Abstract: A device for receiving acoustic waves in water and adapted to be positioned vertically in the water in a stable position. The device comprises a tubular element formed of several connected sections, buoyancy means close to a first end, ballasting means close to the second end, several receivers spaced apart inside certain sections of the tubular element and stabilizer fins fixed to the second end thereof. A cable connects the tubular elements to a towing vehicle.

Abstract: A system for aerating in a programmed manner the desired areas of a water pond to enhance the environment for marine life in the pond; said system including a propelled boat with an aerator mounted thereon and having direction control apparatus including a rotating beam-sending component, a plurality of beam-reflecting posts located in predetermined fixed relationship around the shore line of the pond, and a beam-receiving component mounted on the boat to receive the beam reflected back from each of the reflecting posts, whereby the position of the boat can be determined automatically by angle determining components combined with a microprocessor programmed to calculate by triangulation computation the position of the boat and produce a signal which is connected to a servo system which controls the direction of travel of the boat in its aerating path around the pond.

Abstract: Buoyancy apparatus for carrying a payload to and maintaining the payload at substantially a constant depth or within a desired range of depth, which comprises a variable buoyancy vessel, a depth sensor, deflectable members for detecting upwards and downward movement respectively linked to a gas supply to increase the buoyancy by displacing water from the buoyancy vessel on detecting downward movement and to decrease the buoyancy by operating a release valve to vent gas from the buoyancy vessel on detecting upward movement, and apparatus for preventing said buoyancy variations commencing until the depth sensor senses that the payload is at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: An offshore terminal is described, of the type which includes a dedicated vessel that supports a transfer structure loosely anchored as by several chains, and a fluid conduit structure that extends from the sea floor through the transfer structure to the vessel, wherein the vessel and transfer structure can be quickly disconnected to avoid potentially damaging surface conditions such as ice flows and hurricanes. The nonrotatable portion of the transfer structure, together with upper portions of the chains and underwater fluid conduit, can be detached from the rest of the transfer structure to sink below the surface, but to a predetermined depth which is considerably above the sea floor, so the vessel and a portion of the transfer structure can be sailed away from the region.

Abstract: An Air Deployed Oceanographic Mooring when assembled for deployment has a ltitude of components suitable for separation by explosive bolts upon deployment of the system. A parachute system is connected to a surface buoy. The components that separate from each other upon deployment comprise a parachute system, a surface float, a subsurface buoy, an anchor shell and a bottom finder. All components except for the parachute system have interconnecting flexible lines upon deployment. A novel locking mechanism for limiting the paying out of the line between the anchor shell and subsurface buoy is triggered by the slackening of the line between the bottom finder and anchor shell when the bottom finder hits the bottom of the ocean.

Abstract: A mooring system for anchoring sea going ships, such as storage or production tanker vessels, and more particularly, a submerged single point mooring system fixed to the seabed and which is particularly adapted for use in arctic waters having surface hazards such as pack ice or icebergs.

Abstract: An anchoring system for buoys and specially measuring buoys in which an anchoring line is connected to an anchoring line connection member which is connected by at least two connection links to the buoy. The connection links have equal length and the connection points q of the links with the anchoring line connection member have a configuration that is congruent to the configuration of the points p, where the links are connected to the buoy.

Abstract: The present invention is a floating highway unit which has a structure which facilitates both removal from linkage in a series of units forming the highway, provides for simple alignment of the units during assembly, and also allows vertical movement caused by tides and waves. Protection is provided for the highway by use of a partly floating barrier, for damping wave motion, thus substantially reducing the amount of absolute and relative movement of the floating highway units. Each of the floating units of the present invention is comprised of a generally rectangular horizontal pontoon including provisions for floatation of the pontoon, the pontoon having a centrally located horizontal tongue extending outwardly from a short side of the pontoon whereby the top surface of the tongue is an extension of the top surface of the pontoon. A recess is located in the opposite side of the pontoon having a shape for enclosing the tongue which matches the shape of the tongue.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for simulating an ocean environment for sonobuoys wh are being tested in a relatively calm body of water. A floating platform is towed through water to simulate a sea current, and a sonobuoy being tested is attached by a cable to the floating platform. A drum, driven by a reversible motor, winds and unwinds the cable to simulate wave action while the floating platform is being towed.

Abstract: In order to transfer a fluid from a station on the sea bed for a vessel or vice versa, a discharging/loading buoy comprising coupling apparatus for fluid flow is placed in a submerged state and fixed in this state with anchoring apparatus. A vessel is brought and held in position above the buoy by means of dynamic positioning. Then the coupling apparatus for the fluid flow is connected to a coupling section on the vessel.