PICK-UP DEVICE AND PICK-UP METHOD FOR A WATERCRAFT

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for recovering watercraft. A ramp is movable relative to a stationary carrying apparatus between a recovering position and a parked position. The ramp includes a frame and a deformable body, which is fastened to the frame. When the ramp is in the recovering position, the deformable body points toward the watercraft to be recovered and is located at least partially above the water surface. The watercraft travels onto the ramp and deforms the deformable body from above. The watercraft is pulled out of the water and moved onto the carrying apparatus.

Claims

1.-28. (canceled)

29. A recovery apparatus for recovering from water a watercraft, the recovery apparatus comprising: a stationary carrying apparatus sized and shaped to carry a watercraft; and a ramp that is configured to move relative to the stationary carrying apparatus; wherein the ramp is configured to move into a recovering position, in which the ramp is located at least partially beneath a surface of the water and is configured such that the watercraft can travel onto the ramp; wherein the recovery apparatus is configured to lift the watercraft out of the water and guide it onto the carrying apparatus; wherein the ramp includes a frame; and a deformable body fastened to the frame such that the deformable body points toward the watercraft located in the water when the ramp is in the recovering position, and wherein the recovery apparatus is configured to hold the deformable body at least partially above the surface of the water when the ramp is in the recovering position.

30. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the deformable body comprises a gas-fillable cavity, wherein the cavity is surrounded by an envelope made of a deformable material.

31. The recovery apparatus of claim 30 wherein the recovery apparatus comprises a delivery device configured to deliver gas under pressure into the cavity.

32. The recovery apparatus of claim 30 wherein the cavity is configured to be enlarged to a maximum volume by being filled with gas, and, at least when the cavity has reached the maximum volume, the deformable body is capable of floating on the water.

33. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the deformable body comprises a deformable solid body manufactured from a material that has a lower specific weight than water.

34. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the recovery apparatus comprises a support apparatus configured to carry the ramp located in the recovering position such that the deformable body is located at least partially above the water surface.

35. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the deformable body is connected to the frame in a connecting region, wherein the extension of the connecting region in the direction of travel of a watercraft to be recovered is less than the extension of the frame in the direction of travel, and the deformable body is capable of floating on the water at all times or in at least one state, wherein, when the ramp is in the recovering position, the deformable body floats on the water, the frame of the ramp is at least temporarily entirely under the water surface, and, outside the connecting region, a vertical gap arises between the floating deformable body and the frame.

36. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the ramp is connected to the stationary carrying apparatus in a movable manner such that a watercraft on the ramp located in the recovering position is capable of pushing the ramp down relative to the carrying apparatus.

37. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 the deformable body, both parallel and transversely to the direction of travel of the watercraft onto the ramp, takes up in each case at least half of the ramp located in the recovering position.

38. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the frame of the ramp has a carrying element, wherein the deformable body is fastened to the carrying element and wherein the carrying element has a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of a watercraft onto the ramp that is at least as large as the dimension of the stationary carrying apparatus in this direction.

39. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the ramp is configured such that a surface of the deformable body points toward the watercraft to be recovered located in the water, and comes at least temporarily into contact with the watercraft when the ramp is in the recovering position, wherein at least one running roller is mounted on the surface.

40. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the deformable body has a coating element connected releasably to the deformable body and, when the ramp is in the recovering position, points toward a watercraft to be recovered located in the water.

41. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the ramp is movable out of the recovering position into a parked position, wherein, when the ramp is in the parked position, the deformable body is located between the frame of the ramp and the stationary carrying apparatus.

42. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the ramp is movable out of the recovering position into a parked position, and the recovery apparatus has a receiving chamber, which, when the ramp is in the parked position, is configured to receive the deformable body.

43. The recovery apparatus of claim 42 wherein the frame of the ramp comprises at least one planar component, which extends in a plane, wherein, when the ramp is in the parked position, the plane of the planar component encloses an angle of at most twenty degrees with the vertical.

44. The recovery apparatus of claim 42 wherein the recovery apparatus comprises a deflector element, which, when the ramp is in the parked position, is located beneath the deformable body.

45. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the deformable body is permanently in a state or is configured to be brought into a state in which the buoyancy of the deformable body causes the ramp located in the recovering position to float on the water.

46. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the recovery apparatus comprises at least one conveying unit configured to pull a watercraft located on the ramp out of the water.

47. The recovery apparatus of claim 29 wherein the dimension of the deformable body in at least a direction that is perpendicular to the watercraft traveling onto the ramp in the direction of travel is able to be increased to a maximum dimension, in which the deformable body takes up at least half the width of the ramp frame.

48. The recovery apparatus of claim 47 wherein the recovery apparatus comprises a carrying structure and at least one flexible connecting element, wherein the at least one flexible connecting element is connected to the carrying structure and to the frame of the ramp, and wherein the deformable body is configured such that, at least when the ramp is in the recovering position, the deformable body enlarged to the maximum dimension tautens and/or tensions the flexible connecting element.

49. A ship comprising the recovery apparatus of claim 29.

50. The ship of claim 49 wherein the ship has an outer hull, and the ramp is movable from the recovering position into a parked position, wherein, when the ramp is in the parked position, the frame of the ramp terminates flush with the outer hull.

51. A method for recovering a watercraft from water using a recovery apparatus having a stationary carrying apparatus and a ramp that is movable relative to the stationary carrying apparatus, wherein the method comprises: moving the ramp relative to the carrying apparatus into a recovering position, in which the ramp is located at least partially beneath a surface of the water; moving the watercraft onto the ramp located in the recovering position; lifting the watercraft from the water; guiding the watercraft onto the carrying apparatus, wherein the ramp has a frame and a deformable body fastened to the frame, wherein the step of moving the ramp into the recovering position causes the deformable body to point toward the watercraft located in the water; wherein, when the ramp has been moved into the recovering position, the deformable body is held at least partially above the surface of the water, and wherein the step in which the watercraft travels onto the ramp triggers an operation whereby the watercraft deforms the deformable body from above.

52. The method as claimed in claim 51 wherein the deformable body comprises at least one gas-Tillable cavity, wherein the method further comprises: delivering gas into the cavity, and wherein the step of delivering gas into the cavity is completed at the latest when the watercraft reaches the ramp.

53. The method as claimed in claim 52 wherein the step of moving the ramp into the recovering position and the step of delivering gas into the cavity are carried out in a temporally overlapping manner.

54. The method of claim 51 wherein the step of moving the ramp into the recovering position also causes the deformable body to float on the water, and the step in which the watercraft travels onto the ramp is carried out while the deformable body is floating on the water.

55. The method of claim 51 wherein the step of moving the ramp into the recovering position additionally causes the frame to be held under the surface of the water in a fixed position relative to the carrying structure, and causes at least a part of the deformable body to move upward relative to the frame, held under the surface of the water, of the ramp.

Description

[0054] The recovery apparatus according to the invention is explained in more detail in the following text with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a side view of one configuration of the aft region of a mother ship, the recovery apparatus of the exemplary embodiment with the ramp in a recovering position, and a dinghy both on the water and on the carrying apparatus;

[0056] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged illustration of the region II in FIG. 1;

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of part of the arrangement in FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 4 shows the aft region of FIG. 1 with the recovery apparatus in the parked position and the dinghy on the carrying apparatus;

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the aft region in FIG. 4.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment, the invention is implemented to recover at least one boat on board a ship. The recovering ship therefore acts as a mother ship. The or each boat is recovered for example in the interior or on the deck of the mother ship. The or each boat to be recovered has, in the exemplary embodiment, its own propulsion means, preferably a motor and at least one propeller or waterjet propulsion. The invention can also be implemented for recovering a boat or other floatable object without its own propulsion means.

[0061] FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 show, in side view from the right, the aft region of a recovering watercraft 20, which is also referred to as mother ship and has a carrying structure T. A lower part H.u and an upper part H.o of the stern of the mother ship 20 are shown. FIG. 1 furthermore shows the same dinghy 1, in one case floating on the water surface WO (position 1.w) and in the other case recovered on the mother ship 20 (position 1.a). The recovered dinghy 1 in position 1.a rests on a stationary carrying apparatus 2, which belongs to a boat garage of the mother ship 20 and the upper surface of which, as seen in the direction of travel of the mother ship 20, rises obliquely, cf. FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiment, the dinghy 1 is driven by waterjet propulsion. It is also possible for the dinghy 1 to have at least one outboard motor. The latter is swung upward before the propeller reaches the recovery apparatus according to the solution. The dinghy 1 to be recovered can also be configured without its own propulsion means.

