Modular launch and recovery platform

Abstract

Systems and method for launching and recovering marine vessels are provided. The systems include buoyant pontoon coupled with suspension frames, hoists coupled to the suspension frames, and a lift platform suspended from the suspension frames via the hoists. The hoists are configured to raise and lower the lift platform relative to the suspension frames to launch and recover vessels. The height of the pontoons relative to sea level is modifiable, allowing the system to be tide independent.

1 . A marine vessel launch and recovery system, the system comprising:
 at least one buoyant structure;   at least one frame coupled with the at least one buoyant structure;   at least one hoist coupled with the at least one frame;   a lift platform suspended from the at least one frame via the at least one hoist, wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform relative to the at least one frame.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one buoyant structure comprises a first pontoon. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one buoyant structure comprises a second pontoon, wherein the second pontoon is spaced-apart from the first pontoon. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform relative to the at least one frame between a raised position wherein the lift platform is positioned between the first and second pontoons and a lowered position wherein the lift platform is positioned below the first and second pontoons. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one frame comprises a first suspension frame and a second suspension frame, wherein each suspension frame is coupled to the first pontoon and to the second pontoon. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of piles, wherein each pile is coupled with the at least one frame. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further wherein each pile extends from the at least one frame to a seabed. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one buoyant structure is movably coupled with the plurality of piles. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a jack coupled with at least one of the piles and coupled with the at least one buoyant structure on that pile, and wherein the jack is configured to raise or lower the at least one buoyant structure along a length of the plurality of piles. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one buoyant structure is moored to a seabed. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein, in the raised position, the lift platform is above sea level, and wherein, in the lowered position, the lift platform is at or below sea level. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one buoyant structure has a buoyancy sufficient such that the system is transportable by floating the system from one location to another location. 
     
     
         24 . A marine vessel launch and recovery system, the system comprising:
 a first pontoon;   a second pontoon, wherein the second pontoon is spaced-apart from the first pontoon such that a gap is positioned between the first and second pontoons;   at least one suspension frame coupled with the first pontoon and the second pontoon, wherein the at least one suspension frame spans the gap between the first and second pontoons;   at least one hoist coupled with the at least one suspension frame; and   a lift platform suspended from the at least one suspension frame via the at least one hoist, wherein the at least one hoist is configured to raise and lower the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein in the raised position the lift platform is positioned within the gap and above a sea level, and wherein in the lowered position the lift platform is positioned at or below sea level.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of deploying and retrieving marine vessels, the method comprising:
 securing a floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at an offshore or near shore site;   receiving a vessel or equipment on a lift platform of the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system, wherein the lift platform is at a first height;   raising or lowering the lift platform from the first height to a second height, wherein the second height is different than the first height; and   deploying the vessel or equipment with the lift platform at the second height.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein securing the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at the offshore or near shore site comprises coupling the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system with piles at the offshore or near shore site, wherein the piles are secured to a sea floor at the offshore or near shore site; or
 mooring the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at the offshore or near shore site.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the securing comprising coupling the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system with the piles, wherein the piles are secured to a frame of the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system, and wherein the piles are slidably coupled with at least one buoyant structure of the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system, further comprising adjusting a height of the at least one buoyant structure along a length of the piles. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising, prior to the securing, transporting the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system to the offshore or near shore site, wherein the transporting comprises towing. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system includes pontoons, a suspension frame movably coupled with the pontoons, a hoist coupled with the suspension frame, wherein the lift platform is suspended from the suspension frame via the hoist, and piles coupled with the suspension frame and configured to engage the see floor, wherein the pontoons are floating during the towing, and wherein the piles are raised above the sea floor during the towing. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein securing the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system comprises:
 jacking the piles downwards to the sea floor until footings of the piles are coupled with the sea floor; and   with the piles coupled with the sea floor, jacking up the pontoons along a height of the piles until the pontoons are positioned above sea level.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 transporting the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system to a second offshore or near shore site; and   securing the floating modular marine vessel launch and recovery system at the second offshore or near shore site.