Abstract: A system for handling a remote vessel from a mother vessel comprising: a messenger/manipulating line intercepting member extending upwardly from the remote vessel; a line capturing device associated with the line intercepting member; line traversing device for transferring the line to the line capturing device; a messenger/manipulating line associated with the mother vessel for engaging the line intercepting device and capturing by the line capturing device of the remote vessel; and a winch associated with the messenger/manipulating line for manipulating the remote vessel. For one embodiment of the invention, the system may additionally include a line capturing and lifting hook attached to the remote vessel; a hoisting winch and hoisting cable with hook for attachment to the lifting hook attached to the remote vessel; and a second messenger line for releasable attachment to the hoisting cable for capture by the lifting hook and to provide attachment of the hoisting cable to the lifting hook.