[0063] A crew member M.1 of the dinghy 1 or of the mother ship 20 can leave the boat garage through a door (not shown) and re-enter the boat garage later in the same way. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 two containers 30.1 and 30.2 are furthermore shown on board the mother ship 20, these not belonging to the recovery apparatus of the exemplary embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged illustration of the region II in FIG. 1, i.e. the front part of the ramp 10 and the rear part of the carrying apparatus 2. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a part of the arrangement in FIG. 1.

[0065] In the following, the terms front, rear, right and left relate to the corresponding directions of travel FR of the dinghy 1 and of the mother ship 20. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the direction of travel FR is from right to left, and in FIG. 5 it is away from the observer.

[0066] The dinghy 1 to be recovered that is in the position 1.w travels from the rear toward the mother ship 20 and reaches a ramp 10, which can be moved about a horizontal axis of rotation DA relative to the carrying apparatus 2 and to the carrying structure T of the mother ship 20 between two positions, namely between at least one recovering position (FIG. 1 to FIG. 3) and a parked position (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). The horizontal axis of rotation DA is perpendicular to the direction of travel FR and is located preferably above the water surface WO. The dinghy 1 in the position 1.w has a draft Tg and reaches the ramp 10 in a contact position C, cf. FIG. 1.

[0067] In one configuration, the dinghy 1 in the position 1.w is caught from below by a conveying apparatus 6 of the ramp 10 and pulled onto the obliquely rising ramp 10. The conveying apparatus 6 can comprise a conveyor belt or a chain. The dinghy 1 is then pushed onward with the aid of a further conveying apparatus 3, which belongs to the stationary carrying apparatus 2. The separate propulsion means of the dinghy 1 supports this movement onto the ramp 10 and subsequently on the carrying apparatus 2, until the separate propulsion means has been lifted entirely out of the water at the point F. The two conveying apparatuses 3 and 6 form, in the exemplary embodiment, a continuous oblique plane. As soon as the bow of the dinghy 1 reaches the point F, the or each propeller or the waterjet propulsion of the dinghy 1 is pulled completely out of the water, and the dinghy 1 is now moved only by the conveying apparatuses 3 and 6. The dinghy 1 has reached the parked position 1.a in the boat garage when the stern of the dinghy 1 has passed a predetermined point, for example the plane A-A, or the bow has reached the point B. In one embodiment, a sensor (not shown) automatically detects one of these two events. As soon as one of these two events has occurred, the two conveying apparatuses 3 and 6 are stopped.

[0068] In a modification, the ramp 10 does not have a separate conveying apparatus 6, but rather a nondriven running belt, which forms a continuous oblique plane with the conveying apparatus 3. On account of its separate propulsion means, the dinghy 1 moves this running belt as soon as it has reached the point C. The separate propulsion means pushes the dinghy 1 as far as the point F. Preferably, the dinghy 1 can move the running belt only such that the dinghy 1 is moved toward the mother ship 20. The running belt prevents the dinghy 1 from slipping back into the water again. The driven conveying apparatus 3 of the carrying apparatus 2 operates in the same way as was just described above.

[0069] In a third configuration, the ramp 10 does not have a conveying device 6 or a running belt. In this configuration, too, the upper surfaces of the ramp 10 and of the conveying apparatus 3 form a continuous oblique plane. The dinghy 1 in the position 1.w slides directly on the deformable body 5, which forms the upper surface O.5 of the ramp 10 and is described further below, toward the carrying apparatus 2.

[0070] In one configuration, a multiplicity of rollers 15.1, 15.2, . . . on the upper surface of the deformable body 5 point upward. The dinghy 1 slides over these rollers 15.1, 15.2, . . . . The rollers 15.1, 15.2, . . . reduce the friction between the deformable body 5 and the dinghy 1. These rollers 15.1, 15.2, . . . can be nondriven running rollers or driven rolls.

