Abstract: A streamer handling and towing system for a seismic survey vessel comprises a beam (42) secured to the underside of the deck (50) of the vessel immediately above the streamer deck (20), so that it extends generally longitudinally of the vessel above normal head height. The beam (42) is pivoted at its stern end, and supported at its other end (54) by a telescopic arm (56) which can lower that end towards the streamer deck (20). A carriage (60) supporting a spooling block (34) for the streamer (28) is movable in both directions along the beam (42). During towing, the beam (42) is held in its raised position, with the spooling block (34) at the stern end of the beam. When it is desired to work on the streamer, the carriage (60) is moved along the beam (42) to the other end, which is then lowered towards the streamer deck (20) to provide convenient waist high access to the streamer.

Abstract: A seismic survey vessel having a displacement monohull is provided with a streamer deck which width increases progressively from amidships towards the stern of the vessel, on both sides of the centerline of the vessel. This increased width of the streamer deck, reaching 37.5 meters at the stern, facilitates the deployment and towing of particularly wide streamer arrays, containing as many as sixteen streamers. It also provides space for the installation of novel streamer handling systems, one for each streamer, across the width of the rear of the streamer deck.