Method for anchoring a hollow tubular element in a water bottom, and assembly of the tubular element and a closing body

A method for anchoring a hollow tubular element with a longitudinal direction and two open outer ends in a water bottom, wherein the method comprises the steps of

• a) providing the tubular element, wherein an upper outer end is provided with a removable closing body for substantially closing the upper outer end in an airtight manner;
• b) taking up the tubular element with closing body by the upper outer end from a vessel into a substantially vertical position with a lifting means;
• c) lowering the tubular element with closing body suspended from the lifting means into the water, wherein air in the tubular element with closing body is compressed and a pressure in the tubular element with closing body increases;
• d) adjusting a weight of the tubular element with closing body suspended from the lifting means by controlling the pressure in the tubular element by allowing the air to escape at least partially in a controlled manner and/or suctioning the air away at least partially in a controlled manner to below atmospheric pressure from the tubular element with closing body, whereby the pressure in the tubular element with closing body decreases and the tubular element with closing body penetrates the water bottom under the weight, wherein allowing the compressed air to escape is performed at the latest when the tubular element with closing body begins to float until the tubular element with closing body has penetrated the water bottom over a length;
• e) removing the closing body;
• and
• f) optionally driving the tubular element further into the water bottom.