[ LAUNCH AND RECOVERY ] • [ WINCHES ] • [ SUB-SEA TOOLS & COMPONENTS ] [ SHIPBOARD A-FRAMES ] • [ AUV SYSTEMS ] • [ PRESSURE VESSELS ] • [ LASER TECHNOLOGY ] • [ OFFSHORE CONTAINERS ] SHIPBOARD A-FRAMES HBOI designed and built an aluminum, ABS 30 ton rated, A-frame handling systems for the 26,000 lb. Johnson-Sea-Link manned submersibles and installed on the R/V Seward Johnson. This system was built with the capability to launch and recover the U.S. Navy's 24.5 ton manned submersible SEA CLIFF. A similar steel version is installed on the R/V Edwin Link. These systems incorporate passive compensation and a unique, pneumatic lock and release mechanism developed at HBOI. These A-frames have been used to launch numerous other types of vehicles and systems, such as Ocean Voyager AUV and the U.S. Navy's Sea Lion vehicles. These systems are equipped with both active and passive control devices to ensure safe and sympathetic handling of the manned subs during latching and hoisting. Two constant tension winches with synthetic line are employed to minimize both heave and yaw motions. Pitch and roll are mitigated via passive hydraulic damping cylinders. Another ship mounted, aluminum A-frame is available aboard smaller vessels and is used for deploying large ROVs, buoys and other equipment. The frame was designed for a 10,000 lb. tethered system. HBOI also designed and built a submersible launch and recovery system that was installed aboard a private yacht for the purpose of handling a submersible. The handling system not only launches and recovers the sub, but it also provides the platform on which the sub sits when it is fully retracted. The system also allowed the sub to be recovered to the lower or upper deck.