(19)

(11)

EP 1 597 141 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 16.06.2005 (43) Date of publication: 23.11.2005 Bulletin 2005/47 (21) Application number: 04715646.8 (22) Date of filing: 27.02.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B63B 21/24 (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/005892 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/077951 (16.09.2004 Gazette 2004/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 28.02.2003 US 451380 P (71) Applicant: Modec International, L.L.C. Houston, TX 77040 (US)	(72) Inventors: WYBRO, Pieter, G. Houston, TX 77094 (US) WU, Shakai Houston, TX 77450 (US) (74) Representative: Doble, Richard George Vivian  Langner Parry 52-54 High Holborn London, WC1V 6RR London, WC1V 6RR (GB)