Merryn Thomas / Bristol Pilot Cutter "Mischief" on launch day, Bristol Floating Harbour, England, Summer 2007.

Benoit Stichelbaut / Starboard inflatable lifeboat launching into the Mer d'Iroise sea during an exercise, France, August 2005

Rob Cousins / Restored naval launch "Pride of Bristol" motoring up the Avon Gorge. March 2009.

Merryn Thomas / Naval Launch "Pride of Bristol" passing Avonmouth, March 2009.

Benoit Stichelbaut / Crew of inflatable lifeboat on exercise, Mer d'Iroise sea, France, August 2005

Merryn Thomas / Bristol Pilot Cutter "Morwenna" launch ceremony, 4th April 2009. Bristol Floating Harbour, UK.

Merryn Thomas / Cricketer Jack Russel breaking champagne over bow of Bristol Pilot Cutter "Morwenna" during launch ceremony, 4th April 2009. Bristol Floating Harbour, UK.

Merryn Thomas / View of the launch of from Bristol Pilot Cutter "Morwenna", built by RB Boatbuilders, from aboard Harbour Master's boat "Albion". Underfall Yard, Bristol Floating Harbour. 16th March 2009.

Toby Roxburgh / The “Severn Princess”, hauled onto dry-land under the Brunel Bridge in Chepstow. Wales, UK, 2009. She carried motor passengers across the River Severn from Aust to Beachley from 1926 until she became...

Benoit Stichelbaut / Crew of inflatable lifeboat on exercise, Mer d'Iroise sea, France, August 2005

Rob Cousins / Restored naval launch "Pride of Bristol" motoring up the Avon Gorge. March 2009.

Merryn Thomas / Bristol Pilot Cutter "Morwenna" launch ceremony, 4th April 2009. Bristol Floating Harbour, UK.

Jenny E. Ross / Female Black-footed rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis) with a joey in her pouch, preparing to launch herself from a rock ledge. West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. September

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / Inuk helping hunting companion launch kayak from floe edge. Northwest Greenland, 1986.

Alan Watson / Female Short horned chameleon (Calumma brevicornis) with tongue ready to launch at grasshopper prey, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar (Sequence 1/4)

Kirkendall-Spring / Kayaks on beach at boat dock and launch area on Quinault Lake at Lake Quinault Lodge. Washington, USA, September 2009

LYNN M. STONE / Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) taking off with typical "run on water" launch, Mississippi River, Minnesota, USA

Tim Laman / A boat carrying Nipa palm leaves harvested from the mangroves and used for roof thatch is pushed up the Sibsa river by a small launch, Sundarbans, Khulna Province, Bangladesh, March 2006

Rob Cousins / "Pride of Bristol" naval launch at the Bristol Harbour Festival, August 2008

Rob Cousins / Hoisting flags on "Pride of Bristol" naval launch at the Bristol Harbour Festival, August 2008

Roger Powell / Barn owl {Tyto alba} preparing to launch into flight, Northumberland, UK

David Tipling / Launch of artificial Otter holt, Kent, UK

Hanne & Jens Eriksen / Launch of Discovery space shuttle, Cape Canavarel, Florida, USA. 20 October 1998

David Shale / Launch of UVP (Underwater Video Profiler) from oceangraphic research ship, GO Sars. Atlantic ocean

David Shale / Launch of the deep sea submersible Johnson Sealink II, Atlantic.

David Shale / Launch of the deepsea submersible Johnson Sealink II, Atlantic ocean

Onne van der Wal / Tractor hauling out a fishing launch at low tide, South Island, New Zealand.

Onne van der Wal / Breezy conditions for a wooden motor launch watching the Classic Yacht Regatta in Newport, Rhode Island.

Barry Bland / A classic river launch, "Merlin", cruising on the Norfolk Broads, England, UK.

Angelo Giampiccolo / A lift holding an Alfamarine 47 luxury motoryacht in a sling, ready to launch her into the water. The superyacht was built at the Cantieri Alfamarine, Fiumicino, Lazio, Italy.

Rick Tomlinson / 180ft ketch "Adele" before she had been launched in the water. This view from below shows her shiny new propellor. The picture was taken at Adele's launch party at Vitters on 2nd April 2005. Non edito...

Rick Tomlinson / "Adele" before she had been launched in the water. This view from below shows her shiny new propellor. The picture was taken at Adele's launch party at Vitters on 2nd April 2005.

Rick Tomlinson / "Adele" before she had been launched in the water. This view from below shows her shiny new propellor. The picture was taken at Adele's launch party at Vitters on 2nd April 2005.

Rick Tomlinson / Sennon Cove launch their Mersey Class lifeboat, near Lands End, Cornwall, UK.

Onne van der Wal / Locals helping to launch a local fishing boat for racing at the Grenada Sailing Festival, Grenada, Caribbean.

Onne van der Wal / Wooden launch "Baguette" moored in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA.

Onne van der Wal / Wooden launch "Baguette" and lobster boat moored in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA.

Onne van der Wal / Wooden launch "Baguette" and cabin cruiser moored in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA.

Erwan Quéméré / Gentleman in bowler hat at the helm of a classic wooden motor launch, Monaco Classic Week.