Floating cage launch and retrieval system and method

Abstract

A vessel launch and retrieval system and method are disclosed with a cage that can surround a vessel and variable elevation float. The variable elevation float allows the vessel in the cage to be guided throughout the process of launch and retrieval, because the cage moves in elevation relative to the float. On launch, the cage with the vessel surrounded by the cage members can be lowered into the water until the vessel is floating above the surrounding members sufficiently to allow the vessel to exit the cage. The variable elevation float guides the vessel as it enters the water and continues to guide as the vessel begins to float and finally clears the surrounding members. Retrieval can generally reverse the process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for launch and retrieval of a vessel in water comprising:
 a cage comprising a plurality of structural members configurable to at least partially surround the vessel;   an opening in at least one portion of the cage configurable to allow the vessel to enter and exit the cage; and   at least one float movably coupled to an upright structural member of the cage and configured to be allow movement of the cage between a first elevation and a second elevation relative to the float.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first elevation is when the vessel is resting on the cage and the second elevation is when the vessel is entering or existing the cage. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one float is disposed on at least one side of the cage relative to the opening and configured to guide the vessel in the cage. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the float comprises a tapered guide surface facing a middle portion of the cage. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a raising hook coupled to the cage and configured to allow the cage to be raised and lowered in the water. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cage further comprises a bow stop coupled to an end of the cage distal from the opening and coupled above a vessel support of the cage. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cage further comprises a stern stop coupled to an end of the cage proximal to the opening and coupled above a vessel support of the cage. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cage surrounds the vessel on the bow, stern, starboard side, and port side. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one float is configurable to guide the vessel at different elevations of the cage. 
     
     
         10 . A method of launching or retrieving a vessel in water with a cage comprising a plurality of structural members; an opening in at least one portion of the cage; and
 at least one float movably coupled to an upright structural member of the cage, the method, comprising:   lowering the cage and float into the water with the vessel resting on the cage, so that the float is adjacent the vessel and the cage is at a first elevation relative to the float;   further lowering the cage into the water to a second elevation relative to the cage that is different from the first elevation with the float continuing to be adjacent the vessel; and   allowing the vessel to exit the cage.   
     
     
         11  The method of  claim 10 , further comprising guiding the vessel with the float at different elevations while the cage is being lowered into the water and the vessel changes from resting on the cage to floating in the water. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one float is disposed on a side of the vessel while the cage is being lowered. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the vessel is surrounded by the structural members on bow, stern, starboard side and port side until the cage is lowered enough in the water and the vessel is floating above at least one of the structural members to allow exit through the opening while the float is adjacent the vessel as the vessel exits the cage. 
     
     
         14 . A method of launching or retrieving a vessel in water with a cage comprising a plurality of structural members; an opening in at least one portion of the cage; and at least one float movably coupled to an upright structural member of the cage, the method, comprising:
 establishing the cage in the water at an initial elevation to allow the vessel floating in water to enter the cage through the opening while guiding the vessel in the opening with the at least one float;   raising the cage in the water while guiding the vessel with the float at different elevations relative to the cage; and   further raising the cage in the water and allowing the vessel to rest on the cage while the at least one float is adjacent the vessel at a final elevation relative to the cage that is different from the initial elevation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising continuing to raise the cage with the vessel to a storage position. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising at least partially surrounding the vessel with the cage while the vessel is resting on the cage.