Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a vessel for oceanographic research and the development and maintenance of renewable energy resources. The vessel can have a hull, a keel with a keel cooler, skegs, watertight interior bulkheads, a main deck, topsides, insulation, sonar tubes, a sonar transducer, an engine room, a propulsion system, propellers and rudders that are operable independently and in tandem, engines with vibration isolation mounts, fuel tanks, a hydraulic bow thruster, generators, a pilothouse, a navigation station, a steering device, a dog house, living quarters, a communication system, lighting, escape hatches, and a knuckle boom crane. The hull can be adapted to sit level on a mudflat during a low tide, enabling crew to initiate emergency repairs to the vessel without having to return to port. The vessel can also have a dynamic positioning processor enabling for continuous vessel positioning.

Abstract: A multi-purpose expedition vessel having a aluminum alloy hull, where the aluminum alloy hull can have a aluminum alloy hull bottom with a deadrise bow elevated above a waterline, an aft portion comprising a stern, a port side, a starboard side, a central axis between the starboard and port sides. The aluminum alloy hull of the vessel can have a first plurality of lifting stakes secured to the port side of the deadrise bow, and a second plurality of lifting stakes secured to the starboard side of the deadrise bow. The aluminum alloy hull can have at least a first level disposed within the aluminum alloy hull, and the aluminum alloy hull can have a superstructure disposed on it having various structures, such as a stateroom, a steering station, or a floatation roof.

Abstract: A configuration for the deck of a marine vessel, wherein parallel and perpendicular travel paths, for movement of individual OBS unit storage baskets, are formed along a deck utilizing, in part, the storage baskets themselves. A portion of the deck is divided into a grid defined by a series of low-to-the-deck perpendicular and parallel rails and each square in the grid is configured to hold an OBS unit storage basket. Around the perimeter of the grid is an external containment wall which has a greater height than the rails. Storage baskets seated within the grid are configured to selectively form internal containment walls. Opposing internal and external containment walls define travel paths along which a storage basket can be moved utilizing a low, overhead gantry. A basket need only be lifted a minimal height above the deck in order to be moved along a path. The containment walls and the deck itself constraining uncontrolled swinging of baskets, even in onerous weather or sea conditions.

Abstract: A deployment and retrieval apparatus for ocean bottom seismic receivers, the apparatus being a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a carrier attached thereto and carrying a plurality of receivers. The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a barrel. The structure includes a discharge port on said frame and a discharge mechanism for removing and retrieving said receivers. A method for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers comprises the steps of loading a carrier with a plurality of receivers, attaching said carrier to an ROV, utilizing said ROV to transport the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed and thereafter utilizing said ROV to remove receivers from said carrier and place the receivers on the seabed.

Abstract: A configuration for the deck of a marine vessel, wherein parallel and perpendicular travel paths, for movement of individual OBS unit storage baskets, are formed along a deck utilizing, in part, the storage baskets themselves. A portion of the deck is divided into a grid defined by a series of low-to-the-deck perpendicular and parallel rails and each square in the grid is configured to hold an OBS unit storage basket. Around the perimeter of the grid is an external containment wall which has a greater height than the rails. Storage baskets seated within the grid are configured to selectively form internal containment walls. Opposing internal and external containment walls define travel paths along which a storage basket can be moved utilizing a low, overhead gantry. A basket need only be lifted a minimal height above the deck in order to be moved along a path. The containment walls and the deck itself constraining uncontrolled swinging of baskets, even in onerous weather or sea conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a carrier containing a plurality of receivers attached to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable carousel or a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a barrel. In the case of the barrel, the receivers are axially stacked therein. The structure is disposed to deliver said receivers to a discharge port on said frame, where the receivers are removable from said carrier. The apparatus includes a discharge mechanism for removing said receivers from said carrier.