Installation for the load-out into the water of a heavy load

Abstract

Method for the load-out into water of a heavy load (10), comprising: a) providing at least one onshore lifter (20) comprising: - a main longitudinal structure (21), - lifting means (50) at the front of said main longitudinal structure (21), - a counterweight (60) at the rear of said main longitudinal structure (21), - front (40) and rear (30) bases respectively at the front and the rear of said main longitudinal structure (21), - legs (39, 43) allowing the lifter (20) to rest on the ground at a height allowing wheel transporters (100) to position themselves at least partially under the front and rear bases for future transportation of the lifter, - the front (40) and rear (30) bases being configured for resting on said wheel transporters (100) during transportation of the lifter with said wheel transporters (100), b) providing at least one offshore lifter (200) comprising lifting means (220), c) using wheel transporters (100) for approaching the at least one onshore lifter (20) close to the load (10), d) connecting the lifting means (50) of the at least one onshore lifter (20) and of the at least one offshore lifter (200) to the load (10), e) moving the at least one onshore lifter (20) using wheel transporters (100) and the at least one offshore lifter (200) to transport the load (10) from an onshore area over the water in a load-out area while hoisting it, f) lowering the load into water.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Installation for the load-out into the water of a heavy load

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the load-out into the water of a heavy load, and more specifically, but not exclusively, that of a heavy load constituted by a float for an offshore wind turbine.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] The development of offshore wind turbines is accompanied by an increase in the power and size thereof.

[0007] It is presently commonplace to install floating wind turbines at sea, said wind turbines having a tower borne by a float that can be wholly or partially submerged.

[0008] Wind turbines having tripod or tetrapod floats, with the tower resting on one of the feet of the float or in the center, have thus been developed.

[0009] Such floats may be made from metal or concrete and have significant weight and bulk, for example 4000 t or more.

[0010] They are generally manufactured on land and loaded out into the water using harbor installations adapted to transport them and load them out into the water. These adapted harbor installations, which have handling means for heavy loads, can be located far away from the wind farm, thereby making transport to the site lengthy and expensive.

[0011] It is possible that the harbor installations closest to the wind farm cannot be adapted, because they are too small, lack adequate handling means, or require considerable infrastructure work that is not necessarily profitable if said harbor installations are used only once for the installation of the farm for the completed wind turbine.

[0012] CN 103693170 discloses an offshore platform for the assembling of wind turbine structures. The platform is relatively large and the assembling of the structure offshore raises some difficulties as there is limited space available on the platform and is less convenient than onshore.

[0013] WO2023 / 088788 discloses several installations for the load-out into the water of a heavy load.

[0014] Consequently, there is a need to benefit from a system facilitating the load-out into the water of heavy loads such as structures having a non-negligible height, avoiding the use of heavy harbour installations and minimizing civil engineering works on the loading platform (wharf).

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] The invention achieves this objective by proposing a method for the load out into the water of a heavy load, comprising: a) providing at least one onshore lifter comprising: a main longitudinal structure, lifting means at the front of said main longitudinal structure, a counterweight at the rear of said main longitudinal structure, front and rear bases respectively at the front and the rear of said main longitudinal structure, legs allowing the lifter to rest on the ground at a height allowing wheel transporters to position themselves at least partially under the front and rear bases for future transportation of the lifter, the front and rear bases being configured for resting on said wheel transporters during transportation of the lifter with said wheel transporters, b) providing at least one offshore lifter comprising lifting means, c) using wheel transporters for approaching the at least one onshore lifter close to the load, d) connecting the lifting means of the at least one onshore lifter and of the at least one offshore lifter to the load, e) moving the at least one onshore lifter using wheel transporters and the at least one offshore lifter to transport the load from an onshore area over the water while hoisting it, f) lowering the load into water.

[0017] A “heavy load” is understood to mean a load with a weight typically greater than or equal to 1000 t, better still 3000 t, or even 4000 t, while still being less than 15000 t or more, for example 50000 t.

[0018] Step b) may be performed before or after step c).

[0019] The invention enables to avoid installing specific tracks on the platform and corresponding civil engineering works for reinforcing the harbour structures. The invention thus makes it possible to solve the problem of expensive investments in harbor civil engineering work for transferring wind turbine floats from the construction / assembly dock to their load-out area.

[0020] The invention makes it possible to avoid the use of large-capacity handling means, which would have a higher carbon footprint.

[0021] The method preferably comprises bringing the load close to the load out area using wheel transporters.

[0022] Preferably, at least one same wheel transporter is used for transporting the load onshore close to load-out area and then being moved away from under the load and again used at steps c) and e) for transporting the at least one onshore lifter. Preferably, at least two, three, four or more wheel transporters are so re-used. This minimizes the number of wheel transporters used.

[0023] Preferably, the front base comprises at least one transverse beam, under which at least one wheel transporter is positioned during steps c) and e). This at least one transverse beam allows the mechanical load exerted during lifting of the load to be distributed on a larger surface of the wheel transporters and of the loading platform (wharf), with an increased stability.

[0024] Preferably, the at least one onshore lifter comprises spaced apart legs at ends of said at least one transverse beam between which at least one of said wheel transporters is to be positioned. Such legs facilitate the positioning of the wheel transporters under the front base.

[0025] Preferably, said spaced apart legs are connected by end beams extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure. Such end beams can bear on the wheel transporter(s) positioned under the front base. Because of the distance of the end beams to the main longitudinal structure, an increased stability of the at least one onshore lifter is achieved.

[0026] Preferably, the front base comprises intermediate beams spaced along said at least one transverse beam between the end beams for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters during transportation the at least one lifter. Such intermediate beams help distribute the mechanical load on at least one wheel transporter positioned under the front base and on the loading platform (wharf). Preferably, the spaced apart legs allow two wheel transporters to stay one next to the other under the front base at least during step e). This enables to increase the surface that bears the mechanical load, thus allowing a lighter structure for the at least one transverse beam.

[0027] Preferably, the front base comprises at least one transverse beam, under which at least one wheel transporter is positioned during steps c) and e).

[0028] Preferably, the at least one onshore lifter comprising spaced apart legs at ends of said at least one transverse beam between which at least one of said wheel transporters is to be positioned.

[0029] Preferably, said spaced apart legs are connected by end beams extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure.

[0030] Preferably, the rear base comprises intermediate beams spaced along said at least one transverse beam between the end beams for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters during transportation of the at least one lifter.

[0031] Preferably, the end beams of the rear base are closer to the longitudinal axis of said main longitudinal structure than the end beams of the front base.

[0032] Preferably, the front and rear bases are connected by bracing, preferably two crossing diagonal struts.

