Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate of deceleration of a moving body. The apparatus has a cable or net for engaging a moving body and tape connected to the cable or net. The tape is wound onto a reel at the start of a deceleration and is unwindable from the reel during the deceleration so that unwinding the tape from the reel causes a corresponding rotation of the reel. A pump is operatively connected to the reel so that rotation of the reel causes pumping of a hydraulic fluid at a rate which increases as the rate of rotation of the reel increases. A control valve disposed across the discharge of the pump varies pressure drop across the control valve. A brake is provided for applying a braking force to the reel, and an actuator is provided for varying the braking force applied by the braking means in response to the pressure drop.