(19)

(11)

EP 1 177 128 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 06.02.2002 Bulletin 2002/06 (21) Application number: 00919349.1 (22) Date of filing: 29.02.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B63H 5/125 (86) International application number: PCT/US0005/273 (87) International publication number: WO 0051/884 (08.09.2000 Gazette 2000/36)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 03.03.1999 US 121812 P (71) Applicant: Global Marine Inc. Houston, TX 77079-4416 (US)	(72) Inventors: DREITH, Mark, William Houston, TX 77095-3400 (US) BRITTIN, Darryl, Scott Katy, TX 77493 (US) (74) Representative: W.P. THOMPSON & CO.  Coopers Building, Church Street Liverpool L1 3AB Liverpool L1 3AB (GB)