[0033] Preferably, the front base and / or the rear base each comprising two pairs of transverse beams, the beams of each pair being closer to each other than the adjacent beams of the two different pairs. This allows each pair of transverse beams to bear in a centred manner on a respective wheel transporter, which improves the stability and mechanical load distribution.

[0034] The load may be a tripod or a quadripod, inter alia.

[0035] Two of said onshore lifters may be used simultaneously at least during step e).

[0036] The offshore lifter preferably comprises a barge having a ballast system for varying the height and tilt angle (or inclination) of said barge relative to the water level, the method comprising controlling the ballast system during lifting and / or lowering of the load into water.

[0037] Preferably, the wheel transporters are SPMTs. SPMT have a deck of variable height and multidirectional wheels. The transportation of the load to the load-out area and operation of lowering the heavy load into the water is preferably carried out with lateral guiding of the load during its transportation and descent, by cooperation between, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide carried by at least one of the load and its environment and, on the other hand, a guided structure carried by the other of the load and its environment, moving along this vertical guide in interaction therewith, this interaction limiting the lateral displacements of the load in at least one lateral direction.

[0038] By “carried by the load” it is meant that is attached to the load and moves with it during the descent of the load.

[0039] The guiding means may be provided on one of the feet of the load located on the quay side and on the foot or one of the feet of the load located on the barge side.

[0040] The heavy load may have three feet, guiding means being provided on each of the feet.

[0041] The interaction between the vertical guide and the guided structure may be achieved by keeping the two close together with one bearing against the other in a normal direction, substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction.

[0042] At least one of the vertical guide and the guided structure may be movable in the normal direction relative to the other.

[0043] The guided structure may be movable and comprising an actuator which allows to move a bearing element substantially horizontally in the normal direction.

[0044] The barge is preferably connected by mooring lines to the onshore lifters or to the quay to prevent bearing forces on the load from pushing the barge away and moving it away from the quay.

[0045] The guided structure may be configured to move horizontally and vertically with the load.

[0046] At least one of the vertical guides may comprise an upper segment carried by the onshore lifter and a lower segment fixed on the quay, and the method may comprise positioning these segments one above the other, in alignment, and wherein at the beginning of the descent, the guided structure cooperates with the upper segment, then during the descent, the guided structure cooperates with the lower segment. Each foot of the heavy load may be provided with a guided structure, each onshore lifter with an upper segment of vertical guide, the quay with lower segments of vertical guides, and the barge with a vertical guide, and during the descent of the load, the upper segments are aligned with the corresponding lower segments.

[0047] The guided structure may comprise a bearing element such as a ski pad that is configured to slide in a vertical groove defined by the vertical guide, the ski pad being carried by a support frame arranged to be coupled to the heavy load, so as to move vertically with it, the support frame being assembled to the heavy load before lifting, the heavy load being transported suspended from the lifting means via the support frames.

[0048] The feet of the heavy load may have a stepped shape, with an upper section of smaller diameter than the lower section, vertical guides being carried by the feet, the vertical guides comprising a lower segment located on the lower stage and an upper segment located on the upper stage, a guided structure being movable in a normal direction relative to the load so as to be able to engage in the upper segment during the descent of the load.

[0049] The guiding means may comprise a lower guided structure and an upper guided structure, the lower guided structure moving along the lower guide segment at the beginning of the descent of the load, the upper guided structure being then in the retracted configuration, and before the lower guided structure disengages from the lower vertical guide segment, the upper guided structure is deployed and engaged on the upper guide segment, the descent of the load continues, and the lower guided structure disengages from the lower vertical guide segment.

[0050] A further object of the present invention is a lifter for carrying a load, in particular for being used in a method as defined above, comprising:

[0051] A main longitudinal structure, lifting means at the front of said main longitudinal structure, a counterweight at the rear of said main longitudinal structure, front and rear bases respectively at the front and the rear of said main longitudinal structure, legs allowing the lifter to rest on the ground at a height allowing wheel transporters to position themselves at least partially under the front and rear bases for future transportation of the lifter, the front and rear bases being configured for resting on said wheel transporters during transportation of the lifter with said wheel transporters.

[0052] Preferably, the lifter exhibits at least one of the following features, and more preferably all feature in combination: the front base comprises at least one transverse beam, under which at least one wheel transporter is to be positioned, the lifter comprises spaced apart legs at ends of said at least one transverse beam between which at least one of said wheel transporters is to be positioned, said spaced apart legs are connected by end beams extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure, the front base comprises intermediate beams spaced along said at least one transverse beam between the end beams for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters during transportation the at least one lifter, the spaced apart legs allow two wheel transporters to stay one next to the other under the front base, the front base comprises at least one transverse beam, under which at least one wheel transporter is to be positioned, the lifter comprises spaced apart legs at ends of said at least one transverse beam between which at least one of said wheel transporters is to be positioned, said spaced apart legs are connected by end beams extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure, the rear base comprises intermediate beams spaced along said at least one transverse beam between the end beams for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters during transportation of the lifter, the end beams of the rear base are closer to the longitudinal axis of said main longitudinal structure than the end beams of the front base, the front and rear bases are connected by bracing, preferably two crossing diagonal struts, the front base and / or the rear base each preferably comprises two pairs of transverse beams, the beams of each pair being closer to each other than the adjacent beams of the two different pairs, the lifter comprises at least one of a vertical guide and a guided structure for cooperating with a guided structure or vertical guide fixed to the load for limiting lateral movements of the load during its transportation and its descent, the lifter comprises a guided structure and an actuator for moving the guided structure relative to the lifter in a normal direction, substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction, the lifter comprises a vertical guide configured for receiving a corresponding guided structure, such as a ski pad.

[0053] A further object of the invention is a combination of such lifter and wheel transporters used for transportation thereof.

[0054] The presence of the offshore lifter can make it possible to reduce the civil engineering. The onshore lifter(s) and / or the offshore lifter(s) can be easily transported from one industrial harbour site to another.

[0055] The invention thus makes it possible to have a heavy lifting system with lifting structures that can be brought into and out of use and transferred by boat.

[0056] The above-mentioned barge may have an adjustable ballast or a counterweight system making it possible to keep a girder carrying the lifting means located above horizontal, in particular during the partial transfer of the mechanical load onto the barge and / or the lowering of the load.

[0057] The barge may have compartments in which water is pumped in or out in order to keep the barge substantially horizontal during lifting of the load up or down into the water. During operation of the barge, water may be pumped out one compartment, for example adjacent the load, and pumped in a different compartment, for example opposite the load.

