Personnel transfer device

A personnel transfer device, comprising:

• a base;
• a top;
• a plurality of generally peripherally-disposed cables extending between the base and the top;
• a generally centrally-disposed support column coupled between the base and the top for maintaining a generally-fixed distance between the base and the top and for providing tension in the plurality of generally peripherally-disposed cables extending between the base and the top;
• a heave compensator configured to provide damping of motion of a first end thereof relative to a second end thereof, the heave compensator disposed generally longitudinally within a lateral extent of the generally centrally-disposed support column, wherein the first end of the heave compensator is attached to the generally centrally-disposed support column, and wherein the second end of the heave compensator is configured for coupling to a master link assembly for lifting of the personnel transfer device;
• plural floatation modules coupled to upper portions of respective pairs of adjacent cables of the plurality of generally peripherally-disposed cables, a first lateral end of each floatation module attached to an upper portion of a first cable of one of the respective pairs of adjacent cables of the plurality of generally peripherally-disposed cables, and a second lateral end of each floatation module attached to an upper portion of a second cable of the one of the respective pairs of adjacent cables of the plurality of generally peripherally-disposed cables;
• and
• an opening beneath each of the plural floatation modules, the opening extending from a bottom surface of each of the plural floatation modules to a top surface of the base.

A method of retrofitting a personnel transfer device having a base, a top, and a plurality of generally peripherally-disposed cables extending between the base and the top and in which, when the personnel transfer device is configured for transport operations, a generally fixed distance between the base and the top is maintained together with tension in the plurality of generally peripherally-disposed cables extending between the base and the top, the method comprising:

• providing a generally centrally-disposed support column;
• providing a heave compensator disposed generally within the generally centrally-disposed support column, wherein a first end of the heave compensator is attached to the generally centrally-disposed support column, and wherein a second end of the heave compensator is configured for coupling to a master link assembly for lifting of the personnel transfer device during the transport operations;
• and
• replacing a buoyant padding surrounding the base with a non-buoyant padding or non-buoyant bumper.

An apparatus for marine applications, comprising:

• a personnel transfer device;
• a heave compensator configured to be disposed generally longitudinally within a lateral extent of a generally centrally-disposed support column of the personnel transfer device, wherein a first end of the heave compensator is configured to be attached to the generally centrally-disposed support column, and wherein a second end of the heave compensator is configured for coupling to a master link assembly for lifting of the personnel transfer device;
• plural floatation modules, wherein each floatation module is attachable between upper portions of a pair of respective generally peripherally-disposed cables of the personnel transfer device;
• and
• an opening beneath each of the plural floatation modules, the opening extending from a bottom surface of each of the plural floatation modules to a top surface of a base of the personnel transfer device.