Self-adjusting reel assembly apparatus, system and method

A reel assembly for an offshore umbilical comprising:

• a frame having an axle;
• a spool having flanges and a drum wherein said spool is mounted on said axle and adapted to hold said offshore umbilical;
• a motor in communication with said spool and adapted to rotate said spool;
• a tensioning device adapted to automatically maintain a relatively constant tension and a relatively constant slippage load on said umbilical when deployed from said spool;
• and
• a processing computer in communication with said tensioning device and said motor wherein said processing computer is adapted to compute said relative constant tension and said relative constant slippage and control said motor.