Hull-mount launch and recovery of watercraft

A method that enables automated launch and recovery for stowing, launching and recovering an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) on a boat hull, such as applicable to a small unit riverine craft (SURC) in water, said method comprising:

• equipping an apparatus for stowing, launching and recovering the USV on the hull, said apparatus including:
• a frame for removably attaching to the hull, said frame providing upper and lower positions relative to the hull;
• a lift mechanism connecting to said frame for elevating the USV between said upper and lower positions on said frame;
• a hinge connecting to said lift mechanism for pivoting the USV between vertical and horizontal orientations;
• and
• a boom connecting to said hinge for docking and releasing the USV;
• maneuvering the USV to dock to said boom;
• docking the USV to said boom;
• rotating said boom by said hinge from said horizontal to vertical orientations;
• raising said hinge from said lower to upper positions;
• stowing the USV into said vertical, stowed position;
• lowering said hinge by said lift mechanism from said upper to lower positions;
• rotating said boom by said hinge from said vertical to horizontal orientations;
• releasing the USV from said boom, wherein
• the USV is stowed in said vertical orientation and said upper position, and
• the USV deploys into the water in said horizontal orientation and said lower position.