48 in like manner any tendency for lateral movement of the deck 10 with respect to the columns 12 may also be to a limited extent accommodated by the resilient elastomeric collars 48 without damage to the legs 18 or the columns 12 the operating condition just described is also illustrated in fig6 showing engagement of the sleeves 46 with the shoulders 90 on the receiver shoes 12 fig7 illustrates the change in condition of the stabbing tip assemblies 36 by way of example as ballasting of the barge 22 continues until the weight of the deck 10 is completely transferred to and through the stabbing tip assemblies 36 by way of the collars 48 which have become deflected somewhat vertically upwardly from the previous relaxed downward projected condition in order to monitor and equalize the loads on each stabbing tip assembly 36 the sleeves 46 are preferably fitted with suitable strain gages and associated readout instrumentation not shown fig7 also illustrates that one or more of the gussets 106 have been separated from the flange 108 in preparation for final separation from the deck 10 referring also now to fig8 prior to complete transfer of all of the weight of the deck 10 to the columns 12 through the collars 48 all of the gussets 106 are cut to release the connection between the jacks 34 and the deck columns 92 at this time the ports 102 may be uncovered to release sand 100 from the jacks 34 to allow the bodies 96 and support cans 98 to drop down entirely within the bodies 90 thereby making it possible for moving the barge 22 and its support column assembly 30 out from under the deck 10 alternatively.