A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.

A transport box may be utilized to set down a watercraft into water with a traction mechanism, with a support for securing the traction mechanism for lowering the transport box, and with a frame that is designed to receive the watercraft in the transport box. The transport box is configured to receive an upper side of the watercraft and to set the watercraft down on a lower side into the water.

A device for launching and recovering a box sampler includes a suspension coop, a rail assembly, a moving mechanism, a power unit, and a lifting frame. The rail assembly is fixedly arranged on a deck. The moving mechanism is arranged on the rail assembly and can move along the rail assembly. A fixed end of the power unit is articulated with a top end of the moving mechanism, and an extending end of the power unit is articulated with an open end of an upper frame of the lifting frame. A closed end of the upper frame of the lifting frame is articulated with a front end of the moving mechanism. According to the device for launching and recovering a box sampler, the box sampler can be smoothly launched and recovered. The sampler in the suspension coop can be kept horizontal and is prevented from severely shaking.

A device for recovering a vessel at sea from a surface station, the recovery device includes a cradle intended to support the vessel, a lifting device comprising an upper frame and a set of hangers connecting the cradle to the upper frame, lengths of the hangers being variable so as to make it possible to hoist and lower the cradle, a first stabilizing hanger and a second stabilizing hanger being able to be in a stabilizing configuration wherein the first stabilizing hanger and the second stabilizing hanger are under tension and extend linearly, and wherein a first orthogonal projection of the first stabilizing hanger on a transverse plane (y, z) defined by an axis z, which is linked to the upper frame and extends substantially vertically in calm seas, and by an axis y orthogonal to the axis z, and a second orthogonal projection of the second stabilizing hanger on the transverse plane are inclined with respect to one another so as to make it possible to limit swaying of the cradle with respect to the upper frame.

A device for recovering a vessel at sea from a surface station, the recovery device includes a cradle with negative buoyancy, intended to support the vessel, a lifting device comprising an upper frame and a set of hangers connecting the cradle to the upper frame, lengths of the hangers being variable so as to make it possible to raise and lower the cradle, a guide float capable of having a predetermined positive buoyancy, the guide float being interposed between the cradle and the upper frame so that the cradle is intended to support the guide float during the raising of the cradle, the guide float being configured and connected to the cradle in order to guide the vessel moving on the surface of the water with a speed of movement comprising a positive component along an axis x associated with the upper frame, toward a front part of the guide float when the guide float has the predetermined positive buoyancy, the guide float being in connection with three degrees of freedom in rotation with the cradle.

A system for deploying and recovering an autonomous underwater device (AUD) using a surface carrier ship, includes, in addition to the carrier ship, a subaquatic vehicle (SV) guided by a connection wire connected to the carrier ship, the SV able to be positioned in a storage configuration wherein the SV is fixedly but removably joined to the carrier ship in a storage zone, or in a configuration for use, in which the SV, separated from the carrier ship, is in the water and at a distance from the carrier ship while remaining connected by the connection wire, the SV including propulsion, guiding and stabilizing systems and a station for receiving the AUD allowing it to be removably attached to the SV, the receiving station and the AUD including a complementary automated docking unit allowing the AUD to automatically dock with the receiving station during recovery and attach itself thereto.

A device for launching and recovering a box sampler includes a suspension coop, a rail assembly, a moving mechanism, a power unit, and a lifting frame. The rail assembly is fixedly arranged on a deck. The moving mechanism is arranged on the rail assembly and can move along the rail assembly. A fixed end of the power unit is articulated with a top end of the moving mechanism, and an extending end of the power unit is articulated with an open end of an upper frame of the lifting frame. A closed end of the upper frame of the lifting frame is articulated with a front end of the moving mechanism. According to the device for launching and recovering a box sampler, the box sampler can be smoothly launched and recovered. The sampler in the suspension coop can be kept horizontal and is prevented from severely shaking.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

A cleat for mooring a watercraft at a thrown end of a line has a base surmounted by a body, the base being fastenable to a watercraft deck, the line having a rope and stopper formed by a transverse protuberance, the cleat having an engagement part adjoining the base and a funnel-shaped through-opening to an elongate slot in the body, the slot having a height allowing the longitudinal progression and transverse passage of the rope from the opening towards the interior of the body, the slot leading into a chamber having a minimum dimension greater than the minimum slot height, the maximum dimension of the chamber being less than the dimension of the protuberance forming the stopper so the stopper of a line passing transversely through the body can be blocked against a the body side face both with the rope in the slot and in the chamber.

A subsea garage for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) has a body having a receptacle for the UUV, an open top providing a transit path for the UUV into and out of the receptacle and a base opposed to the open top, the base being arranged to lie on the seabed. At least one post is movable, subsea, relative to the body into a deployed position extending upwardly from the body above the open top. A lid may also be movable relative to the body between a closed position that closes the open top and an open position that allows the UUV to move along the transit path through the open top. A fixed post may extend upwardly from the body above the open top, in which case the lid may enclose the post when in the closed position and expose the post when in the open position.