[0071] It is also possible for neither the ramp 10 nor the carrying apparatus 2 to have a separate conveying apparatus. The dinghy 1 slides over the upper surface O.5 of the ramp 10 and over the upper surface of the carrying apparatus 2 into the position 1.a. In this configuration, too, the upper surfaces form a continuous oblique plane. Running rollers can be attached to the upper surface O.5 of the deformable body 5 and/or of the stationary carrying apparatus 2. The dinghy is pushed by the separate propulsion means to the carrying apparatus 2. In one configuration, the dinghy 1 is additionally pulled onto the carrying apparatus 2 by a rope (not shown).

[0072] The ramp 10 of the exemplary embodiment has the following constituents: [0073] a rigid frame, [0074] a deformable body 5, and, [0075] in one configuration, the conveying apparatus 6 or the running belt, which is guided around the deformable body 5.

[0076] The surface O5, pointing toward the dinghy 1, of the ramp 10 and the upper surface of the carrying apparatus 2, for example the conveying apparatus 3, areas seen in a viewing direction parallel to the direction of travel FRformed in a V-shaped manner or bilge-shaped in some other way. As a result, they match the underwater profile of the dinghy 1.

[0077] The frame of the ramp 10 comprises [0078] a sufficiently thick bearing plate 4 with a rear part 4.h, a central part 4.m, and a front part 4.v, [0079] two preferably flexible connecting elements 9.l, 9.r, and [0080] two actuators (not shown), which are connected to the bearing plate 4 in an articulated manner.

[0081] Each plate part 4.v, 4.m, 4.h extends in a respective plane. The front plate part 4.v is connected firmly to the central plate part 4.m for example at an angle of about 100 degrees in an edge that is perpendicular to the direction of travel FR. The central plate part 4.m is firmly connected to the rear plate part 4.h, in the exemplary embodiment, at an angle of about 160 degrees in a parallel edge. Other configurations of the bearing plate 4 are likewise possible.

[0082] The bearing plate 4 can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation DA relative to the carrying structure T of the mother ship 20 and thus to the carrying apparatus 2, said axis of rotation DA being perpendicular to the drawing planes of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 and lying in the drawing planes of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 and being arranged above the water surface. The bearing plate 4 can be rotated back and forth through an angle W (FIG. 2) between a recovering position (FIG. 1) and a parked position (FIG. 4). At least one stop element (not shown) limits the rotation of the bearing plate 4 downwardly from the parked position into the recovering position. The carrying structure T of the mother ship 2 limits the movement of the ramp 10 upward in the opposite direction. When the ramp 10 is in the recovering position, the central plate part 4.m and the rear plate part 4.h are located entirely under the water surface WO, cf. FIG. 1. Of course, on account of movements executed by the mother ship 20 and on account of waves, the bearing plate 4 can sometimes and partially emerge from the water.

[0083] In the parked position, the rear plate part 4.h terminates flush with the upper stern part H.o and the central plate part 4.m terminates flush with the lower stern part 4.u. The angle between the plate parts 4.h and 4.m matches the angle between the stern parts 4.o and 4.u, cf. FIG. 4. When the ramp 1 is in the parked position, the deformable body 5 is in the interior of the mother ship 20. As a result, the mother ship 20 with the ramp 10 in the parked position has a smaller electronic signature.

[0084] The two actuators, which are configured for example as two hydraulic or pneumatic piston-cylinder units and are not shown, are connected to the bearing plate 4 at two lateral fastening points, are supported on the carrying structure T of the mother ship 20, and can rotate the ramp 10 back and forth about the axis of rotation DA between the two positions.

[0085] A flexible right-hand connecting element 9.r and a corresponding flexible left-hand connecting element 9.l (not shown) are connected to the bearing plate 4 and to the carrying structure T of the mother ship 20 at two lateral fastening points, cf. FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. When the ramp 10 is in the recovering position and therefore fully lowered, the connecting elements 9.l, 9.r are fully tensioned.

