Launching and recovery apparatus

Launching and recovery apparatus for a rescue craft, such as a lifeboat, rescue launch, small boat or the like, fitted to a vessel, such as a ship, floating marine platform or the like, comprising:

• a surface extending upwardly from the waterline of such vessel to the deck thereof, said surface defined by the hull of such vessel;
• first and second trackways spaced apart and parallel along said surface and extending inwardly and upwardly therefrom;
• a davit structure extending outwardly and upwardly from an upper end of said trackways;
• a sheave supported by said davit structure in a fixed location symmetrically between said trackways;
• a single fall wire supported by said sheave, and taken up or paid out by said sheave;
• a launching and recovery cradle having an upwardly convergent symmetrical frame, said frame having an apex connected to said single fall wire, whereby said cradle is raised or lowered as said single fall wire is taken up or paid out of said sheave, and roller assemblies connected to the base of said symmetrical frame, said roller assemblies disposed to permit said cradle to be supported on and guided by said trackways in its raised position and supported on said hull surface toward the lowered position of said cradle;
• and
• suspension means for suspending the rescue craft from a single suspension point at said apex of said cradle and having a single releasable attachment for maintaining said rescue craft in a stable level attitude in said cradle during raising and lowering thereof.