[0058] The installation may comprise at least one inclinometer carried by the load and the lifting means may be controlled so as to maintain the load substantially horizontal during lifting based on the signal delivered by the at least one inclinometer. The control of the lifting means may also be based on signals delivered by effort sensors present on the lifting means. The installation may comprise at least one inclinometer carried by the barge and the ballast pumps may be controlled based on the signal delivered by this at least one inclinometer to maintain the barge substantially horizontal during the lifting operations.

[0059] Preferably, the lifting means are controlled together with the ballast pumps to maintain both the load and the barge horizontal during the lifting operations, from the initial lift until the immersion of the load into the water.

[0060] The control of the horizontality of the load and / or the barge may be automatic, with a possibility of manual override, for safety reasons.

[0061] The lifting means of the offshore lifter may have a cable length long enough to accommodate variations of the sea level due to tides. In this way, the load can be lifted and kept at a distance from the ground at low or hide tide. The level variation due to tide may be about 2m / h for example, while the cables of the lifting means can be raised at a speed of about 15m / h for example.

[0062] Lateral movements of the load relative to the lifters may be blocked with interfering elements once the load has reached its top position after lifting; however, the interfering elements may be configured to allow small vertical movements and tilt angle variations due to the tide in case the load is connected at at least one point to lifting means carried by a barge and at at least one another point to lifting means located onshore.

[0063] The lifting means may have cable jacks or any other lifting equipment, for example having a winch.

[0064] “Onshore” has to be understood to mean on land, or on a platform or other kind of pier constituting an advancement onto the water, the platform or other structure resting on piles for example.

[0065] “Front” has to be understood as closer to the front end than the rear end along the longitudinal axis of the main longitudinal structure of the onshore lifter. The longitudinal main structure extends in a cantilever fashion in front of the front base.

[0066] “Rear” has to be understood as closer to the rear end than the front end along the longitudinal axis of the main longitudinal structure of the onshore lifter. The method may comprise acting on a ballast system of the barge to compensate for a variation of the force exerted by the load on the lifting means of the offshore lifter. The ballast system may thus serve to keep the barge substantially horizontal.

[0067] The invention is very particularly suitable for loading out into the water loads with a height greater than that of the lifters.

[0068] A further object of the present invention is a combination of a lifter according to the invention and a wharf, the wharf comprising at least one lower segment of a vertical guide configured for aligning with an upper segment of a vertical guide carried by the lifter for guiding a guided structure after it leaves the upper segment during the descent of the load.

[0069] A further object of the invention, independently or in combination with the above, is a method for loading out a heavy load in the water, wherein the heavy load is transported from a position onshore to a load out position above the water, wherein in the load out position the heavy load is suspended by at least one onshore lifter and at least one offshore lifter, the operation of lowering the heavy load into the water being carried out with lateral guiding of the load during its descent, by cooperation between, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide carried by at least one of the load and its environment (lifters, wharf or barge) and, on the other hand, a guided structure carried by the other of the load and its environment, moving along this vertical guide in interaction therewith, this interaction limiting the lateral displacements of the load in at least one lateral direction.

[0070] A further object of the invention, independently or in combination with the above, is a lifter for lifting a heavy load during a load out operation, comprising : a main longitudinal structure, lifting means at the front of said main longitudinal structure, at least one of a vertical guide and a guided structure at the front of said main longitudinal structure, for preventing lateral movements of the load during the load out operation.

[0071] Brief description of the drawings

[0072] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which: [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view, in perspective, of an example of installation according to the invention,

[0073] [Fig 2] [Fig 3] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the movement of the load toward its load-out position,

[0074] [Fig 4] Figure 4 illustrates the complete arrival of the load at the load-out area,

[0075] [Fig 5] Figure 5 illustrate the movement of SPMTs toward the onshore lifters,

[0076] [Fig 6] [Fig 7] [Fig 8] [Fig 9] Figures 6 to 9 are partial and schematic perspective views of an onshore lifter,

[0077] [Fig 10] [Fig 11] [Fig 12] Figures 10 to 12 illustrate the transportation of the onshore and offshore lifters toward the load using the SPMTs and the barge,

[0078] [Fig 13] Figure 13 illustrates the lifting of the load,

[0079] [Fig 14] Figure 14 illustrates the displacement of the load over the water,

[0080] [Fig 15] Figure 15 shows the load before lowering it into the water,

[0081] [Fig 16] [Fig 17] Figures 16 and 17 illustrates the lowering of the load, with gradual submersion of the load,

[0082] [Fig 18] Figure 18 illustrates the separation of the barge from the load,

[0083] Figure 19 illustrates the use of guiding means for guiding the load during a load- out operation, before tensioning of mooring lines connecting the barge to the onshore lifters, Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 19 after tensioning of the mooring lines, Figure 21 is a partial and schematic view of a variant of guiding means,

[0084] Figure 22 is a partial and schematic view of a further variant of guiding means,

[0085] Figure 23 shows an embodiment of guiding means,

[0086] Figure 24 is a perspective view of the guiding means of Figure 23,

[0087] Figure 25 is an enlarged view of a detail of figure 24,

[0088] Figure 26 depicts a variant of guiding system for use on a variant of the heavy load,

[0089] Figures 27 and 28 illustrate the progression of the guiding system during the lowering of the load,

[0090] Figure 29 represents a further embodiment of a guiding system before coupling to the heavy load,

[0091] Figure 30 shows, in isolation, parts of the guiding system of figure 29, Figure 31 shows the guiding system of figure 29 after coupling to the heavy load,

[0092] Figure 32 shows the onshore lifter approaching the load-out area,

[0093] Figure 33 shows the onshore lifter positioned for the load-out operation,

[0094] Figures 34 and 35 illustrate the operation of the guiding system during the load- out operation, and

[0095] Figure 36 represents the barge equipped with a guiding system similar to the ones of the onshore lifters of Figure 29.

[0096] Detailed description

[0097] The figures 1-18 illustrate an example of a method according to the invention, for the load out into the water of a heavy load 10, constituted for example, as illustrated, by a tripod-type float for a wind turbine, having two feet 11 disposed like the two vertices at the base of an equilateral triangle, and one foot 12 disposed like the third vertex and intended to bear the tower of the wind turbine, the feet 11 and 12 being connected by a beam assembly 14.

[0098] In the example illustrated, the float is made from steel, but the invention can be applied to any type of heavy load.

[0099] At their base, the feet 11 and 12 have a collar 16 (also referred to as “flange” or “baseplate”). The foot 12 is intended to possibly carry the tower (not shown) and may have an assembly sleeve (not shown) on its upper face.

[0100] The installation comprises in this example two onshore lifters 20, but the number may be different.

