DEPLOYMENT AND RETRIEVAL OF FLOATABLE OBJECTS

摘要

A ship s fender system and method of deployment and retrieval comprising a group of fenders (12) linked together to lie on the surface of the water adjacent a ship s hull (11) with hauling lines (14) connected by davits (15) to winches to lower and raise the fenders. Each hauling line (14) is connected to its respective fender by a two-part ball and tape connector so that connection and release of the hauling lines (14) is carried out automatically and remotely thus avoiding the need for the conventional hazardous procedure whereby the lines are connected and disconnected manually by a crew in a boat. The system may be used to deploy and retrieve other floatable objects such as working platforms or submersible vehicles.