(19)

(11)

EP 0 879 172 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 25.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/48 (21) Application number: 96945776.0 (22) Date of filing: 23.12.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B63B 27/ 14( . ) B63C 9/ 22( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/NO1996/000303 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/029946 (21.08.1997 Gazette 1997/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 13.02.1996 NO 19960000559 (71) Applicant: Koppernaes A.S 6018 Alesund (NO)	(74) Representative: Higgins, Michael Roger  A.R. Davies & Co. 27, Imperial Square Cheltenham Glos. GL50 1RQ Cheltenham Glos. GL50 1RQ (GB)