[0101] Each lifter 20 has a main longitudinal structure such as a girder 21, for example of a length in the range 30 to 50m, one end of which is connected to a counterweight 60 and the other end of which bears lifting means 50.

[0102] Each onshore lifter 20 comprises a rear base 30 and a front base 40.

[0103] As can best be seen in figures 6 to 9 the rear base 30 comprises a deck 28 carrying the counterweight 60, the deck 28 being supported by vertical piles 36 resting on transverse beams 35, the latter being supported by end beams 38 each resting on a pair of spaced apart legs 39.

[0104] In the example shown, the piles 36 rest on two pairs of parallel transverse beams 35, these beams 35 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the girder 21. The rear base 30 also comprises intermediate beams 37 fixed under the beams 35 between the end beams 38.

[0105] The front base 40 comprises as shown in Figure 8 two pairs of parallel transverse beams 41 on which the girder 41 rests, these beams 41 being supported by end beams 42 resting on spaced apart legs 43.

[0106] The beams 41 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the girder 21. The end beams 42 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the transverse beams 41.

[0107] Intermediate beams 44 are fixed underneath the transverse beams 41 at spaced apart locations.

[0108] The rear base 30 and front base 40 are connected by bracing 27, for example in the form of two diagonal struts, as shown, each connecting one end of the end beam 38 adjacent the front base 40 with the opposite end of the end beam 42 adjacent the rear base 30.

[0109] The counterweight 60 may be in the form of a plurality of rows 61of weights 62.

[0110] Preferably, as shown in Figure 1, the weights 62 are made by maritime containers filled with some heavy material, superposed and attached together at their comers.

[0111] The installation also comprises wheel transporters 100, known per se, each being a SPMT comprising as shown a deck 101 carried by sets of multidirectional wheels 102. The height of the deck 101 can be varied hydraulically to some extent (for example in the range 0,5m to 1,5m) to enable the wheel transporter 100 to go under the end beams 38 or 42 of the rear base or front base and then lift them.

[0112] Each wheel transporter 100 comprises a control and power unit 103 at one end.

[0113] The installation also comprises an offshore lifter 200, as shown in Figure 15.

[0114] The offshore lifter 200 comprises in this example a barge 210, carrying at least one girder 201 provided at one end with hoisting means 220. This girder 201 is carried by two end piles 203 resting on the barge 210. The girder 201 extends in cantilever fashion at the side of the barge 210.

[0115] The barge 210 comprises a ballast system 208 configured to control its level and inclination relative to the sea level. The ballast system 208 may comprise rows of reservoirs whose filling or emptying is controllable.

[0116] The offshore lifter 200 may be provided with shock absorbers to absorb possible impacts due to horizontal movements between the load and the lifter and facilitate lowering thereof. Method of operation The method according to the invention comprises bringing the load 10, initially present entirely onshore, close to the load out area as illustrated by figures 1 to 4.

[0117] For this, wheel transporters 100 are positioned under the load 10, for example under the beam assembly 14 and one of the feet 11, to transport the load 10 on the platform, from an assembly or delivery site to near the water W.

[0118] Once the load 10 has arrived close to the load-out area, as shown in Figure 4, the load 10 is left resting on supports (not shown) such as concrete blocks or any other appropriate spacers, to enable the wheel transporters 100 to be removed from under it.

[0119] Then, the same wheel transporters 100 are re-used for transporting the onshore lifters 20 close to the load 10, as illustrated by figures 5 to 11.

[0120] The wheel transporters 100 are accordingly driven under the rear base 30 and front base 40. The spacing between the legs 39 connected by the end beams 38 is larger than the width of a wheel transporter, and the end beams 38 and intermediate beams 37 are at a height relative to the platform that is chosen so that the wheel transporter 100 can engage underneath and then, by raising the deck 101, lift the rear base 30.

[0121] In the example under consideration, two wheel transporters 100 are positioned respectively under each set of end beams 38 and intermediate beams 37 extending under a pair of transverse beams 35.

[0122] The distance between the lugs 43 connected by end beams 42 of the front base 40 is enough to enable two side by side wheel transporters 100 to be positioned underneath, and by raising their deck 101, to lift the front base 40.

[0123] Intermediate beams 44 together with end beams 42 distribute the mechanical load along the wheel transporter 100.

[0124] As shown in Figure 10, the wheel transporters 100 positioned under the front base 40 may be longer than those positioned under the rear base 30, the transverse beams 41 being longer than the transverse beams 35. The length of the transverse beams 41 may range from 15 to 25m and the length of the transverse beams 35 may range from 7 to 15m.

[0125] Once the lifters 20 have been brought close to the load 10, the lifting means 50 thereof can be connected to the load 10.

[0126] For this purpose, the feet 11 and 12 may comprise, as shown, lugs 15 allowing connection to the lifting means 50. Each lifter 20 may comprise shock absorbers 56 for dampening the contact of the lifter 20 against the load 10. In a variant, the load 10 is provided with such shock absorbers.

[0127] The offshore lifter 200 is approached to the load 10, as shown in Figure 11, then the lifting means 220 are connected to the foot 12, as shown in Figure 12.

[0128] The girder 201 borne by the barge 210 projects beyond it toward the load 10 to enable the lifting means 220 to be attached to the lugs 15 at the base of the foot 12.

[0129] In this example, the barge 210 is oriented with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the edge of the dock, and substantially perpendicular to the girders 21.

[0130] The lifting means 50 and 220 may each have at least one cable jack assembly provided at one end with a yoke 51 bearing a shaft that can be engaged in an opening of the lugs 15.

[0131] The load 10 is then raised by activating the lifting means 50 of the onshore lifters 20 and the lifting means 220 of the offshore lifter 200, as illustrated in Figure 13.

[0132] During this operation, the ballast system 208 is controlled to compensate for the variation in weight the lifting means 220 supports, to keep the barge 210 substantially horizontal.

[0133] The load 10 once lifted is then transported to the load-out area over water by driving the onshore lifters 20 with the wheel transporters 100 present underneath.

[0134] Once the load 10 has arrived at the load-out area as shown in Figure 15, the lifting means 50 of the onshore lifters 20 and the lifting means 220 of the offshore lifter 200 are operated to lower the load 10 progressively into water, as illustrated on figures 16 and 17.

[0135] Once the load is immerged, and floating, the offshore lifter 200 can be separated from the load and moved away, as shown in Figure 18.

[0136] Once the load 10 has moved away from the load-out area, it is possible to move the onshore lifters 20 in reverse so as to take up the next load 10.

[0137] Once the lifters 20 have been brought to a parking area, the same wheel transporters 100 as used for transporting them may be used to bring a next load close to the load-out area. Needless to say, the invention is not limited to the example that has just been described.

