The marine pipelaying system for vertical or near vertical laying of an
offshore pipeline includes a main supporting structure; a pipe connecting
station, wherein a pipe section is connected to an uppermost end of a
previously launched pipeline; a static clamp adapted for releasably
securing the uppermost end of the previously launched pipeline, wherein
the static clamp is adapted to support the weight of the previously
launched pipeline; a mobile clamp adapted for releasably securing the
previously launched pipeline at a position below the static clamp,
wherein the mobile clamp is adapted to support the weight of the offshore
pipeline as the offshore pipeline is released from the static clamp; and
a mobile clamp hoist connected to the mobile clamp.