Patent ID: 9199698
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: B63B,B63C

Abstract:
1. An engagement apparatus for use in the recovery of a marine craft to a mother ship, the apparatus comprising: a receptacle adapted to be coupled to one of a mother ship and a marine craft; an engagement probe adapted to be coupled to the other of the mother ship and the marine craft, wherein the engagement probe is adapted to engage one or more engagement locations in the receptacle to align the probe with the receptacle; and a locking device configured to secure the probe to the receptacle to secure the marine craft to the mother ship for recovery, wherein the engagement probe comprises a latching recess and the receptacle comprises latching brackets for engaging the latching recess, and wherein at least one of: the receptacle is coupled to the marine craft to be recovered and the engagement probe is coupled to the mother ship; the receptacle comprises a plurality of engagement locations, the engagement locations comprising a plurality of spaced channels located in a wall of the receptacle; the receptacle comprises at least one ramp for directing the engagement probe into an engagement location; wherein the receptacle further comprises at least one recess configured to receive a leading end of the engagement probe, the receptacle comprising at least one recess corresponding to each engagement location; and the locking device comprises at least one hook arm configured to engage a corresponding shoulder in the receptacle.