A receptacle 20 is removably secured to hull 12 of an offshore
structure
10, and supports an elongate member 14, which may be a riser string,
extending downward to the sea bed or to another structure. The elongate member
14 includes a tapered supporting surface 18, which may be provided
on a tapered stress joint or flex joint 16. The receptacle 20 includes
a mounting bracket 22 secured to the structure 10, and a basket housing
30 which has a tapered interior surface 34 for mating engagement
with the exterior surface 18. According to the method, the mounting bracket
is fixed to the structure, and the receptacle basket positioned about the elongate
member and the assembly then positioned for being supported on the bracket. The
supporting surface on the basket may be arranged for positioning the elongate member
at a selected azimuth and declination relative to the offshore structure.