[0138] The lifting means 50 and 220 may be realized in a different way than with cable (strands) jacks, for example with other jacks or with winches. The load 10 may be different, for example of tetrapod type, and be made from metal or of other materials. The invention thus makes it possible to take up a metal jacket of any shape, but also other concrete structures with or without a very tall metal tower, with or without its generator (wind turbine nacelle, rotor and blades). The wind turbine tower does not have to be carried by a floating foot. It may be carried by a central base, carried by a latticework structure connected to feet / floats, or by a fourth foot / float in the center.

[0139] In a variant, the ballast system 208 of the barge 210 is replaced and / or supplemented by a counterweight system that is movable on the barge from the front to the rear and vice versa. In the figures, the lifting means are attached to the load by way of lifting lugs; as a variant, the attachment is performed in a different way, for example by way of lifting lugs attached to the foot in another way, or by any suitable disposition.

[0140] Where appropriate, the offshore lifter 200 may interact with a support system fixed underwater.

[0141] The barge 210 and load 10 may be equipped with sensors such as inclinometers and effort gauges and the installation may comprise at least one automate to control based on signals received from these sensors the pumps of the barge 210 and lifting means 220 as well as counterweights positions to maintain the barge 210 and the load 10 horizontal. The at least one automate may allow manual override.

[0142] The cable length of the lifting means 220 may be long enough to guarantee that the load can be lifted whatever variations of the sea level due to the tide and the cable speed when the load is lifted or brought down is greater than the speed of variation of the sea level due to the tide; for example, the cable speed is about 15 m / h while the variation of the sea level due to the tide is about 2 m / h.

[0143] The transportation of the heavy load to the load-out area is preferably carried out with lateral guiding of the load by cooperation between, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide carried by at least one of the load and its environment (a lifter or the barge), and, on the other hand, a guided structure carried by the other of the load and its environment. This aims to prevent lateral drift between the load and the lifter during the transportation.

[0144] The operation of lowering the heavy load into the water may be carried out with lateral guiding of the load during its descent, by such cooperation of the vertical guide and guided structure. Optionally, the vertical guide comprises a segment connected to the quay in case the horizontal / transversal loads are too big to be taken by the cooperation of the vertical guide and guided structure used for preventing lateral drift during transportation.

[0145] The operation of lowering the heavy load into the water may thus be carried out with lateral guiding of the load during its descent, by cooperation between, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide carried by at least one of the load and its environment (an onshore lifter and / or the quay -also called wharf - or the barge), and, on the other hand, a guided structure carried by the other of the load and its environment, moving along this vertical guide in interaction therewith, this interaction limiting the lateral displacements of the load in at least one lateral direction.

[0146] Guiding means (vertical guide or guided structure) can be provided on one of the feet of the load located on the quay side and on the foot or one of the feet of the load located on the barge side. Preferably, for a heavy load having three feet, guiding means (vertical guide or guided structure) are provided on each of the feet.

[0147] When the heavy load has two feet located on the quay side, each foot can be provided with guiding means (vertical guide or guided structure) acting with the onshore lifter and / or the quay to limit the lateral displacements of the load in two opposite directions; alternatively, only one foot is provided with a guiding means (vertical guide or guided structure) acting with the onshore lifter and / or the quay to limit the lateral displacements of the load in two lateral opposite directions; as another alternative, both feet are each provided with guiding means (vertical guide or guided structure) acting with the onshore lifters and / or the quay to limit the lateral displacements of the load in only one direction, but the blocking directions are opposite for the two feet, so that the result is a limitation of the lateral displacements of the load in two opposite lateral directions.

[0148] The foot located on the barge side and the barge comprise guiding means (vertical guide or guided structure) which preferably limit the displacements of the load in two opposite lateral directions.

[0149] The interaction between the vertical guide and the guided structure can be achieved by keeping the two close together with one bearing against the other in a normal direction, substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction.

[0150] To ensure this proximity, at least one of the vertical guide and the guided structure can be movable in the normal direction relative to the other. Preferably, it is the guided structure that is movable; the guided structure is preferably carried by an actuator which allows it to be moved horizontally in the normal direction; for example, in the retracted configuration of the actuator, the guided structure does not cooperate with the vertical guide and lateral movements are not limited; in the deployed configuration of the actuator, the guided structure cooperates with the vertical guide, which limits lateral movements in at least one direction.

[0151] To prevent the bearing forces on the load from pushing the barge away and moving it away from the quay, the barge can be connected by mooring lines to the onshore lifters or to the quay.

[0152] Before the cooperation of the vertical guides and the guided structures, the mooring lines may not be tensioned, and their length can be chosen so that the mooring lines are tensioned when the guided structures cooperate with the vertical guides. The tension may be monitored thanks to sensors on the actuators (for example pressure in the jacks) and / or moor lines.

[0153] During this cooperation, the guided structures can bear in the normal direction against the vertical guide or an adjacent surface of the element carrying this guide.

[0154] The guided structure may move horizontally and vertically with the heavy load during transportation to the load-out area and when in the load-out area. When a guided structure is provided to move with the load, the vertical guide preferably comprises an upper segment carried by the lifter and a lower segment fixed on the quay when the horizontal / transversal loads would be too big to be taken by a vertical guide carried by the lifter during the load- out operation.

[0155] These segments are positioned one above the other, in alignment.

[0156] At the beginning of the descent, the guided structure cooperates with the upper segment, then during the descent, the guided structure cooperates with the lower segment. At an intermediate stage, the guided structure can cooperate with both the upper and lower segments.

[0157] Thus, when necessary, each foot of the heavy load can be provided with a guided structure, each onshore lifter with an upper segment of vertical guide, the quay with lower segments of vertical guide, and the barge with a vertical guide. During the descent of the load, the upper segments are aligned with the corresponding lower segments. Otherwise, it may be enough to provide the onshore lifters with vertical guide(s), not the quay. The vertical guide can have any profile suitable for the required guiding. The cooperation between the vertical guide and the guided structure can be by sliding and / or rolling.

[0158] In the case of sliding, the guided structure preferably comprises a bearing element such as a skipad that can slide in a vertical groove defined by the vertical guide. The contact surfaces can have one or more coatings or materials to reduce the coefficient of friction; for example, at least one of the skipad and the guide comprises a layer made of PTFE or another low- friction material; the skipad and the vertical guide can also have painted surfaces coming into contact during sliding, notably painted steel surfaces.

[0159] The skipad can have an elongated shape with a vertical body and upper and lower ends bent backward; the skipad can have a circular cross- section. The vertical guide may have a longitudinal grove extending vertically with a bottom of semi-circular cross-section and converging walls on either side.

