buoyancy devices 140. The container unit 112 is mounted to the deck 111 via container locks 111a located on an upper side of the deck 111 and configured to engage an underside of the container unit 112. The communications buoy

[0107] 110 has a central axis C that extends centrally through the communications mast 114, deck

[0108] 111 and centre of gravity G in this embodiment. The communications buoy 110 is shown in a level state in Figure 5.

[0109] A buoyancy assembly 120 is attached to the deck 111 and includes three buoyancy devices 140 spaced from one another and arranged in a triangle when viewed in plan (not shown). The buoyancy devices 140 are located at the vertices of the triangle and each has a central axis B that is radially spaced from the central axis C, and centre of gravity G, a distance R. Each of the buoyancy devices 140 is configured to provide positive buoyancy to the container unit 112 and communications mast 114 when deployed in water

[0110] The buoyancy assembly 120 includes a supporting frame 122 arranged to position each of the buoyancy devices 140 relative to the deck 111. The supporting frame 122 has three elongate connecting spars 124 rigidly connecting each of the buoyancy devices 140 to one another. In particular, each connecting spar 124 is connected at each of its ends to a respective mounting bracket 126 extending around, and mounted to, a respective buoyancy device 140. The mounting brackets 126 are annular or part-annular in this embodiment. The connecting spars 124 are elongate hollow tubes in this embodiment.

[0111] The supporting frame 122 also includes connecting members 128 connecting the supporting frame 121 to the deck 111.

[0112] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and / or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A buoyancy assembly for a floatable structure, the assembly comprising: a plurality of buoyancy devices; a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to a floatable structure, in use; and an attachment mechanism for attaching the supporting frame to a floatable structure.

2. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of buoyancy devices are spaced from one another.

3. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of buoyancy devices are equally spaced from one another.

4. A buoyancy assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the supporting frame connects the plurality of buoyancy devices to one another.

5. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 4, wherein the supporting frame rigidly connects the plurality of buoyancy devices to one another.

6. A buoyancy assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting frame comprises a central axis.

7. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 6, wherein the supporting frame comprises one or more spacing members configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices spaced from the central axis.

8. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 7, wherein the or each spacing member is configured to rigidly position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices spaced from the central axis.

9. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the or each spacing member is connected between the supporting frame and the attachment mechanism.

10. A buoyancy assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the central axis of the frame is configured to align with a central axis of a floatable structure, in use.

11. A buoyancy assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to attach the buoyancy apparatus to a hull of a floatable structure, in use.

12. A buoyancy assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an annular or part-annular bracket.

13. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of buoyancy devices is positioned radially outward of the annular bracket.

14. A buoyancy assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising three buoyancy devices arranged at the vertices of a triangle.

15. A buoyancy assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising six buoyancy devices arranged at the vertices of a hexagon.

16. A buoyancy assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein each buoyancy device comprises a cylindrical body.

17. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 16, wherein each cylindrical body has a diameter between 2.5 and 3.5 meters and / or a height of between 2.5 and 3.5 meters.

18. A buoyancy assembly according to claim 16, wherein the supporting frame comprises a mounting bracket mounted to each respective cylindrical body, and a connecting spar connected between each respective mounting bracket.

19. A floatable structure comprising a buoyancy assembly, the buoyancy assembly comprising: a plurality of buoyancy devices positioned spaced from a centre of the floatable structure and configured to provide buoyancy to the floatable structure, in use; a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to the floatable structure; andan attachment mechanism attaching the buoyancy assembly to the floatable structure.

20. A floatable structure according to claim 19, comprising a generally cylindrical hull and wherein each of the plurality of buoyancy devices is positioned radially outward of the cylindrical hull.

21. A floatable structure according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the plurality of buoyancy devices are spaced from one another and rigidly connected to one another by the supporting frame.

22. A floatable structure according to any one of claims 19 to 21 , comprising three buoyancy devices arranged in a triangle.

23. A floatable structure according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the floatable structure is a communications buoy comprising a communications mast.

24. A communications buoy comprising a buoyancy assembly, the buoyancy assembly comprising: a plurality of buoyancy devices positioned spaced from a centre of the communications buoy and configured to provide buoyancy to the communications buoy, in use; a supporting frame configured to position each of the plurality of buoyancy devices relative to the communications buoy; and an attachment mechanism attaching the buoyancy assembly to the communications buoy.

25. A method providing buoyancy to a floatable structure, the method comprising attaching a buoyancy assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18 to said floatable structure.

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