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 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 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 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.

An offshore node deployment system includes a control system, a surface vessel including a deck, and a propulsion system in signal communication with the control system, a node storage container supported by the deck of the surface vessel, wherein the node storage container is configured to store a plurality of nodes which are physically disconnected from each other, and a node deployment system supported by the deck of the surface vessel and controllable by the control system, wherein the node deployment system is configured to retrieve the nodes from the node storage container and deploy the nodes to a subsea location.

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 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 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.