Device and method to set and salvage structures

A method of removing a vertical marine structure from the sea floor and setting the marine structure on a barge in a horizontal position, the barge including at least one buoyancy tank connected to at least one grappling arm equipped with at least one grapple, the grappling arm being movably connected to at least one inclined jacking unit, the inclined jacking unit being connected by a hinge to at least one horizontal jacking unit, the horizontal jacking unit being movably connected to at least one horizontal rail mounted substantially along the entire length of the deck of the barge, comprising the steps of:

• A. Extending the grappling arm fully behind the barge such that it is supported on the sea surface at one end of the grappling arm by the buoyancy tank and at the other end of the grappling arm by the barge with substantially the entire length of the grappling arm over the surface of the sea;
• B. Lowering the grappling arm by the buoyancy tank to the sea floor;
• C. Locating the grappling arm near the marine structure;
• D. Placing the grapples around a structural member of the marine structure;
• E. Pulling the marine structure over at an angle;
• F. Filling the buoyancy tank with air to allow the buoyancy tank to raise itself, the grappling arm and the marine structure to the surface of the sea;
• G. Pulling the marine structure out of the sea and onto the barge with the horizontal jacking unit.

A method of removing a horizontal marine structure from a barge and setting the marine structure in a vertical position on the sea floor, the barge including at least one buoyancy tank, connected to at least one grappling arm equipped with at least one grapple, the grappling arm being movably connected to at least one inclined jacking unit that is connected by a hinge to at least one horizontal jacking unit that is movably connected to at least one horizontal rail mounted substantially along the entire fore/aft length of the deck of the barge, comprising of the steps of:

• A. transporting the marine structure to the erection location while the marine structure is resting substantially along the entire fore/aft length of the barge deck in the horizontal position on the grappling arms;
• B. pushing the marine structure off of the barge so that the marine structure fully extends on the surface of the sea aft of the barge with some of the weight of the marine structure bearing on the buoyancy tank and some of the weight of the marine structure bearing on the barge;
• C. flooding the buoyancy tank with water causing the buoyancy tank and the grappling arm and the marine structure to sink until the buoyancy tank sets on the sea floor;
• D. positioning the marine structure into an upright position on the sea floor;
• E. releasing the grapple from the marine structure;
• F. pulling the grappling arm and the buoyancy tank away from the marine structure;
• G. refloating the buoyancy tank and the grappling arm until they are fully extended on the surface of the sea aft of the barge by pumping air into the buoyancy tank;
• H. pulling the grappling arm onto the barge with the horizontal jacking unit.