A bend stiffener 2 is disclosed for preventing excessive bending of an
elongate member, e.g. a marine riser, in a region where it enters a tube,
e.g. an "l" or "J" tube mounted on a hydrocarbon extraction platform. The
bend stiffener has an elongate sleeve 8 having a through-going cavity
which receives the elongate member in use. The sleeve is to be mounted by
means of (i) a mating part 18 received by the tube and (ii) an axial
locating arrangement 6, 12, 14, 16. The axial locating arrangement is
designed to permit at least some angular movement. As a result bending
moments are borne by the engagement of the mating part 18 with the tube.
The axial locating arrangement does not suffer large bending moments and
so problems of fatigue in this area are alleviated.