Carrier Vessel with Tender Boat Storage

Abstract

A watercraft includes a cavity on the front upper deck for storage and transport of a tender boat. The cavity conforms to a hull of the tender boat, accepting the tender boat such that the tender boat shifts minimally with movement of the watercraft. In some embodiments, a retractable crane deploys from beneath the front upper deck for deploying and retrieving the tender boat. When the tender boat is absent, optionally, a solid cover is placed over the cavity. When the crane is retracted, a cover covers the crane boom and crane mast.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A watercraft comprising:
 a front upper deck;   a crane comprising a telescoping crane mast and a crane boom, a base of the telescoping crane mast is mounted to the watercraft below the front upper deck and the crane boom is arranged to telescope between a retracted position in which the crane boom rests within a crane cavity that is formed in the front upper deck and an extended position in which the crane boom is positioned above the front upper deck and supported by the telescoping crane mast;   a cradle formed in the front upper deck, the cradle sized and shaped for accepting a tender boat; and   whereas the crane is used for moving the tender boat from the cradle and into a body of water on which the watercraft is floating and is used for moving the tender boat from the body of water and back into the cradle.   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising a crane cover, the crane cover is arranged to cover and hide the crane when the crane is retracted into the crane cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the telescoping crane mast is secured to a substructure of the watercraft. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover, the cover is arranged to cover and hide the cradle when the tender boat is absent. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle is shaped to match a horizontal cross-section of a hull of the tender boat. 
     
     
         6 . A method of transporting a tender boat by a watercraft, the watercraft having a front upper deck, the method comprising:
 forming a cavity in the front upper deck of the watercraft, the cavity matching an outline of a hull of the tender boat;   hoisting the tender boat;   positioning the tender boat over the cavity; and   lowering the tender boat onto the cavity whereas the tender boat resting within the cavity for transportation of the tender boat.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising deploying the tender boat comprising:
 hoisting the tender boat from the cavity;   positioning the tender boat past an edge of the front upper deck and over a target location; and   lowering the tender boat onto the target location for use of the tender boat.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of hoisting of the tender boat is performed by a crane. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:
 before hoisting the tender boat, a crane cover on the front upper deck is opened and extending the crane from below the front upper deck; and   after lowering the tender boat onto the cavity, retracting the crane and then closing the crane cover.   
     
     
         10 . A system for transporting a tender boat by a watercraft, the watercraft having a front upper deck, the system comprising:
 a cradle formed in the front upper deck, the cradle sized and shaped for accepting the tender boat such that when the tender boat is within the cradle, the tender boat fits snugly within the cradle; and   means for deploying the tender boat from the cradle and for returning the tender boat back to the cradle.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the means for deploying comprises a crane. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a crane cover, the crane cover is arranged to cover and hide the crane when the crane is retracted below the front upper deck into a crane cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a crane mast cover, the crane mast cover is arranged to cover and hide a crane mast of the crane when the crane is retracted below the front upper deck and the crane mast cover is arranged to remain open when the crane is deployed, allowing for the crane cover to close and cover the crane cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a base of the crane is affixed to a substructure of the watercraft. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a cover, the cover is arranged to cover and hide the cradle when the tender boat is absent. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a bimini that provides shade to an area of the front upper deck above the cover. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cradle is shaped to match a horizontal cross-section of a hull of the tender boat.