System for launch and recovery of a surface vehicle

A system for launch and recovery of a surface vehicle, comprising:

• a floating cradle structure configured to form a receiving space for receiving the surface vehicle therein and to support the surface vehicle when lifted into or out of the water during launch or recovery of the surface vehicle, respectively,
• wherein the receiving space is defined by two elongate wall-like elements of the cradle structure which extend substantially parallel to each other and extend towards each other at a front end of the cradle structure, wherein the cradle structure is devoid of any structural element extending between the wall-like elements on its underside, such that contact between a submersed portion of the surface vehicle and the cradle structure is avoided upon receiving the surface vehicle, wherein the cradle structure further comprises on its inside a fixation member configured to engage a side wall of a hull of the surface vehicle and being switchable between an active state, in which the surface vehicle is fixated relative to the cradle structure, and an inactive state, in which the surface vehicle is movable relative to the cradle structure, wherein a fixating force of the fixation member in the active state is such that the fixation member can support the weight of the surface vehicle, the fixation member thereby functioning as a supporting member which is capable of supporting the full weight of the surface vehicle when lifted into or out of the water during launch or recovery of the surface vehicle, respectively.