Patent ID: 7699015
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: B63B,B63C

Abstract:
1. A system for the launching and recovery of a water-borne sub-ordinate vessel from a marine host vessel, comprising: a capture structure for detachable attachment to a sub-ordinate vessel; a launch and recovery structure connected to the host vessel and including at least first and second elongated guideway members each coupled to the host vessel by a pivotable connection having a pivot axis for pivotal motion thereabout, said first guideway member being spaced transversely from said second guideway member, said first guideway member having a moveable element coupled thereto for relative movement therealong and said second guideway member having a moveable element coupled thereto for relative movement therealong; an extensible tow loop passing from said launch and recovery structure through said capture structure for selective connection or disconnection to a sub-ordinate vessel, a first portion of the tow loop coupled to the moveable element of said first guideway member for relative movement therebetween and a second portion of the tow loop coupled to the moveable element of said second guideway member for relative movement therebetween; means for controlled lengthening and shortening of said tow loop to cause said capture structure to move along the first and second guideway members to launch the capture structure into the water and for recovery of the capture structure from the water; and means for connecting a sub-ordinate vessel to the tow loop; wherein lengthening said tow loop when a capture structure having sub-ordinate vessel attached thereto is on said launch and recovery structure causes at least said capture structure and the sub-ordinate vessel attached thereto to move along the first and second guideway members to launch the capture structure and the sub-ordinate vessel attached thereto into the water and shortening of said tow loop when a sub-ordinate vessel is attached to the capture structure causes said attached capture structure and sub-ordinate vessel to engage the first and second guideway members for relative movement therealong for recovery of the capture structure and attached sub-ordinate vessel from the water.