Systems and methods are provided for lifting and stowing water-borne vessels. The systems and methods can be used, for example, to lift a small vessel, such an inflatable dinghy, onto a larger water-borne vessel equipped with an outboard motor; and to stow the dinghy above the outboard motor. The systems and methods permit the dinghy to be lifted out of the water from a position behind the larger vessel, with any need to remove, disassemble, or move the outboard motor.

Methods and apparatus for deploying a plurality of unmanned marine vehicles into water, in which each unmanned marine vehicle including a float and a glider connected by a tether. A buoyant platform carries the plurality of unmanned marine vehicles is advanced through the water. Each respective unmanned marine vehicle is secured in an associated apparatus comprising a buoyant frame defining a receiving bay, a float clamp assembly coupled to the buoyant frame and selectively retaining a float of the respective unmanned marine vehicle in the receiving bay, and a glider retainer assembly configured to selectively hold the glider of the respective unmanned marine vehicle below the buoyant frame. Each respective unmanned marine vehicle and associated apparatus is transferred from the buoyant platform to the water, and each respective unmanned marine vehicle is deployed from the associated apparatus.

Methods and apparatus for deploying a plurality of unmanned marine vehicles into water, in which each unmanned marine vehicle including a float and a glider connected by a tether. A buoyant platform carries the plurality of unmanned marine vehicles is advanced through the water. Each respective unmanned marine vehicle is secured in an associated apparatus comprising a buoyant frame defining a receiving bay, a float clamp assembly coupled to the buoyant frame and selectively retaining a float of the respective unmanned marine vehicle in the receiving bay, and a glider retainer assembly configured to selectively hold the glider of the respective unmanned marine vehicle below the buoyant frame. Each respective unmanned marine vehicle and associated apparatus is transferred from the buoyant platform to the water, and each respective unmanned marine vehicle is deployed from the associated apparatus.

A system and method of extracting a tube from the water by pulling the tube up a pair of elongated rails extending aft of the stern of a vessel and positioning the tube between a tube containment arm disposed above each of the elongated rails so that the tube is pressure fit therein. The pair of elongated rails can be pivoted up and out of the water for transportation and storage. The elongated rails and the tube containment arms can be telescopic.

A system and method of extracting a tube from the water by pulling the tube up a pair of elongated rails extending aft of the stern of a vessel and positioning the tube between a tube containment arm disposed above each of the elongated rails so that the tube is pressure fit therein. The pair of elongated rails can be pivoted up and out of the water for transportation and storage. The elongated rails and the tube containment arms can be telescopic.

Systems and methods are provided for lifting and stowing water-borne vessels. The systems and methods can be used, for example, to lift a small vessel, such an inflatable dinghy, onto a larger water-borne vessel equipped with an outboard motor; and to stow the dinghy above the outboard motor. The systems and methods permit the dinghy to be lifted out of the water from a position behind the larger vessel, with any need to remove, disassemble, or move the outboard motor.

A system and method of extracting a tube from the water by pulling the tube up a pair of elongated rails extending aft of the stern of a vessel and positioning the tube between a tube containment arm disposed above each of the elongated rails so that the tube is pressure fit therein. The pair of elongated rails can be pivoted up and out of the water for transportation and storage. The elongated rails and the tube containment arms can be telescopic.

A system and method of extracting a tube from the water by pulling the tube up a pair of elongated rails extending aft of the stern of a vessel and positioning the tube between a tube containment arm disposed above each of the elongated rails so that the tube is pressure fit therein. The pair of elongated rails can be pivoted up and out of the water for transportation and storage. The elongated rails and the tube containment arms can be telescopic.

A recovery apparatus and a recovery method is disclosed for recovering a watercraft, in particular for recovering a boat on board a mother ship. A frame actuator pulls a frame of the recovery apparatus relative to a carrying structure from a recovering position into a parked position. A chain drive moves a chain relative to the frame along a closed curve. The chain comprises at least one driver. A watercraft to be recovered is connected temporarily to the chain and is pulled out of the water by the movement of the frame relative to the carrying structure and by the movement of the chain having the drivers relative to the frame.

A recovery apparatus and a recovery method is disclosed for recovering a watercraft, in particular for recovering a boat on board a mother ship. A frame actuator pulls a frame of the recovery apparatus relative to a carrying structure from a recovering position into a parked position. A chain drive moves a chain relative to the frame along a closed curve. The chain comprises at least one driver. A watercraft to be recovered is connected temporarily to the chain and is pulled out of the water by the movement of the frame relative to the carrying structure and by the movement of the chain having the drivers relative to the frame.