Patent ID: 7025014
Filing Date: 2006-04-11
Classification: B63B,B63G

Abstract:
1. In combination with a seawater retrieval ship, a system for onboard retrieval of an unmanned sea craft vehicle located at an underwater location adjacent the retrieval ship, comprising: docking means ejected from the retrieval ship for releasable attachment to the vehicle by hooking means when the vehicle is positioned at said underwater location adjacent to the retrieval ship; signal emitting means on said docking means for controllably maneuvering the vehicle to said underwater location; and towing means extending from the docking means for transferring the vehicle releasably attached thereto by the hooking means onboard the retrieval ship; said docking means comprising: at least one cage of a generally spherical shape within which the signal emitting means is mounted emitting the tracking signal received by a steering control sensor within the vehicle to effect steering thereof; said cage having wiring defining an outer surface thereof to which said hooking means releasably attaches the vehicle; said signal emitting means being centrally positioned within the cage.