[0086] The upper surface O.5 of the deformable body 5 is exposed to greater wear than the rest of the deformable body 5 because a dinghy 1 repeatedly butts against this upper surface O.5 and is deflected. The following configuration avoids the necessity to replace the entire deformable body 5 in the event of wear. In this configuration, the upper surface O.5, pointing toward the dinghy 1, of the deformable body 5 is provided with a stable protective cover. The running rollers 15.1, 15.2, . . . may have been let into this protective cover or project upward through cutouts in the protective cover. This stable protective cover is connected releasably to the rest of the deformable body 5. Preferably, this stable protective cover can deform together with the rest of the deformable body 5. In this configuration, the dinghy 1 to be recovered comes into contact with the stable and preferably deformable protective cover and, in one configuration, additionally with the running rollers, but not with any other constituent of the deformable body. The protective cover wears down more than the rest of the deformable body 5. In the event of wear, only the stable protective cover needs to be replaced.

[0087] The deformable body 5 can be formed as a solid body made of a deformable material, for example rubber.

[0088] In the exemplary embodiment, the deformable body 5 comprises at least one cavity, which can be filled with a gas and is subdivided preferably into two chambers 13.l, 13.r, cf. FIG. 4. In the following, the term hollow body 5 is used where reference is made to the property of the deformable body 5 of the exemplary embodiment comprising a cavity that can be filled with a gas.

[0089] As is indicated in FIG. 4, the two chambers 13.l, 13.r of the cavity 5 have two upper surfaces that point obliquely upward. These surfaces together form an obliquely rising face havingas seen in the direction of travel FRa V-shaped cross section. The rear ends of the two chambers 13.l, 13.r together have, in the exemplary embodiment, as seen from above, a dovetail shape, which matches the underwater profile of the front segment of the dinghy 1 to be recovered.

[0090] In one configuration, a delivery unit (not shown), for example a hydraulic or pneumatic pump, is capable of delivering a gas into the cavity 13.l, 13.r and as a result of generating an overpressure in this cavity 13.l, 13.r. In another configuration, a fluidic connection is established between the cavity 13.l, 13.r and at least one source for gas under overpressure, for example a compressed air cylinder, and the cavity 13.l, 13.r is filled in this way.

[0091] The envelope of the cavity 13.l, 13.r forms the outer surface of the deformable body 5 and is produced from a deformable material, for example of rubber. When the cavity 13.l, 13.r is filled with gas, the hollow body 5 expands to the rear, top, left and right, and the volume of the deformable hollow body 5 can be enlarged to a maximum volume. The deformable body 5 is then in a fully inflated state 5.a, cf. FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. When the gas is let out through an opening in the envelope again, the volume of the deformable hollow body 5 is reduced again. The deformable body 5 is then in an emptied state 5.p, cf. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0092] The deformable body 5 is fastened to the bearing plate 4. When the ramp 10 is in the recovering position, the deformable body 5 is located above the bearing plate 4. In one configuration, the rear edge HK of the bearing plate 4 projects toward the rear beyond the deformable body, for example the hollow body 5 in the inflated state 5.a, cf. FIG. 1. In another configuration, the deformable body 5 projects beyond the rear edge HK.

[0093] In the exemplary embodiment, the hollow body 5 in the inflated state 5.a. is capable of floating on the water. In one embodiment, the hollow body 5 in the inflated state 5.a is even capable of carrying the ramp 10 on the water. The buoyancy created by the inflated hollow body 5 is in this case greater than the weight of the ramp 10.

[0094] In one configuration, the deformable body 5 is fastened to the bearing plate 4 along the entire length of the bearing plate 4 or at least along the entire length of the central plate part 4.m and the front plate part 4.v. As a result, the deformable body 5 remains connected extensively to the bearing plate 4 even when the ramp 10 is in the recovering position. In another configuration, the deformable body 5 is fastened only to a front region of the central plate part 4.m and preferably to the front plate part 4.v or even only to the front plate part 4.v. The rear plate part 5.h is not connected to the deformable body 5. FIG. 2 shows for example a connecting region VB in which the deformable body 5 configured as a hollow body is fastened to the central plate part 4.m.

