Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving seismic data acquisition units from an underwater seismic survey are provided. The system includes an underwater vehicle with a base and an underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle receives environmental information and identifies a seismic data acquisition unit located on an ocean bottom. The underwater vehicle obtains an indication to perform a non-landing retrieval operation. The underwater vehicle sets a position of the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism to extend away from the base of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle retrieves the seismic data acquisition unit by coupling the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism with a seismic data acquisition unit interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle stores the seismic data acquisition unit and then sets the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism in a second position to perform the non-landing retrieval operation for a second seismic data acquisition unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to delivering nodes to an ocean bottom. A system can include a tether management system (TMS) towed by a vessel that moves on the surface of the ocean in a first direction. An underwater vehicle (UV) can be connected to the TMS and can move in a second direction that is different from the first direction. A thruster can be coupled to the TMS can cause the TMS to move in a third direction that is different from the first direction. A control unit can control the thruster to move the TMS in the third direction based on a cross-line location policy, and cause the UV to deploy nodes to target locations on the ocean bottom.

Abstract: Performing a seismic survey in an aqueous medium is provided. A system can include a transfer device with a first vertical side and a second vertical side. The transfer device can include a chute to receive units. The chute extends from the first vertical side to the second vertical side. The chute has a first end at the first vertical side that is higher than a second end at the second vertical side opposite the first end to establish a first slope for the chute, which causes the units to slide from the first end towards the second end via gravity. The transfer device includes a retainer at the second end of the chute to be actuated by an arm of a first underwater vehicle that mates with the chute. The transfer device can be towed by a marine vessel via an unpowered rope.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving seismic data acquisition units from an underwater seismic survey are provided. The system includes an underwater vehicle with a base and an underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle receives environmental information and identifies a seismic data acquisition unit located on an ocean bottom. The underwater vehicle obtains an indication to perform a non-landing retrieval operation. The underwater vehicle sets a position of the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism to extend away from the base of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle retrieves the seismic data acquisition unit by coupling the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism with a seismic data acquisition unit interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle stores the seismic data acquisition unit and then sets the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism in a second position to perform the non-landing retrieval operation for a second seismic data acquisition unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods of deploying seismic data acquisition units from a marine vessel are disclosed. The system can include a mechanical attachment device comprising a cavity formed by interlocking a first member and a second member. Protrusions located on the first member and second member can increase the coefficient of friction between a rope and the mechanical attachment device responsive to an increase in tension on the rope. A lanyard can couple a seismic data acquisition unit to the mechanical attachment device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving seismic data acquisition units from an underwater seismic survey are provided. The system includes an underwater vehicle with a base and an underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle receives environmental information and identifies a seismic data acquisition unit located on an ocean bottom. The underwater vehicle obtains an indication to perform a non-landing retrieval operation. The underwater vehicle sets a position of the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism to extend away from the base of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle retrieves the seismic data acquisition unit by coupling the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism with a seismic data acquisition unit interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle stores the seismic data acquisition unit and then sets the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism in a second position to perform the non-landing retrieval operation for a second seismic data acquisition unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods of deploying seismic data acquisition units from a marine vessel are disclosed. The system can include a mechanical attachment device comprising a cavity formed by interlocking a first member and a second member. Protrusions located on the first member and second member can increase the coefficient of friction between a rope and the mechanical attachment device responsive to an increase in tension on the rope. A lanyard can couple a seismic data acquisition unit to the mechanical attachment device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering seismic data acquisition units to an ocean bottom are provided. A system includes an underwater vehicle including with sensors to determine environmental information. A control unit obtains, based on the environmental information and a policy, an indication to perform a fly-by deployment. The control unit sets an angle of a ramp with respect to a base of the underwater vehicle. The control unit identifies a launch event for a seismic data acquisition unit of a plurality of seismic data acquisition units stored in the underwater vehicle, and deploys the seismic data acquisition unit from the ramp towards the ocean bottom based on the identification of the launch event and the environmental information.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering seismic data acquisition units to, and retrieving from, an underwater vehicle. A sensor storage container can be tethered to a surface vessel, which can move on the surface with a non-zero velocity. The underwater vehicle can include a storage compartment to store seismic data acquisition units and a propulsion system to aid the movement of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle also can include passive and active protrusions for coupling with corresponding receptacles on the sensor storage container. The sensor storage container also can include a propulsion system to aid movement of the sensor storage container. The propulsion systems of both the underwater vehicle and the sensor storage container can be controlled to allow the underwater vehicle and the sensor storage container to couple and allow transfer of seismic data acquisition units.

Abstract: Systems and methods of deploying seismic data acquisition units from a marine vessel are disclosed. The system can include a mechanical attachment device comprising a cavity formed by interlocking a first member and a second member. Protrusions located on the first member and second member can increase the coefficient of friction between a rope and the mechanical attachment device responsive to an increase in tension on the rope. A lanyard can couple a seismic data acquisition unit to the mechanical attachment device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving seismic data acquisition units from an underwater seismic survey are provided. The system includes an underwater vehicle with a base and an underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle receives environmental information and identifies a seismic data acquisition unit located on an ocean bottom. The underwater vehicle obtains an indication to perform a non-landing retrieval operation. The underwater vehicle sets a position of the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism to extend away from the base of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle retrieves the seismic data acquisition unit by coupling the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism with a seismic data acquisition unit interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle stores the seismic data acquisition unit and then sets the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism in a second position to perform the non-landing retrieval operation for a second seismic data acquisition unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering seismic data acquisition units to an ocean bottom are provided. A system includes an underwater vehicle including with sensors to determine environmental information. A control unit obtains, based on the environmental information and a policy, an indication to perform a fly-by deployment. The control unit sets an angle of a ramp with respect to a base of the underwater vehicle. The control unit identifies a launch event for a seismic data acquisition unit of a plurality of seismic data acquisition units stored in the underwater vehicle, and deploys the seismic data acquisition unit from the ramp towards the ocean bottom based on the identification of the launch event and the environmental information.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to delivering nodes to an ocean bottom. A system can include a tether management system (TMS) towed by a vessel that moves on the surface of the ocean in a first direction. An underwater vehicle (UV) can be connected to the TMS and can move in a second direction that is different from the first direction. A thruster can be coupled to the TMS can cause the TMS to move in a third direction that is different from the first direction. A control unit can control the thruster to move the TMS in the third direction based on a cross-line location policy, and cause the UV to deploy nodes to target locations on the ocean bottom.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering seismic data acquisition units to, and retrieving from, an underwater vehicle. A sensor storage container can be tethered to a surface vessel, which can move on the surface with a non-zero velocity. The underwater vehicle can include a storage compartment to store seismic data acquisition units and a propulsion system to aid the movement of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle also can include passive and active protrusions for coupling with corresponding receptacles on the sensor storage container. The sensor storage container also can include a propulsion system to aid movement of the sensor storage container. The propulsion systems of both the underwater vehicle and the sensor storage container can be controlled to allow the underwater vehicle and the sensor storage container to couple and allow transfer of seismic data acquisition units.