Access support for offshore installations

Abstract

A support structure (10) suitable for use as a support structure to an offshore platform (12), the support structure (10) comprising a main support strut (30) having a lower end and anchorable, in use, to the seabed (16) and an upper portion arranged, in use, to extend above sea level to a height substantially equal to, or greater than, that of the platform (12), the support strut (30) comprising a guide rail (62) extending upwardly from a level above the sea level (18) to the top of the support strut (30) for cooperating with a raising framework (90) slideably mountable to the guide rail (62), and further comprising drive means (98) cooperating between the raising framework (90) and the guide rail (62) for elevating the raising framework (90) relative to the support rail (62), the support structure (10) being characterised by: the support strut (30) and raising framework (90) each comprising tracks (70, 100) arranged to substantially align end-to-end when the raising framework (90) is elevated to the top of the support strut (30), the tracks (70, 100), when so aligned, forming a substantially continuous track for laterally transferring a payload (42) from the raising framework (90) to the top of the strut (30).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.