Abstract: A shape-memory alloy initially configured to have engaging potential for a ance, guillotine or pin connected thereto is wrapped in a heating element powered by current from a water activated battery. When the alloy reaches a specific temperature it silently reverts to a predetermined shape. The reversion force is used to displace a lance to pierce a gas cylinder seal to allow inflation of a float and to cut a retaining loop or withdraw a pin to payout a preset length of hydrophone suspension cable.

Abstract: A marker bouy to positively mark positions on a water surface with respect to the bottom. The marker includes a generally hollow body with line wound around the approximate center thereof with a weight on the end of the line which will cause the marker to rotate when the marker is placed or thrown onto the water surface to cause the line to unwind from the marker. A line stop flange is provided on the marker to stop unwinding of the line when the weight strikes the bottom. This flange comes into effect when water partially fills the marker which will cause the marker to shift from a position of lying on the water surface to being erect within the water. When the marker is in the upright or erect position, the line is engaged by the line stop flange. When the marker is in this erect or upright position, one end will be above the surface of the water and therefore easily visible.

Abstract: The invention, according to the depicted embodiment, comprises a buoyant element which is releaseably held atop a crustacean trap by an elongate rod. One end of the rod releaseably engages the buoyant element, and the other end thereof is passed through the trap and suspends bait therewithin. Upon a crustacean seizing the bait, and attempting to remove it from the rod, the latter comes free of the buoyant element which, in turn, rises to surface upon the water. In the preferred embodiment depicted, the buoyant element is tethered to the crustacean trap for recovery purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a heavy cable such as a rescue cable from the oc's surface to an extended depth for attachment to an object such as a stranded submarine and, after attachment of the free end of the cable to the object, delivering the cable to the ocean's surface. A syntactic foam float provides positive buoyancy for a frame assembly which supports a cable reel holding the heavy cable. Releasable ballasts are included to provide an initial overall buoyancy of a small negative value during the descent of the appartus. A release system is provided to simultaneously release the releasable ballast to change the buoyancy of the apparatus to a positive value, release the cable reel to allow cable payout. The cable reel is coupled to a waterbrake system which limits the rate of cable payout to below the rate of ascent of the rescue cable reel. The waterbrake system includes a depth-activated clutch which engages a secondary waterbrake to slow the rate of cable payout near the ocean surface.