semisubmersible


sem·i·sub·mers·i·ble

S0258575 (sĕm′ē-səb-mûr′sə-bəl, sĕm′ī-)n.1. Any of various self-propelled water vessels designed so that most, but not all, of the structure is submerged, including vessels with decks close to the waterline for transporting large structures such as oil rigs and disabled ships, and vessels with minimal structure above the waterline for avoiding detection.2. A seagoing, self-propelled barge that has partially submerged vertical legs attached to underwater hulls or pontoons and serves as living quarters and a base of operations in offshore drilling. In this sense also called semisubmersible rig.
sem′i·sub·mer′si·ble adj.

semisubmersible

(ˌsɛmɪsəbˈmɜːsəbəl) adj1. (Mining & Quarrying) nautical (of an oil rig or watercraft) that can put much of its bulk under water2. (Nautical Terms) nautical (of an oil rig or watercraft) that can put much of its bulk under watern3. (Nautical Terms) nautical a watercraft that can put much of its bulk under water4. (Mining & Quarrying) mining a shortened form of semisubmersible rig

sem•i•sub•mers•i•ble

(ˌsɛm i səbˈmɜr sə bəl, ˌsɛm aɪ-)

n. 1. Also called sem′isubmers′ible rig′. a self-propelled barge mounted on legs supported by underwater pontoons, on which offshore drilling crews live and work. adj. 2. of or for a semisubmersible. [1960–65]