[0095] As mentioned above, the hollow body 5 in the inflated state 5.a or the deformable body 5 configured as a solid body is capable preferably of floating on the water. A number of configurations of the ramp 10 in the recovering position with the preferably floatable deformable body 5 are possible: [0096] In one configuration, the deformable body 5 is connected to the bearing plate 4 only in a front region, for example in the connecting region VB. When the ramp 10 has reached the recovering position and the frame parts 4.m, 4.h are located under water, the inherent buoyancy lifts the deformable body 5 off the bearing plate 4 for example away from the connecting region VB. The deformable body 5 can move up and down relative to the bearing plate 4, preferably about a horizontal axis parallel to the axis of rotation DA, for example on account of waves or because the boat 1 is traveling toward the ramp 10. In one configuration, the flexible connecting elements 9.l, 9.r damp the movements of the floating hollow body 5, because the inflated hollow body 5 tensions the flexible connecting elements 9.l, 9.r, or even prevent such movements of the hollow body 5. The bearing plate 4 can be held in a fixed position beneath the floating deformable body 5 at the water surface WO and preferably does not execute any movements relative to the mother ship 20. [0097] In an alternative configuration, the deformable body 5 carries the entire ramp 10, i.e. including the bearing plate 4, on the water. The deformable body 5 can be connected to the bearing plate 4 along a substantial part of its length. The bearing plate 4 can rotate about the axis of rotation DA relative to the mother ship 20, while the ramp 10 floats on the water. As a result, the entire ramp 10 can move up and down relative to the mother ship 20 for example on account of waves or because the boat 1 is traveling toward the ramp 10. [0098] In a third configuration, a support apparatus, for example two lateral spring elements or two lateral piston-cylinder units, holds the ramp 10 in the recovering position, such that the deformable body 5 remains partially over the water surface WO. The buoyancy of the deformable body 5 and the support apparatus compensate for the weight of the ramp 10. Preferably, the ramp 10 can move up and down relative to the mother ship 20. The actuator for the ramp 10 continuously compensates for the movement of the mother ship 20, while the ramp 10 is in the recovering position, such that the deformable body 5 always projects out of the water by approximately the same amount.

[0099] As already mentioned, two flexible lateral connecting elements 9.l, 9.r hold the ramp 10 in a desired centered position, in which the upper surface O.5 of the ramp 10 and the upper surface of the stationary carrying apparatus 2 form a continuous rising oblique plane. The deformable body 5 is located between the connecting elements 9.l and 9.r. In a preferred configuration, the inflated hollow body 5 tensions the connecting elements 9.l, 9.r. This configuration allows particularly good fixing of the lowered ramp 10 in the centered position. When the hollow body 5 has been emptied (state 5.p), the connecting elements 9.l, 9.r are slack or partially retracted into the carrying structure and do not impede any movement of the ramp 10.

[0100] The ramp 10 is fastened in a rotatable manner to the carrying structure T of the mother ship 20. When the ramp 10 is in the recovering position, the bottom of a receiving chamber AK and the central plate part 4.m form preferably a continuous oblique plane. This bottom and a front wall of the receiving chamber AK are not moved together with the ramp 10 and enclose the receiving chamber AK. When the ramp 10 is raised into the parked position, the emptied and slack hollow body 5 slides into this receiving chamber AK. The central plate part 4.m forms the rear wall of the receiving chamber AK when the ramp 10 is in the parked position. The deflector plate 7 is fastened to the bottom of the receiving chamber AK and projects into the receiving chamber AK. The receiving chamber AK is smaller than the hollow body 5 in the inflated state 5.a.

[0101] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the ramp 10 in the raised parked position and the hollow body 5 in the emptied position 5.p. The now slack hollow body 5 is located in the receiving chamber AK and above the deflector plate 7. This deflector plate 7 prevents the now slack hollow body 5 from slipping downward and passing for example between the bearing plate 4 and the carrying structure T. The connecting elements 9.l, 9.r are slack or partially retracted into the carrying structure T.

