Watercraft system with modular hull

A method of operation of a watercraft system, wherein the watercraft system is a submarine or a submersible configured to be submerged in water;

• the watercraft system comprising a hull having a longitudinal axis which extends between an aft end and a forward end;
• the hull comprising at least a first hull module and a second hull module;
• wherein the first hull module defines the aft end, and a first interface element which defines a first hull module opening;
• and
• the second hull module defines the forward end and a second interface element which defines a second hull module opening;
• the method comprising:
• coupling the first interface element and second interface element to form a sealed joint;
• and/or
• uncoupling the first interface element and second interface element and separating the first and second hull modules,
• wherein the watercraft system further comprises a mounting rail for carrying an equipment module, the mounting rail extending in a direction aligned with, or parallel to, the longitudinal axis along an inside of a respective one of the first or second hull module, and the method further comprises, prior to coupling the first interface element and the second interface element:
• entering a first equipment module through the respective opening in the respective hull module and sliding the first equipment module along the mounting rail to move in a direction along the longitudinal axis;
• and
• locking the equipment module in position relative to the respective hull module,
• removing the first equipment module from the respective hull module by sliding the first equipment module along the mounting rail to move in a direction along the longitudinal axis out of the respective opening in the respective hull module;
• entering a second equipment module through the respective opening in the respective hull module and sliding the second equipment module along the mounting rail to move in a direction along the longitudinal axis;
• and
• locking the second equipment module in position relative to the respective hull module.

A watercraft system, wherein the watercraft system is a submarine or a submersible configured to be submerged in water, the watercraft system comprising:

• a hull having a longitudinal axis which extends between an aft end and a forward end, the hull comprising at least a first hull module and a second hull module, wherein
• the first hull module defines the aft end and a first interface element which defines a first hull module opening,
• the second hull module defines the forward end and a second interface element which defines a second hull module opening,
• the first interface element and second interface element being configured to couple with each other to form a sealed joint, and
• the first interface element and second interface element being configured to be uncoupled from one another;
• an equipment module;
• and
• a mounting rail for carrying the equipment module, the mounting rail extending in a direction aligned with, or parallel to, the longitudinal axis along an inside of one or both of the first hull module and second hull module;
• wherein the equipment module includes a support structure and an equipment unit, the equipment unit mounted to the support structure, wherein the support structure is operable to engage with and slide along the mounting rail to move in a direction along the longitudinal axis into and out of the respective opening in the respective hull module;
• the watercraft system being operable with the first interface element of the first hull module coupled to the second interface element of the second hull module;
• and
• the watercraft system being operable with the first hull module and the second hull module coupled together by a third hull module provided between the first hull module and the second hull module, wherein each of the first hull module and second hull module is configured to be uncoupled from the third hull module, and
• wherein:
• at least one of the hull modules is provided with a mounting rail for carrying the equipment module, the mounting rail extending in a direction aligned with, or parallel to, the longitudinal axis along an inside of the respective hull module;
• the equipment module is slidable along the mounting rail to move in a direction along the longitudinal axis into and out of the respective opening in the respective hull module;
• the equipment module and the mounting rail are configured to be engaged with one another to secure the equipment module and mounting rail together;
• and
• the equipment module and mounting rail are configured to be disengaged from one another so that the equipment module can be removed from the respective hull module in a direction along the longitudinal axis.