Marine structure comprising a launch and recovery system

A method for recovering a submersible vehicle to a surface vessel adapted to be located in and/or by a body of water, said method comprising:

• discharging a towing head from said surface vessel such that it is located in said body of water, said towing head being mechanically connected to said surface vessel via a towing arrangement;
• actuating a releasable locking mechanism to lock said submersible vehicle to said towing head;
• using a lifting device for arranging a docking receiver in a towing head receiving position in which position:
• i. said docking receiver is completely submerged into said body of water, and
• ii. said docking receiver is prevented from moving relative to said surface vessel;
• operating said towing arrangement such that said submersible vehicle and said towing head are moved to said docking receiver such that said towing head and said docking receiver are connected to each other;
• and
• using said lifting device for moving said docking receiver, said towing head and said submersible vehicle to an offloading position of said surface vessel.

A method for launching a submersible vehicle from a surface vessel being adapted to be located in and/or by a body of water, said method comprising:

• actuating a releasable locking mechanism to lock said submersible vehicle to a towing head;
• connecting said towing head to a docking receiver at a loading position of said surface vessel, wherein said docking receiver is connected to a first portion of a lifting device;
• using said lifting device for moving said docking receiver, said towing head and said submersible vehicle from said loading position to a towing head launching position in which position:
• i. said docking receiver is completely submerged into said body of water, and
• ii. said docking receiver is prevented from moving relative to said surface vessel;
• disconnecting said towing head from said docking receiver;
• operating a towing arrangement such that said submersible vehicle and said towing head are moved away from said docking receiver;
• and
• disconnecting said submersible vehicle from said towing head.