Page 29: of Marine Technology Magazine (May 2020)

cover ISE Explorer AUVs, which was Once the AUV is out of the water, the 20% the cost of other LARS options and later adapted for use with other AUVs. A-frame tilts inboard nestling the AUV the AUV makes its frst contact with the

The strengths of this design include that into its cradles slowly and gently. The docking head above the waves and away it is intuitive for new operators, robust strengths of this LARS include its abil- from the ship, reducing the likelihood of enough for operation in up to sea state 5, ity to be installed at any freeboard, any- damage. It can also be adapted to a wide and that it can be operated fully as a con- where along the ship, and that it does variety of cranes and removed when tainerized system. Its nose capture sys- not come into contact with the AUV un- not required, meaning less deck space tem settles the AUV down, aligns it, and til it is hoisted above waves. The down- is taken up for the AUV system. The maintains control of it as it is winched sides are the large deck footprint, risk of disadvantages include that the strength up the ramp. The limitations of this sys- the AUV slamming into the side of the requirements for the crane must be suf- tem are that the freeboard of the ship ship during the hoisting process and that fcient for the loads experienced during must be less than 3m, and that it is best not all AUVs are designed to be lifted offshore launch and recovery.

installed with the ramp extending off vertically by their nose like the ISE Ex- the aft of the ship. Also, despite being plorer AUV is. Shore Launching able to operate in sea state 5, the AUV Avoiding the dangers of launch and re- is prone to sustaining damage from an covery can be achieved by shore launch- impact with the ramp. ing AUVs from boat ramps or docks. The

Crane LARS

For operators who already have an off- advantages include that it is extremely shore rated pedestal crane or A-Frame, inexpensive when compared to operat-

ISE has developed a cost-effective dock- ing from a ship with a LARS, however,

Nose Lift

The nose lift LARS uses an A-Frame ing head that can transform a crane into with limited AUV range and no ability to and nose capturing ring to lift the AUV an AUV LARS. The advantages of the recovery the AUV in an emergency, the out of the water vertically by its nose. docking head crane LARS are that it is drawbacks are signifcant.

Towed underwater charging and data download AUV dock.

Photo: ISE www.marinetechnologynews.com

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