VESSEL COMPRISING A MOORING CONNECTOR WITH A HEAVE COMPENSATOR

The invention relates to a vessel (1) having a hull (3), a contact area (5) at the hull near keel level (7) for attaching to a structure (6), such as a mooring structure, a lifting device (21) on the vessel and a lifting cable (20) attached to the lifting device and extending along a heave compensating member (23) on the vessel. The lifting cable extends along a substantially vertical lifting trajectory (35) to a connect position below keel level. The heave compensating member comprises a guide element (30) along which the lifting cable is guided and which is connected to a displacement device (36, 36', 36") for moving of the guide element (30). The invention is characterized in that the heave compensating member (23) comprises a compensator arm (25) with a pivot end pivotally connected to a pivot point (27) on the vessel at a predetermined transverse distance from the lifting trajectory (35), the cable guide element (30) being attached to a free end of the compensator arm (25) at or near the lifting trajectory, guiding the lifting cable (20) in the direction of the pivot point (27), the arm (25) being at or near the free end connected to the displacement device (36, 36', 36"). The heave compensating member according to the invention is of a compact construction and provides efficient heave compensation. Mechanical connection of the structure, such as a buoy, to the arm, allows exertion of a lifting force that exceeds the load capacity of the lifting cable during the final connection stage. Design of the arm so that the lifting cable remains stationary at the heave compensating member during heave compensation, results in an increased lifetime of the lifting cable. La présente invention concerne un navire (1) ayant une coque (3), une zone de contact (5) sur la coque à proximité du niveau de la quille (7) et destinée à se fixer à une structure (6), par exemple une structure d'amarrage, un dispositif de levage (21) sur le navire et un câble de levage (20) fixé au dispositif de levage et s'étendant le long d'un élément de compensation de houle (23) sur le navire. Le câble de levage s'étend le long d'une trajectoire de levage sensiblement verticale (35) jusqu'à une position de connexion située sous le niveau de la quille. L'élément de compensation de houle comprend un élément de guidage (30) le long duquel le câble de levage est guidé et qui est connecté à un dispositif de déplacement (36, 36', 36") permettant de déplacer l'élément de guidage (30). L'invention