Method and an arrangement for launching and taking aboard a raft

A system for launching and hoisting a floating craft from a vessel, said system comprising:

• floating means for receiving a floating craft therein, said floating means comprising a rigidly defined substantially U-shaped floating frame with an open end of said U-shaped floating frame being configured to be open in a direction away from the vessel, said U-shaped floating frame defining a receiving area for receiving the floating craft therein;
• a hoisting device attached to said floating means by a carrying device for lifting and lowering said floating means from the vessel to and from a surface of water;
• a towing device attached to a first end of said floating means and adapted to be attached to said vessel for orienting the floating means such that the open end of the substantial U-shaped frame is open in the direction away from the vessel.

A system for securing a floating craft to a floating element, said system comprising:

• an annular housing adapted to be attached to the floating craft, said annular housing including an open portion therein and two arcuate blocking pins movable within a portion of the annular housing to open and close the open portion, said locking pins being biased by a biasing means toward each other, and further including operating means attached to the locking pins for moving the locking means away from each other to open the open portion.