Introduction or withdrawal of an elongate member to or from a free body

A method of moving an elongate member along a predetermined axis for the introduction or withdrawal thereof to or from a free body, the method including:

• providing an elongate guide surface extending parallel to said predetermined axis;
• providing a plurality of support elements which are slidable on said elongate guide surface in a direction parallel to said predetermined axis;
• supporting said elongate member on said support elements so that at least a major portion of the mass is supported thereby;
• and
• causing said elongate member and said support elements to move along said predetermined axis;
• wherein the support elements are dismantleable whereby, when the elongate member is supported by a series of three or more said supporting elements, one of said supporting elements of the series can be dismantled to leave the elongate member supported in alignment with said predetermined axis by the remaining support elements,
• wherein an end of the elongate member is caused to move towards and beyond an associated structural member, and wherein the method further comprises:
• causing said elongate member to move in the direction of said associated structural member until said one end is adjacent to said associated structural member;
• dismantling a leading said support element, leaving the elongate member supported by remaining said support elements;
• and
• causing further movement of said elongate member beyond said associated structural member.