The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fluid transfer between
a fixed marine production platform and a work vessel (eg. jack up barge). The method
includes positioning the work vessel next to the production platform and then adjusting
the elevational position of the vessel relative to the production platform so that
the deck of the production platform and the deck of the work vessel or at about
the same elevational position. A bridge truss spans between the deck portions of
the production platform and work vessel, the truss having interconnected truss
members and a planar surface that enables flexible hoses to be supported by the
truss. The truss further includes a plurality of piping spool pieces that span
across the truss. Ends of the spool pieces have quick connect fittings that enable
the spool pieces to be quickly connected to the piping system of the production
platform and work vessel. The gap between the production platform and the work
vessel are spanned with the truss. Piping systems on the production platform and
work vessel are connected to the spool pieces at the quick connect fittings so
that fluid transfer is enabled between the production platform and the work vessel
via the spool pieces on the truss. An upper tray enables flexible hoses (eq. hydraulic
hoses) to span between the work vessel and production platform.