[0160] The guided structure, especially when comprising a skipad, can be carried by a support frame arranged to be coupled to the heavy load, so as to move vertically with it.

[0161] The support frame can comprise clevises arranged to be assembled to lugs of the heavy load present at the base of the foot.

[0162] The support frame can be connected to the lifting means of a lifter, for example by several lifting cables; thus, the support frame can be assembled to the heavy load before lifting, and the heavy load can be transported suspended from the lifting means via the support frames. In the case the guided structure is configured for rolling along the vertical guide, the guided structure preferably comprises a trolley with multiple wheels, for example carried by several levels of spreader bars. These trolleys roll, for example, in rails of the vertical guides having a U-shaped cross-section.

[0163] The feet of the heavy load can have a cylindrical surface with a vertical axis, and the vertical guide can extend over its entire height on this vertical surface.

[0164] In variants, the feet of the heavy load have a stepped shape, with an upper section of smaller diameter than the lower section, the two being connected, for example, by a frustoconical portion.

[0165] In this case, when the vertical guides are carried by the feet, the vertical guides can comprise a lower segment located on the lower stage and an upper segment located on the upper stage. The guided structure can be movable in a normal direction relative to the load so as to be able to engage in the upper segment during the descent of the load. For example, the guiding means comprise a lower guided structure and an upper guided structure, the lower guided structure moving along the lower guide segment at the beginning of the descent of the load; the upper guided structure is then in the retracted configuration; then, before the lower guided structure disengages from the lower vertical guide segment, the upper guided structure can be deployed and engage on the upper guide segment; the descent of the load can continue, and the lower guided structure disengages from the lower vertical guide segment.

[0166] Figure 19 illustrates the transportation or lowering of the heavy load with lateral guiding of the load ; each onshore lifter 20 can be equipped with a guided structure 710 and the offshore lifter 220 present on the barge 210 can be equipped with a guided structure 740.

[0167] The heavy load 10 can be provided, on at least one of the feet 11, with a vertical guide 720 intended to cooperate with a corresponding guided structure 710 to prevent lateral movements of the heavy load 10, that is, movements in a direction parallel to the axis joining the feet 11. The foot 12 can be provided, as illustrated, with a vertical guide 730 intended to cooperate with the guided structure 740 carried by the offshore lifter 220.

[0168] The barge 210 is connected to the onshore lifters 20 by mooring lines 300, which are shown in Figure 19 in a slack state.

[0169] The guided structure 710 can comprise a bearing element 712 adapted to cooperate with the vertical guide 720 carried by the foot 11 of the heavy load; the bearing element 712 can be movable horizontally relative to the onshore lifter 20 by an actuator 711.

[0170] Similarly, the guided structure 740 can comprise a bearing element 742 adapted to cooperate with the vertical guide 730 carried by the foot 12 and an actuator 741 allowing the bearing element 742 to be moved relative to the offshore lifter 220.

[0171] To ensure engagement of the bearing elements carried by the onshore lifters 20 and by the offshore lifter 220, the actuators 711 and 741 are deployed, as illustrated in Figure 20.

[0172] This causes the mooring lines 300 to be tensioned.

[0173] This configuration makes it possible to keep the elements 712 and 742 in interaction with the vertical guides 720 and 730 and to limit the lateral movements of the heavy load 10 relative to the onshore lifters 20 and the barge 210, while allowing its vertical movement when in the load-out area.

[0174] Figure 21 illustrates the possibility of providing the heavy load 10 with vertical guides 720 on each of the feet 11; each of these guides 720 can be adapted to block a movement of the load in only one direction, and it is the cooperation of the vertical guides 720 of the two feet 11 with the bearing elements 712 that ensures blocking of the lateral movements of the heavy load in both lateral opposite directions.

[0175] Figure 22 illustrates a variant in which each of the feet 11 comprises a vertical guide 720 able to block a movement of the heavy load in two opposite lateral directions.

[0176] In Figures 21 and 22, the guided structures of the onshore lifters 20 and the offshore lifter 220 are shown not engaged in the vertical guides carried by the heavy load, the actuators 711 and 741 being in the retracted configuration.

[0177] Figure 23 illustrates an embodiment of the guiding means for the transportation and load- out into the water of a heavy load 10 as described above.

[0178] The barge 210 is connected at opposite ends to the onshore lifters 20 by mooring lines 300. These lines 300 may include pairs of cables that are wound onto winches located on the onshore lifters 20 and / or on the barge 210.

[0179] As shown in Figure 23, mooring lines 300 may extend on each side of the load 10.

[0180] The orientation of the barge 210 relative to the wharf may be controlled by adjusting the tension in the lines 300; in this way the barge 210 may be kept substantially parallel to the wharf during the transportation and load-out operation.

[0181] Figures 24-25 show an embodiment of the guiding means, which comprises vertical guide rails 310 on the feet 11, 12 of the load 10 on the one hand, and guided structures comprising trolleys 320 carried by the lifters, configured for rolling along the rails 310, on the other hand. Each rail 310 has a U-shaped cross section, as shown in Figure 25, with parallel opposite wings 321a that guide the trolley 320 in the vertical direction.

[0182] Each trolley 320 may comprise as shown a primary spreader frame 321 articulated on a case 325 carried by the girder 21.

[0183] The primary frame 321 carries two secondary spreader frames 322 each articulated onto the frame 321 via an axle 331.

[0184] Each secondary spreader frame 322 carries a pair of roller frames 323 in line with each other. Each roller frame 323 carries two rollers 324 rotating around axles 333.

[0185] Accordingly, the trolley 320 comprises eight rollers 324 in the described example, but the guided structure could be made otherwise without departing from the scope of the present invention. In figure 24, for sake of clarity, the lifting means 50 of one onshore lifter 20 have been hidden.

[0186] In the example of Figures 26 to 28, the feet of the heavy load have a stepped shape with a lower section 350 of larger diameter, an intermediate section 351 of frustoconical shape, and an upper section 352 of smaller diameter.

[0187] The feet carry vertical guides formed by a lower segment 361 fixed on the lower section 350 and an upper segment 362 fixed on the upper section 352.

[0188] The guiding means comprise an additional guided structure 380 located above the guided structure 320 and mounted on an actuator 381.

[0189] Each of the guided structures 320 and 380 comprises, for example, a trolley as previously described, with multiple levels of spreader bars.

[0190] In Figure 26, it can be seen that at the beginning of the descent, the trolley of the guided structure 320 moves along the lower segment 350. The trolley of the upper guided structure 381 is positioned away from the section 352.

