An A-frame is a large, hinged steel structure mounted on the stern of offshore vessels, commonly used in subsea cable and equipment deployment. It has a shape resembling the letter "A" and can pivot to lift and lower heavy loads over the side or stern of the vessel.
Key features:
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Provides a stable lifting point for deploying or recovering subsea equipment and cables
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Typically works with winches, sheaves, or overboarding systems
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Designed to handle high loads in challenging marine conditions
A-frames are crucial for safely launching and recovering tools like remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), ploughs, and cable systems during offshore operations.
