Operating an AUV with a submersible docking station

摘要

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of operating an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) 2. In one embodiment, the AUV is received in a receptacle (4, Fig 2) of a submersible station 1, and the AUV and the submersible station are launched to an underwater location. The AUV may engage with the submersible station before, after or during a mission, and may return to the same or a different station after part, or all, of the mission has been completed. The submersible station may have a lifting frame (6, Fig 2) to facilitate deployment of the submersible station to the underwater location. The submersible station may have a self operating latch mechanism (15, Fig 2) within the receptacle for receiving the AUV.