[0191] In Figure 27, the trolley of the guided structure 320 reaches the upper end of the lower vertical guide segment 361, and the actuator 381 is actuated to bring the trolley of the upper guided structure 380 closer to the upper vertical guide segment 362 and engage it thereon. Figure 28 illustrates the movement of the trolley of the upper guided structure 380 along the upper segment 362.

[0192] Reference will now be made to Figures 29 to 36 to describe a variant embodiment in which the guiding means comprise upper segments 450 of vertical guides 450 on the onshore lifters and lower segments 480 of vertical guides on the quay on the one hand, and vertical guides 490 on the barge on the other hand.

[0193] The guided structures 420 that cooperate with these vertical guides comprise, as seen in Figure 30, a ski pad 421 connected to a support frame 400 by a set of bars 415.

[0194] The support frame 400 comprises a set of clevises 413 intended, on the one hand, for attachment to the lifting cables and, on the other hand, to the lugs 15 present at the base of the feet of the heavy load.

[0195] The ski pad 421 has a body of circular cross-section, with ends 422 bent backward (that is, toward the support frame 400). The vertical guide comprises a longitudinal groove whose bottom has a substantially semicircular shape, with diverging walls 453 on either side. Partitions 452 contribute to the rigidity of the box forming the guide.

[0196] In Figure 31, the support frame 400 is shown attached to the lugs 15 of the corresponding foot of the load 10.

[0197] The support frame 400 is suspended from the lifting cables of the onshore lifter 20, which are hooked to the clevises 51 by the attachments 413.

[0198] The load is being brought to the load-out area. The ski pad 421 is engaged in the groove of the guide 450. The mooring lines 300 are tensioned, which maintains this engagement.

[0199] In Figure 32, the load 10 is about to arrive at the unloading area.

[0200] The upper segment 450 is positioned in continuity with the lower segment 480, as illustrated in Figure 33, and then the descent of the load can begin.

[0201] In Figure 34, it can be seen that the ski pad 421 engages during the descent in the lower segment 480 fixed to the edge of the quay, thus continuing to provide lateral guidance of the load during its load-out into the water.

[0202] In Figure 35, the ski pad 421 is fully engaged in the lower segment of the vertical guide.

[0203] In Figure 36, the vertical guide 490 carried by the barge 210 is shown. The support frame 400 is shown in this figure not yet coupled to the foot 12 of the heavy load 10, suspended from the lifting means of the offshore lifter 220. The latter may comprise a counterweight 500 fixed on the barge 210, as shown.

[0204] Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention; the shape of the guiding means may vary; for example, the ski pad may be replaced by trolleys and vice-versa. The vertical guides may have other shapes, and the cooperation between a vertical guide and the guided structure may be performed by other mechanical interaction. The lower segments of the vertical guides may not be used if the horizontal / vertical loads allow for vertical guides carried by the lifter only.

Claims

24Claims1. Method for the load-out into water of a heavy load (10), comprising: a) providing at least one onshore lifter (20) comprising: a main longitudinal structure (21), lifting means (50) at the front of said main longitudinal structure (21), a counterweight (60) at the rear of said main longitudinal structure (21), front (40) and rear (30) bases respectively at the front and the rear of said main longitudinal structure (21), legs (39, 43) allowing the lifter (20) to rest on the ground at a height allowing wheel transporters (100) to position themselves at least partially under the front and rear bases for future transportation of the lifter, the front (40) and rear (30) bases being configured for resting on said wheel transporters (100) during transportation of the lifter with said wheel transporters (100), b) providing at least one offshore lifter (200) comprising lifting means (220), c) using wheel transporters (100) for approaching the at least one onshore lifter (20) close to the load (10), d) connecting the lifting means (50) of the at least one onshore lifter (20) and of the at least one offshore lifter (200) to the load (10), e) moving the at least one onshore lifter (20) using wheel transporters (100) and the at least one offshore lifter (200) to transport the load (10) from an onshore area over the water in a load-out area while hoisting it, f) lowering the load into water.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising bringing the load (10) close to the load- out area using wheel transporters (100).

3. Method according to claim 2, at least one same wheel transporter (100) being used for transporting the load onshore close to load-out area and then being moved away from under the load (10) and again used at steps c) and e) for transporting the at least one onshore lifter (20).

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the front base (40) comprising at least one transverse beam (41), under which at least one wheel transporter (100) is positioned during steps c) and e).

5. Method according to claim 4, the at least one onshore lifter (20) comprising spaced apart legs (43) at ends of said at least one transverse beam (41) between which at least one of said wheel transporters (100) is to be positioned, said spaced apart legs (43) being preferably connected by end beams (42) extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure (21), the front base (40) preferably comprising intermediate beams (44) spaced along said at least one transverse beam (41) between the end beams (42) for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters (100) during transportation the at least one lifter (20).

6. Method according to claim 5, the spaced apart legs (43) allowing two wheel transporters (100) to stay one next to the other under the front base (40) at least during step e).

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the front base (40) comprising at least one transverse beam (35), under which at least one wheel transporter (100) is positioned during steps c) and e).

8. Method according to claim 7, the at least one onshore lifter (20) comprising spaced apart legs (43) at ends of said at least one transverse beam (35) between which at least one of said wheel transporters (100) is to be positioned, said spaced apart legs (39) preferably being connected by end beams (38) extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure (21), the rear base (30) preferably comprising intermediate beams (37) spaced along said at least one transverse beam (35) between the end beams (38) for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters (100) during transportation the at least one lifter (20).

9. Method according to claims 5 and 8, the end beams (38) of the rear base (30) being closer to the longitudinal axis (X) of said main longitudinal structure (21) than the end beams (42) of the front base (40).

10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the front (40) and rear (30) bases being connected by bracing (27), preferably two crossing diagonal struts.

11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the front base (40) and / or the rear base (30) each comprising two pairs of transverse beams (41; 35), the beams of each pair being closer to each other than the adjacent beams of the two different pairs.

12. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the load (10) being a tripod or a quadripod.

13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the offshore lifter (200) comprising a barge (210) having a ballast system (208) for varying the height and inclination of said barge relative to the water level, the method comprising controlling the ballast system (208) during lifting and / or lowering of the load into water.

14. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the wheel transporters (100) being SPMTs.

15. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transportation of the load to the load-out area and operation of lowering the heavy load into the water is carried out with lateral guiding of the load (10) during its transportation and descent, by cooperation between, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide (720; 730) carried by at least one of the load (10) and its environment and, on the other hand, a guided structure (710; 740) carried by the other of the load (10) and its environment, moving along this vertical guide (720; 730) in interaction therewith, this interaction limiting the lateral displacements of the load (10) in at least one lateral direction.

