Paul,
Ther were typically12 to 15 planes in a squadron,A seaplane tender could support up to 30 aircraft,there was berthing for all aircrews,plus extra maintenance and support personel.
The Marlin was armed it had 2 large internal bombays behind each engine for anti submarine depth charges, mines,or iron bombs ,it was also capable of carring the MK90 "Betty" nuclear depth charge,plus 4 hard points outboard of the engines for anti ship and anti sub rockets.
The aircraft did not have to be pulled out of the water to be armed the plane would anchor to a bouy set out when the seadrome was set up by the tender a specially equiped boat would be sent out to rearm the plane they would also send out a bowser boat to refuel it,the only time the plane was hoisted out of the water was for maintenance.
When the squadron was at it's homeport(shore base) it would be fitted with beaching gear, main wheels and tail wheel had floats on them and a crew would float them out and attach them to the plane while it was at the bottom of the ramp then pull the plane up the ramp with a large tow tractor the tow it to the flghtline.
I hope I've answered your questions if any one has more please ask,
Thanks.David