A method and apparatus for aligning a component with an underwater receptacle is disclosed. The component is attached to one end of a swing arm having a hook attached to the other end. The swing arm is lowered in the water until the hook engages a pivot attached to an underwater base at a selected distance from the receptacle. Following such contact, the component is lowered in an arcuate path defined by the rotation of the swing arm about the pivot until the component is aligned with the receptacle. In another embodiment of the invention, a stop is attached to a vertical guidepost at a selected distance from the receptacle and a guidepost engaging hook pivots to lower the component into alignment with the receptacle.