16. Method according to claim 15, guiding means being provided on one of the feet (11, 12) of the load (10) located on the quay side and on the foot (12) or one of the feet (11, 12) of the load (10) located on the barge (210) side.

17. Method according to claim 15 or 16, the heavy load (10) having three feet (11, 12), guiding means being provided on each of the feet (11, 12).

18. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, the interaction between the vertical guide (720; 730) and the guided structure (710; 740) being achieved by keeping the two close together with one bearing against the other in a normal direction, substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction.

19. Method according to claim 18, the guided structure (710; 740) being movable and comprising an actuator (711, 741) which allows to move a bearing element (712; 742) substantially horizontally in the normal direction.

20. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, the barge (210) being connected by mooring lines (300) to the onshore lifters (20) or to the quay to prevent bearing forces27 on the load (10) from pushing the barge (210) away and moving it away from the quay.

21. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, the guided structure being configured to move horizontally and vertically with the load (10).

22. Method according to claim 21, at least one of the vertical guides comprising an upper segment (450) carried by the onshore lifter (20) and a lower segment (480) fixed on the quay, wherein the method comprises positioning these segments one above the other, in alignment, and wherein at the beginning of the descent, the guided structure (420) cooperates with the upper segment, then during the descent, the guided structure cooperates with the lower segment.

23. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 22, each foot (11, 12) of the heavy load (10) being provided with a guided structure (420), each onshore lifter (20) with an upper segment of vertical guide (450), the quay with lower segments of vertical guides (450), and the barge (210) with a vertical guide (490), and wherein before the descent of the load (10), the upper segments (450) are aligned with the corresponding lower segments (480).

24. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 23, the guided structure (420) comprising a bearing element such as a ski pad (421) that is configured to slide in a vertical groove defined by the vertical guide (450; 490), the ski pad (421) being carried by a support frame (400) arranged to be coupled to the heavy load (10), so as to move vertically with it, the support frame (400) being assembled to the heavy load (10) before lifting, the heavy load (10) being transported suspended from the lifting means via the support frames (400).

25. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 22, the feet (11, 12) of the heavy load (10) having a stepped shape, with an upper section (352) of smaller diameter than the lower section (350), vertical guides (361, 362) being carried by the feet (11, 12), the vertical guides (361, 362) comprising a lower segment (361) located on the lower section (350) and an upper segment (362) located on the upper section (352), a guided structure (380) being movable in a normal direction relative to the load (10) so as to be able to engage in the upper segment (362) during the descent of the load (10).

26. Method according to claim 25, the guiding means comprising a lower guided structure (320) and an upper guided structure (380), the lower guided structure (320)28 moving along the lower guide segment (361) at the beginning of the descent of the load (10), the upper guided structure (380) being then in the retracted configuration, and before the lower guided structure (320) disengages from the lower vertical guide segment (361), the upper guided structure (380) is deployed and engaged on the upper guide segment (362), then the descent of the load (10) continues, and the lower guided structure (320) disengages from the lower vertical guide segment (361).

27. A lifter (20) for carrying a heavy load, in particular for being used in a method as defined in the preceding claims, comprisingA main longitudinal structure (21), lifting means (50) at the front of said main longitudinal structure (21), the lifting means being connectable to the heavy load, a counterweight (60) at the rear of said main longitudinal structure, front (40) and rear (30) bases respectively at the front and the rear of said main longitudinal structure (21), legs (43, 39) allowing the lifter to rest on the ground at a height allowing wheel transporters (100) to position themselves at least partially under the front and rear bases for future transportation of the lifter (20), the front (40) and rear (30) bases being configured for resting on said wheel transporters (100) during transportation of the lifter (20) with said wheel transporters (100).

28. The lifter (20) of claim 27, wherein: the front base (40) comprises at least one transverse beam (41), under which at least one wheel transporter (100) is positioned during steps c) and e), the lifter (20) comprises spaced apart legs (43) at ends of said at least one transverse beam (41) between which at least one of said wheel transporters (100) is to be positioned, said spaced apart legs (43) are connected by end beams (42) extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure (21), the front base (40) comprises intermediate beams (44) spaced along said at least one transverse beam (41) between the end beams (42) for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters (100) during transportation the at least one lifter (20),29 the spaced apart legs (43) allow two wheel transporters (100) to stay one next to the other under the front base (40), the front base (40) comprises at least one transverse beam (35), under which at least one wheel transporter (100) is to be positioned, the lifter (20) comprises spaced apart legs (43) at ends of said at least one transverse beam (35) between which at least one of said wheel transporters (100) is to be positioned, said spaced apart legs (39) are connected by end beams (38) extending parallel to the main longitudinal structure (21), the rear base (30) comprises intermediate beams (37) spaced along said at least one transverse beam (35) between the end beams (38) for resting on at least one of said wheel transporters (100) during transportation of the lifter (20), the end beams (38) of the rear base (30) are preferably closer to the longitudinal axis (X) of said main longitudinal structure (21) than the end beams (42) of the front base (40), the front (40) and rear (30) bases are connected by bracing (27), preferably two crossing diagonal struts, the front base (40) and / or the rear base (30) each preferably comprises two pairs of transverse beams (41; 35), the beams of each pair being closer to each other than the adjacent beams of the two different pairs.

29. The lifter of any one of claims 27 and 28, comprising at least one of a vertical guide and a guided structure for cooperating with a guided structure or vertical guide fixed to the load for limiting lateral movements of the load during its transportation and its descent.

30. The lifter of claim 29, comprising a guided structure and an actuator for moving the guided structure relative to the lifter in a normal direction, substantially perpendicular to the lateral direction.

31. The lifter of claim 30, comprising a vertical guide (450) configured for receiving a corresponding guided structure (420).

32. The lifter of claim 31, the guided structure comprising a ski pad (421).

33. A combination of a lifter according to claim 31 or 32 and a wharf, the wharf comprising at least one lower segment (480) of a vertical guide configured for aligning with an upper segment (450) of a vertical guide carried by the lifter (20) for guiding a guided structure (420) after it leaves the upper segment (450).

34. A method for loading out a heavy load in the water, wherein the heavy load is transported from a position onshore to a load out position above the water, wherein in the load out position the heavy load is suspended by at least one onshore lifter and at least one offshore lifter, the operation of lowering the heavy load into the water being carried out with lateral guiding of the load during its descent, by cooperation between, on the one hand, at least one vertical guide carried by at least one of the load and its environment such as a lifter, wharf or barge, and on the other hand, a guided structure carried by the other of the load and its environment, moving along this vertical guide in interaction therewith, this interaction limiting the lateral displacements of the load in at least one lateral direction.

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