Securing And Fendering For Skin To Skin Replenishment

"The current state of the art for roll-on/roll-off ships (RO/RO) transfer in the stream is sea state 3 (winds up to 16 knots and waves up to 5 feet), and many ramps are not certified for these conditions. This proposal includes a conceptual design for aRO/RO Cargo Transfer system between two freely floating vessels in the stream in sea states up to state 5. This Cargo Transfer design allows for unlimited end ramp tortional flexibility and reduced weight. Torsional FlexibilityCommercial shipping companies would likely be interested in lightweight, strong and flexible ramps if they were affordable. High-speed ferries, which currently rely on shore-based ramps due to the weight of a shipboard ramp, would also be particularlyinterested in lightweight ramp technology as it can afford a greater range of operational flexibility while limiting the weight impacts on the ship."