LAUNCHING PROCESS OF A SELF-

UPENDING JACKET FROM AN OFFSHORE

BARGE
Arrangement of Rocker Arms on The Barge

• The rocker arms are two beams that are installed at the
stern of the barge in line with the skid beams.
• They are connected to the stern through hinges.
• The rocker arms serve to support the jacket weight as it
rotates over the barge stern and dives into the water.
• As such, the rocker arms and the supporting hinges can be
substantial structures.
Stability Criteria During Launching
Operation
• A launch barge is a flat top cargo barge equipped with skid beams, a rocker arm, launch
winches and a suitable ballasting system.
• Jackets are designed to be either self-pending or upended with the assistance of a
crane vessel.
• Launched jackets need to have sufficient reserve buoyancy- to ensure they float at the
end of the launch sequence.
• The jacket legs are made buoyant by the use of rubber diaphragms at their bottom ends
and steel caps at the top.
• Additional buoyancy located appropriately is sometimes required to achieve the
required level of reserve buoyancy/to ensure the jacket will upend itself at the end of
the launch sequence.
• Launching operations require the jacket to be fitted with a launch truss. The launch
truss - integral part of the jacket structure and serves to transfer the weight of the
jacket into the skid beams and the rocker arm during the launching operation.
• The jacket and barge combination need to meet the stability criteria prior to and during
the launch operation. Between the initiation of sliding and the rotation of the jacket,
the barge has to meet reduced stability criteria [Noble Denton Guidelines 00281].