This invention relates to apparatus and methods for laying of elongate articles from a vessel. The vessel includes a tower (2), on which is supported tensioning means (20,21), straightening means (19), and a hold-off clamp (14). The hold-off clamp (14) is mounted independently of the tower on a trolley (13) which can be moved into and out of alignment with the laying axis of the tower while supporting the elongate article under laying tension. This enables the pipe string to be moved out of the line of the tower (2) for the fitting of equipment such as mid-line connectors and PLETs. Methods are disclosed for using the apparatus for fitting a connection to the elongate article being laid using cranes etc provided on the vessel to move the trolley (13) and hold the laid pipe string or connection.