Abstract: A tether line is mounted in a retriever and, when a water vessel is launched into the water, the retriever applies a tension force to the tether line. After the water vessel is launched, the tension on the tether line pulls the water vessel from its launched floating position towards the stationary object. The retriever is rotatably mounted on the water vessel or the stationary object such that it will pivot around a vertical axis and point in a direction towards and along the tether line. A spool mounted on the structural unit holds the tether line, and an electrical or mechanical motor, such as a spring B-motor, places a torque on the spool and a tension on the tether line. After the water vessel is launched, the tension force from the motor pulls the water vessel from a launched position to the stationary object.

Abstract: An introducer is provided which directs a probe, such as TE ultrasound probe, into the esophagus. The introducer of the present invention consists of a pilot member and a coaxially fitting sheath. The pilot member may be an endoscope-like element and the sheath is an elongate flexible member. The outside diameter of the pilot member insertion tube is roughly the same as that of the TE probe while the outside diameter of the sheath is sized for passage into the esophagus. When assembled coaxially, the pilot member and sheath fit slidingly together.