Automatic inflating watercraft flotation device

An emergency buoyant support for a watercraft, the emergency buoyant support comprising:

• a carrier mounted to the watercraft;
• a cover attached to the carrier;
• a storage channel formed between the carrier and the cover;
• at least one cover-removing bladder positioned within the storage channel;
• and
• at least one inflatable flotation bladder positioned within the storage channel;
• wherein upon inflation of the cover-removing bladder, the cover-removing bladder moves the cover and the flotation bladder in a general direction away from the watercraft prior to inflation of the flotation bladder thereby allowing the flotation bladder to inflate.

A method for maintaining a watercraft in a stable floating condition, the method comprising:

• mounting a housing to the watercraft;
• securing a carrier into the housing, the carrier having a first cover channel, a second cover channel, a first bladder retaining slot, and a second bladder-retaining slot;
• covering at least a portion of the carrier with a cover, the cover having a first edge and a second edge;
• releasably securing the first edge of the cover within the first cover channel and the second edge within the second cover channel;
• defining a space between the carrier and the cover;
• positioning a cover-removing bladder within the space, the cover-removing bladder having a first bladder edge;
• positioning a flotation bladder within the space, the flotation bladder having a second bladder edge;
• mounting the first bladder edge of the cover-removing bladder within the first bladder-retaining slot;
• mounting the second bladder edge of the flotation bladder within the second bladder-retaining slot;
• inflating the cover-removing bladder;
• and
• inflating the flotation bladder.