[0102] In the exemplary embodiment, the dinghy 1 is moved from the position 1.w onto the carrying apparatus 2 as follows: [0103] The ramp 10 is moved out of the parked position (FIG. 4) into the recovering position (FIG. 1), for example in that two hydraulic piston-cylinder units are extended, these being supported on the carrying structure T of the mother ship 20 and being connected to the bearing plate 4. The bearing plate 4 is as a result rotated about the axis of rotation DA until the piston-cylinder units have been fully extended or until the or each stop element ends the further rotation of the bearing plate 4. The deformable body 5 is rotated with the bearing plate 4 about the axis of rotation DA. [0104] In one configuration, the hollow body 5 is inflated in a manner temporally overlapping with the lowering of the ramp 10, and as a result is transferred from the emptied state 5.p (FIG. 4) into the inflated state 5.a (FIG. 1). [0105] At the latest when the ramp 10 has reached the recovering position, the deformable body 5 floats on the water. In one embodiment, on account of its buoyancy, the inflated hollow body 5 or floatable hollow body 5 detaches from the bearing plate 4, which is located under water, in the regions in which it is not connected to the bearing plate 4. The actuator holds the bearing plate 4 in a fixed position relative to the mother ship 20, wherein the plate parts 4.m and 4.h remain under water. In another embodiment, the entire ramp 10 floats on account of its inherent buoyancy on the water. In a third embodiment, the support apparatus holds the ramp 10 in a position in which the deformable body 5 projects out of the water. In the two latter embodiments, the entire ramp 10 moves up and down relative to the mother ship 20 when water waves move the mother ship 20 or the ramp 10. [0106] The inflated hollow body 5 is located between the connecting elements 9.l and 9.r. The connecting elements 9.l, 9.r are slack or tensioned and hold the ramp 10 and in particular the deformable body 5 in the centered position. [0107] The dinghy in the position 1.w travels from the rear onto the ramp 10 and touches the ramp 10 at the contact point C. In one configuration, the contact point C coincides with the rear edge HK of the bearing plate 4, cf. FIG. 1. In another configuration, the contact point C is formed by the rear termination of the inflated hollow body 5 floating on the water. [0108] The separate propulsion means pushes the dinghy 1 onto the ramp 10. Depending on the configuration of the dinghy 1 and of the ramp 10, the dinghy 1 touches either the rear plate part 4.h first or the rear termination of the deformable body 5. As mentioned above and visible in FIG. 3, the rear termination of the inflated hollow body 5 has preferably a dovetail shape and matches the underwater profile of the dinghy 1. [0109] In both cases, the dinghy 1 pushes the deformable body 5 downward and under water, while the dinghy 1 travels toward the mother ship 20. The feature whereby the body 5, which is preferably configured as an inflated hollow body 5, is deformable prevents any damage to the dinghy 1. Conversely, the oblique surface O.5 of the ramp 10 lifts the dinghy 1 out of the water. The V-shaped or otherwise bilge-shaped configuration of the upper surface O.5, i.e. of the conveying apparatus 6 or of the running belt or of the deformable body 5, contributes toward lifting the dinghy 1 gently out of the water onto the ramp 10. [0110] The conveying apparatus 3 of the carrying apparatus 2 pulls the dinghy 1 further out of the water, until the dinghy has reached the parked position 1.p on the carrying apparatus 2, cf. FIG. 4. The drive of the conveying apparatus 3 is now stopped. Alternatively, the dinghy 1 is connected on one side to a rope, and the rope with the dinghy 1 is pulled by a winch. [0111] The actuator rotates the bearing plate 4 about the axis of rotation DA back upward into the parked position (cf. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), for example in that the piston-cylinder units are retracted again. The plate parts 4.m and 4.h now terminate flush with the outer hull of the mother ship 20. In a manner temporally overlapping with this rotation, the gas is let out of the hollow body 5. When the bearing plate 4 has reached the parked position, the front plate part 4.v lies on the bottom of the receiving chamber AK and the hollow body 5 is slack, i.e. in the state 5.p. The now slack hollow body 5 drops into the receiving chamber AK and onto the deflector plate 7.

