Methods and apparatus for retrieving an unmanned marine vehicle from water are disclosed. The unmanned marine vehicle includes a float and a glider connected by a tether. The apparatus includes a buoyant frame having spaced frame arms defining a receiving bay sized to receive the float, and the buoyant frame includes a front end defining an opening of the receiving bay. A glider recovery assembly is coupled to the buoyant frame and includes a first tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, and a second tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, wherein the first tether guide and the second tether guide are cooperatively shaped to define a tether capture gap having a tether inlet adjacent the front end of the buoyant frame and a tether stop positioned rearward of the tether inlet.

System for launch and recovery of a surface vehicle, comprising a floating cradle structure configured to receive the surface vehicle, the cradle structure being bottomless such that contact between a submersed portion of the surface vehicle and the cradle structure is avoided upon receiving the surface vehicle.

System for launch and recovery of a surface vehicle, comprising a floating cradle structure configured to receive the surface vehicle, the cradle structure being bottomless such that contact between a submersed portion of the surface vehicle and the cradle structure is avoided upon receiving the surface vehicle.

Apparatus and methods for recovering watercraft. A ramp is movable relative to a stationary carrying apparatus between a recovering position and a parked position. The ramp includes a frame and a deformable body, which is fastened to the frame. When the ramp is in the recovering position, the deformable body points toward the watercraft to be recovered and is located at least partially above the water surface. The watercraft travels onto the ramp and deforms the deformable body from above. The watercraft is pulled out of the water and moved onto the carrying apparatus.

Virtual anchor features for a navigation/autopilot system for use on a marine vessel are provided herein. An example apparatus associated with a marine vessel includes a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive user input indicating at least a first geographic location and a desired offset distance; determine a current geographic location of at least one of the marine vessel or the apparatus; determine if the current geographic location is within a distance threshold of the desired offset distance from the first geographic location; and cause, in an instance in which the current geographic location is not within the distance threshold, one or more motors of the marine vessel to operate to cause the marine vessel to move to a new geographic location accordingly. A desired orbit pattern may also be employed.

Virtual anchor features for a navigation/autopilot system for use on a marine vessel are provided herein. An example apparatus associated with a marine vessel includes a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to receive user input indicating at least a first geographic location and a desired offset distance; determine a current geographic location of at least one of the marine vessel or the apparatus; determine if the current geographic location is within a distance threshold of the desired offset distance from the first geographic location; and cause, in an instance in which the current geographic location is not within the distance threshold, one or more motors of the marine vessel to operate to cause the marine vessel to move to a new geographic location accordingly. A desired orbit pattern may also be employed.

A method includes: loading a vehicle onto a connector boat; loading the loaded connector boat onto the semi-submersible ship; transporting the semi-submersible ship having the loaded connector boat stored thereon to a location; taking water ballast onto the semi-submersible ship at the location; floating the loaded connector boat off of the semi-submersible ship; transporting the loaded connector boat to a second location; unloading the vehicle into water; and transporting the vehicle to a third location.

A method includes: loading a vehicle onto a connector boat; loading the loaded connector boat onto the semi-submersible ship; transporting the semi-submersible ship having the loaded connector boat stored thereon to a location; taking water ballast onto the semi-submersible ship at the location; floating the loaded connector boat off of the semi-submersible ship; transporting the loaded connector boat to a second location; unloading the vehicle into water; and transporting the vehicle to a third location.

The invention relates to an arrangement of one or more cryogenic tank containers for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) on an open deck of a tugboat. The one or more cryogenic tank containers are removably mounted on and at an aft deck area of the tugboat and are provided with means for supplying LNG or CNG to the engine of the tugboat.

The invention relates to an arrangement of one or more cryogenic tank containers for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) on an open deck of a tugboat. The one or more cryogenic tank containers are removably mounted on and at an aft deck area of the tugboat and are provided with means for supplying LNG or CNG to the engine of the tugboat.