A hook for lifting a component is described herein. The hook includes a coupling portion configured for coupling to a chain, and a base extending from the coupling portion. The base defines an opening sized to receive a first portion of the component therein, and includes an extension extending from a lower surface of the base. The extension at least partially defines a notch sized to receive a second portion of the component therein. The extension is oriented to engage the second portion of the component to facilitate maintaining the hook in an upright orientation.

Support assembly (F5.13.1) moving sliding assembly (F5.13.3), position lock assembly (F5.13.6), push lock rod (F5.13.8), tension spring (F5.13. 10), threaded cap (F5.13.1 1 ) and release handle (F5.13.12). Bolt holes (F5.13.2), lower protection rod (F5.13.31 ) and upper protection rod (F5.1 3.32). Two lower protection rods (F5.13.14) and one upper protection rod (F5.1 3, 15) with strengthening link (F5.13.16). Push lock rod (F5.1 3,8) is equipped to lock sliding assembly (F5.13.3) in to possible positions in in lock down holes (F5.13.9).

Support assembly (F5.13.1) moving sliding assembly (F5.13.3), position lock assembly (F5.13.6), push lock rod (F5.13.8), tension spring (F5.13. 10), threaded cap (F5.13.1 1 ) and release handle (F5.13.12). Bolt holes (F5.13.2), lower protection rod (F5.13.31 ) and upper protection rod (F5.1 3.32). Two lower protection rods (F5.13.14) and one upper protection rod (F5.1 3, 15) with strengthening link (F5.13.16). Push lock rod (F5.1 3,8) is equipped to lock sliding assembly (F5.13.3) in to possible positions in in lock down holes (F5.13.9).

A method according to certain embodiments generally involves operating a system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a base station. The base station includes a nest including an upper opening having an upper opening diameter and a lower opening having a lower opening diameter less than the upper opening diameter. The lower opening is accessible from within the base station. The method generally includes landing the UAV within the nest such that a portion of the UAV is accessible via the lower opening, releasably attaching a load to the UAV, and operating the UAV to deliver the load to a destination.

A helicopter external cargo hook with dual load beams and a pair of separately independent internal mechanisms configured with multiple releases for rotating each load beam from a closed position to an open position.

There is disclosed a retrieval system for retrieving a vessel from water to a deck of a recovery vessel, comprising: a lifting device mounted on the deck of the recovery vessel, the device comprising a substantially vertically extending structure and a lifting hook mounted to said substantially vertically extending structure so as to be raised and lowered therefrom by way of a first winch; a connection lead having a free end configured to detachably connect to a connection link of the vessel to be retrieved from the water an opposing end of the connection lead being located on the recovery vessel; a capture member mounted with respect to the lifting hook to capture the connection link of the vessel when the free end of the connection lead is raised towards the lifting hook; and a control member mounted with respect to the lifting hook of the lifting device and configured to receive at least a portion of the connection lead so as to direct the connection link to the capture member to be captured thereby as the free end of the connection lead is raised towards the lifting hook; wherein upon capture of the connection link by the capture member the winch is operated to facilitate lifting of the vessel from the water to the deck of the recovery vessel.

There is disclosed a retrieval system for retrieving a vessel from water to a deck of a recovery vessel, comprising: a lifting device mounted on the deck of the recovery vessel, the device comprising a substantially vertically extending structure and a lifting hook mounted to said substantially vertically extending structure so as to be raised and lowered therefrom by way of a first winch; a connection lead having a free end configured to detachably connect to a connection link of the vessel to be retrieved from the water an opposing end of the connection lead being located on the recovery vessel; a capture member mounted with respect to the lifting hook to capture the connection link of the vessel when the free end of the connection lead is raised towards the lifting hook; and a control member mounted with respect to the lifting hook of the lifting device and configured to receive at least a portion of the connection lead so as to direct the connection link to the capture member to be captured thereby as the free end of the connection lead is raised towards the lifting hook; wherein upon capture of the connection link by the capture member the winch is operated to facilitate lifting of the vessel from the water to the deck of the recovery vessel.

An apparatus for removing and/or installing a side guide of a trailer-mounted boat capture system for guiding a boat onto the trailer, the apparatus comprising: an outboard post pivotally attached to an upper support rail of the side guide; two inboard posts, each pivotally attached to the side guide proximal to where the side guide is attached to the trailer via first pins, wherein each inboard post includes a manual leveling jack; an attachment point on the side guide suitable for attaching a winch cable from a boat held in the boat capture system; and second pins attaching the side guide to the trailer such that when the first pins are removed the side guide is free to pivot around the second pins from an upright position towards a support surface.

An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) transport cart comprising: a wheeled frame including vertical posts, a front end, and a rear end; a UUV cradle adjustably clamped to the vertical posts such that the UUV cradle is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame; a U-shaped handle pivotally attached to the front end of the frame such that the U-shaped handle pivots up and down around a first axis, wherein the U-shaped handle includes a handle spring that acts between the U-shaped handle and the frame so as to bias the U-shaped handle toward an upward orientation; side handles pivotally attached to the UUV cradle such that the side handles pivot up and down around side axes that are perpendicular to the first axis; and a hand brake affixed to the U-shaped handle and configured to provide active brake control of the wheeled frame.

A snap-hook comprising: a hook-shaped body having a throat opening and a shank end, wherein the hook-shaped body includes a primary aperture located at the shank end suitable for attaching a primary line and a secondary aperture located approximately opposite the throat opening suitable for attaching a secondary line; and a dual-direction latch pivotally attached to the hook-shaped body such that the dual-direction latch spans the throat opening when in a neutral position and is capable of pivoting into and out of the throat of the hook-shaped body, wherein the dual-direction latch comprises a bent wire having two free ends, each end inserted in a different hole of two holes in the hook-shaped body that are non-axially-aligned resulting in a spring force that biases the dual-direction latch toward the neutral position and resists pivotal movement of the dual-direction latch both into and out of the throat.