Floating mat launch, retrieval, and storage apparatus

An apparatus to launch, retrieve and store a floating mat, the apparatus comprising:

• a center rolling assembly having a first end plate, a second end plate and a plurality of longitudinal members extending from the first end plate to the second end plate;
• a winding mechanism coupled to a first end of a first shaft, wherein a second end of the first shaft is coupled to the first end plate of the center rolling assembly and the first shaft is supported by a first shaft support member, wherein the winding mechanism is operable to cause the center rolling assembly to rotate;
• a second shaft coupled to the second end plate of the center rolling assembly, the second shaft supported by a second shaft support member that permits the second shaft to rotate;
• a sliding tension roller assembly having a roller, the sliding tension roller assembly arranged to provide tension to urge the roller radially inward relative to the center rolling assembly;
• and
• a mounting element having a first mounting element end attached adjacent to the second shaft support member and having a second mounting element end configured to attach to an external object, wherein the mounting element is constructed to support the apparatus,
• wherein the center rolling assembly is arranged to engage the floating mat and roll the floating mat onto the center rolling assembly when the winding mechanism causes the center rolling assembly to rotate in a first direction, and to unroll the floating mat from the center rolling assembly when the winding mechanism causes the center rolling assembly to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction.