A docking device includes a docking station capable of being connected to a carrying vessel by means of a cable, the docking station comprising a guide device which comprises a set of arms which are connected to the body and each comprise a distal end and a proximal end, the set of arms being capable of being in a deployed configuration wherein it defines a space flaring towards the rear so as to enable the underwater vehicle to be guided to the stop, the distal end of each arm being located behind the proximal end of the arm in the deployed configuration, the set of arms being capable of being in a collapsed configuration wherein a distal end of each arm of the set of arms is closer to the longitudinal axis than in the deployed configuration and wherein the distal end is located in front of the position occupied by the distal end in the deployed configuration, such that a length, along the axis x, of a space defined by the set of arms behind the stop is smaller in the collapsed configuration than in the deployed configuration

A docking device includes a docking station capable of being connected to a carrying vessel by means of a cable, the docking station comprising a guide device which comprises a set of arms which are connected to the body and each comprise a distal end and a proximal end, the set of arms being capable of being in a deployed configuration wherein it defines a space flaring towards the rear so as to enable the underwater vehicle to be guided to the stop, the distal end of each arm being located behind the proximal end of the arm in the deployed configuration, the set of arms being capable of being in a collapsed configuration wherein a distal end of each arm of the set of arms is closer to the longitudinal axis than in the deployed configuration and wherein the distal end is located in front of the position occupied by the distal end in the deployed configuration, such that a length, along the axis x, of a space defined by the set of arms behind the stop is smaller in the collapsed configuration than in the deployed configuration

A docketing device includes a docking station able to be hauled by a carrying vessel at a tow point (T), the docking station comprising a body comprising a beam extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (x) of the body and a stop allowing a movement of an underwater vehicle with respect to the body along the longitudinal axis (x) to be blocked, the dorsal beam extending longitudinally above the underwater vehicle in abutment against the stop, a center of gravity of the docking station and a center of buoyancy of the docking station being positioned, and the tow point (T) being able to occupy a docking position that is such that the docking station exhibits a predetermined docking negative pitch when it is fully submerged and hauled by the carrying vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a predetermined speed.

A docketing device includes a docking station able to be hauled by a carrying vessel at a tow point (T), the docking station comprising a body comprising a beam extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (x) of the body and a stop allowing a movement of an underwater vehicle with respect to the body along the longitudinal axis (x) to be blocked, the dorsal beam extending longitudinally above the underwater vehicle in abutment against the stop, a center of gravity of the docking station and a center of buoyancy of the docking station being positioned, and the tow point (T) being able to occupy a docking position that is such that the docking station exhibits a predetermined docking negative pitch when it is fully submerged and hauled by the carrying vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a predetermined speed.

A docketing device includes a docking station able to be hauled by a carrying vessel at a tow point (T), the docking station comprising a body comprising a beam extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (x) of the body and a stop allowing a movement of an underwater vehicle with respect to the body along the longitudinal axis (x) to be blocked, the dorsal beam extending longitudinally above the underwater vehicle in abutment against the stop, a center of gravity of the docking station and a center of buoyancy of the docking station being positioned, and the tow point (T) being able to occupy a docking position that is such that the docking station exhibits a predetermined docking negative pitch when it is fully submerged and hauled by the carrying vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a predetermined speed.

A docketing device includes a docking station able to be hauled by a carrying vessel at a tow point (T), the docking station comprising a body comprising a beam extending parallel to a longitudinal axis (x) of the body and a stop allowing a movement of an underwater vehicle with respect to the body along the longitudinal axis (x) to be blocked, the dorsal beam extending longitudinally above the underwater vehicle in abutment against the stop, a center of gravity of the docking station and a center of buoyancy of the docking station being positioned, and the tow point (T) being able to occupy a docking position that is such that the docking station exhibits a predetermined docking negative pitch when it is fully submerged and hauled by the carrying vessel in the direction of the longitudinal axis at a predetermined speed.

An apparatus for creating on-command buoyancy is provided with an elastically deformable and axially elongated watertight hollow shell having a plurality of leaf springs and enveloped by a flexible skin. When flattened, the shell has a small internal volume and is negatively buoyant. The hollow shell is held in this position by a latch mechanism. When the mechanism is released, the leaf springs expand to increase the internal volume of the shell. In this state, the system is buoyant. A release mechanism for the latch bar is provided in a forward closure to permit transition from negatively buoyant to a buoyant configuration when an external signal is received.

An apparatus for creating on-command buoyancy is provided with an elastically deformable and axially elongated watertight hollow shell having a plurality of leaf springs and enveloped by a flexible skin. When flattened, the shell has a small internal volume and is negatively buoyant. The hollow shell is held in this position by a latch mechanism. When the mechanism is released, the leaf springs expand to increase the internal volume of the shell. In this state, the system is buoyant. A release mechanism for the latch bar is provided in a forward closure to permit transition from negatively buoyant to a buoyant configuration when an external signal is received.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames. Alternatively, a package that is to be lifted from the deck of a marine vessel, workboat, supply boat or the like can be lifted from the deck of the workboat, vessel, barge, etc. if it is to be then placed in the marine environment such as upon an existing jacket or other under support.

A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames. Alternatively, a package that is to be lifted from the deck of a marine vessel, workboat, supply boat or the like can be lifted from the deck of the workboat, vessel, barge, etc. if it is to be then placed in the marine environment such as upon an existing jacket or other under support.