A lifeboat launch control system. The lifeboat launch control system has a wheel trunk that runs along the side of a ship. An axle box is vertically movable in the wheel trunk. The axle box has a pair of wheels on opposing sides of a bar. A shaft is removably inserted into the bar. The shaft is removable from the bar by a handle. When the shaft is removed from the bar, the lifeboat is released from the ship.

A lifeboat launch control system. The lifeboat launch control system has a wheel trunk that runs along the side of a ship. An axle box is vertically movable in the wheel trunk. The axle box has a pair of wheels on opposing sides of a bar. A shaft is removably inserted into the bar. The shaft is removable from the bar by a handle. When the shaft is removed from the bar, the lifeboat is released from the ship.

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.

A launch and recovery system has a first transportable assembly including a first base portion, a first upright arm coupled to the first base portion, and a first handling mechanism configured to move the first upright arm. The launch and recovery system has a second transportable assembly including a second base portion selectively couplable/uncouplable from the first base portion, a second upright arm coupled to the second base portion, and a second handling mechanism configured to move the second upright arm. The launch and recovery system has a third transportable assembly including a crossbeam mounted on the first and second upright arms, and a connecting device mounted on the crossbeam to selectively hold/release an underwater vehicle during launching and recovery.

A launch and recovery system has a first transportable assembly including a first base portion, a first upright arm coupled to the first base portion, and a first handling mechanism configured to move the first upright arm. The launch and recovery system has a second transportable assembly including a second base portion selectively couplable/uncouplable from the first base portion, a second upright arm coupled to the second base portion, and a second handling mechanism configured to move the second upright arm. The launch and recovery system has a third transportable assembly including a crossbeam mounted on the first and second upright arms, and a connecting device mounted on the crossbeam to selectively hold/release an underwater vehicle during launching and recovery.