High Friction, Conforming Boat Capture and Transfer System

The boat transfer, launch, and recovery system proposed will utilize a system of composite moving ways, cradle, and configurable bouyant bladders, controlled by the Advanced Communication and Control System (ACCS) to safely launch, recover, and transfer a variety of boats ranging in size as a minimum, from 7 M to 11 M, with a variety of hull shapes and materials, including unmanned surface vessels from the sea to the ship. The system is designed to operate safely without risk to personnel or equipment at high sea states, with a wide range of vehicle to ship relative velocities, and to take advantage of wave energies when present. The system is designed to operate with a minimum of training, to be easily maintained, to be highly compatible with the marine environment, highly affordable, and to integrate well into existing ship systems and to unmanned platforms.