Launch and recovery system and method

A launch and recovery system comprising:

• a first transportable assembly comprising:
• a first base portion configured to rest on a deck of a floating vehicle,
• a first upright arm which extends along a first longitudinal axis and is coupled to the first base portion, and
• a first handling mechanism configured to move the first upright arm with respect to the first base portion;
• a second transportable assembly substantially specular to the first transportable assembly and comprising:
• a second base portion configured to rest on the deck of the floating vehicle, wherein the first base portion and the second base portions are couplable together on the deck of the floating vehicle to form a base frame for the launch and recovery system, and the first base portion and the second base portions are uncouplable from each other to separate the first transportable assembly from the second transportable assembly,
• a second upright arm which extends along a second longitudinal axis and is coupled to the second base portion, and
• a second handling mechanism configured to move the second upright arm with respect to the second base portion;
• and
• a third transportable assembly comprising:
• a crossbeam configured to be mounted on the first upright arm and on the second upright arm to form a gantry structure with the first upright arm and the second upright arm, and
• a connecting device configured to be mounted on the crossbeam and to selectively hold and release the underwater vehicle during at least one of launching an underwater vehicle from the floating vehicle and recovering the underwater vehicle on the floating vehicle.

A method of operating a launch and recovery system, the method comprising:

• transporting, on a floating vehicle, a first transportable assembly comprising a first base portion, a first upright arm and a first handling mechanism;
• transporting, on the floating vehicle, a second transportable assembly comprising a second base portion, a second upright arm and a second handling mechanism;
• transporting, on the floating vehicle, a third transportable assembly comprising a crossbeam and a connecting device configured to be mounted on the crossbeam and to selectively hold and release an underwater vehicle;
• coupling the first base portion and the second base portion on a deck of the floating vehicle to form a base frame for the launch and recovery system;
• mounting the crossbeam on the first upright arm and on the second upright arm to form a gantry structure with the first upright arm and the second upright arm;
• and
• mounting the connecting device on the crossbeam.