[0112] In a corresponding manner, the dinghy 1 can be moved back out of the position 1.a on the carrying apparatus 2 into the position 1.w on the water. On account of its inherent weight, the dinghy 1 slides downward into the water via the oblique plane.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0113] 1 Dinghy to be recovered, acts as the watercraft to be recovered [0114] 1.a Position of the recovered dinghy 1 when it rests on the stationary carrying apparatus 2 [0115] 1.w Position of the dinghy 1 to be recovered when it floats on the water [0116] 2 Stationary and obliquely rising carrying apparatus, carries the recovered dinghy 1.a, comprises in one configuration the conveying apparatus 3 [0117] 3 Optional conveying apparatus of the stationary carrying apparatus 2, pulls the dinghy 1.w to be recovered out of the water [0118] 4 Bearing plate, on which the hollow body 5 is mounted, is fastened to the carrying structure T in the axis of rotation DA, comprises the plate parts 4.h, 4.m and 4.v, belongs to the frame of the ramp 10, acts as planar carrying element [0119] 4.h Rear part of the bearing plate 4, has the rear edge HK [0120] 4.m Central part of the bearing plate 4 [0121] 4.v Front part of the bearing plate 4 [0122] 5 Deformable body, preferably configured as inflatable hollow body, which is subdivided into the chambers 13.l and 13.r [0123] 5.a Inflated state of the hollow body 5, in which the hollow body 5 can float on the water [0124] 5.p Emptied state of the hollow body 5, in which the now slack hollow body 5 can be received in the receiving chamber AK [0125] 6 Optional conveying apparatus of the ramp 10 [0126] 7 Deflector plate in the receiving chamber AK, prevents the emptied hollow body 5 in the state 5.p from slipping under the bearing plate 4 [0127] 9.l Flexible left-hand connecting element in the form of a rope [0128] 9.r Flexible right-hand connecting element in the form of a rope [0129] 10 Ramp, comprises the bearing plate 4 and the connecting elements 9.l, 9.r, and the deformable body 5 [0130] 10.p Ramp 10 in the parked position, in which the bearing plate 4 terminates flush with the outer hull of the mother ship 20 [0131] 10.w Ramp 10 in the recovering position, in which the deformable body 5 projects out of the water, preferably floats on the water [0132] 13.l, 13.r Left-hand and right-hand chamber of the hollow body 5 [0133] 15.1, 15.2 Running rollers, let into the upper surface O.5 of the deformable body 5 [0134] 20 Mother ship, recovers the dinghy 1.w on the carrying apparatus 2, comprises the recovery apparatus, the carrying structure T, the stern H.u, H.o and the side walls S.l.o, S.l.u, S.r.o, S.r.u [0135] 30.1, 30.2, 30.3 Containers on board the mother ship 20 [0136] AK Receiving chamber for the emptied hollow body 5 (in the state 5.p) [0137] C Point of first contact, at which the dinghy 1.w first touches the ramp 10 [0138] DA Horizontal axis of rotation, about which the ramp can be rotated relative to the carrying structure T of the mother ship 20 and relative to the carrying apparatus 2 [0139] F Point at which the propulsion means of the dinghy 1 is pulled out of the water and can no longer propel the dinghy 1 [0140] FR Corresponding direction of travel of the dinghy 1 and of the mother ship 20 [0141] HK Rear edge of the bearing plate 4, forms an edge of the rear part 4.h [0142] H.o Upper part of the stern of the mother ship 20, terminates flush with rear plate part 4.h when the ramp 10 is in the parked position [0143] H.u Lower part of the stern of the mother ship 20, terminates flush with the central plate part 4.m when the ramp 10 is in the parked position [0144] O.5 Upper surface of the deformable body 5, comes into contact with the dinghy 1, is provided with the running rollers 15.1, 15.2, . . . in one configuration [0145] S.l.o Upper part of the left-hand side wall of the mother ship 20 [0146] S.l.u Lower part of the left-hand side wall of the mother ship 20 [0147] S.r.o Upper part of the right-hand side wall of the mother ship 20 [0148] S.r.u Lower part of the right-hand side wall of the mother ship 20 [0149] M.1, M.2 Crew member of the watercraft 1 [0150] T Carrying structure of the mother ship 20, carries the ramp 10 and the carrying apparatus 2 [0151] Tg Draft of the dinghy 1 in the position 1.w on the water [0152] VB Connecting region, in which the deformable body 5 is connected to the central plate part 4.m of the bearing plate 4 [0153] W Angle between the recovering position and the parked position of the ramp 10 [0154] WO Water surface