A trolling device for a boat includes a trolling motor and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls at least one of the speed and the direction of the trolling motor. The control mechanism is configured to receive control instructions from an electronic GPS mapping computer to cause the trolling motor to maintain a controlled drift of the fishing boat with respect to an anchor point, water current rate, water current direction, wind, and/or wave action.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of seismic autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed. In one embodiment, the AUV comprises a buoyant body coupled to a pressure vessel that contains substantially all of the AUV's electronic components. The pressure vessel may comprise a plurality of composite components coupled together by a metallic ring to provide a substantially cylindrical shape to the pressure vessel. The AUV body provides lift to the AUV during lateral movement and compensates for an overall negative buoyancy of the AUV. The AUV may include a plurality of thrusters for propulsion. A vertical thruster may be used to create an upwards attack angle during takeoff and to maintain depth and orientation during flight. During normal flight operations, the AUV is configured to travel horizontally and vertically in a body of water by using only the horizontal thrusters.

In at least one aspect, a water-sports board is configured to collect environmental data. The water-sports board includes a waterproof sensor housing and, disposed within the housing, one or more sensor(s), processor(s), memory device(s), switch(es), batteries. The sensing device is configured, in a first state, not to store environmental data sensed by the at least one sensor in the at least one physical memory device. The sensing device is configured, in a second state, to store environmental data sensed by the at least one sensor in the at least one physical memory device.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the docking of an underwater vehicle (such as a ROV) to a subsea structure (such as a basket or cage) for the transfer of payload devices, such as ocean bottom seismic nodes. The ROV may have a docking probe that is rotatable between an extended and retracted position by a rotatory actuator. The subsea structure may have a docking receptacle that receives the docking probe while the probe is in an extended position. The docking probe and receptacle can latch and/or be secured together by a variety of mechanisms. Once secured, the docking probe can rotate thereby changing the relative positions (horizontal and/or vertical) of the ROV and the subsea structure. The underwater vehicle may have an elevator mechanism that may move vertically and/or horizontally and that is coupled to a handler or grabber for handling and/or transfer of the payload devices.

The invention relates to a system (1) for recovering an ocean-bottom seismometer (2), intended to be provided on a ship. The system comprises a receiving device (11) having an at least partially rigid structure, a guide barrier (121) to define, with the hull of the ship (3), a zone for guiding the ocean-bottom seismometer (2) towards the receiving device (11). A movement system (13) makes it possible to move the receiving device (11) between a low position in which the receiving device (11) is at least partially submerged and a high position enabling an operator or an apparatus present on the ship (3) to recover the ocean-bottom seismometer (2) carried by the receiving device (11). The invention also relates to a ship provided with the system and to a corresponding recovery method.

An aspect of the disclosure relates to a non-destructive device and method of determining the pressure of liquid within a pipe. The method comprises the steps of transmitting, by a first probe, ultrasound, wherein the first probe is disposed on a surface of the pipe. The method then receives, by a second probe, the transmitted ultrasound, the second probe being disposed on a surface of the pipe opposite to the first probe. The celerity of the transmitted ultrasound through the liquid within the pipe can then be determined. The pressure of the liquid can then be determined based on the determined celerity of the transmitted ultrasound.

A method for steering a vessel (6) towing a streamer (7) or a streamer spread. The method comprises acquiring or determining a desired trajectory (PPL) for at least one point (CS7) of the streamer (7) or of the streamer spread; acquiring or determining water current values; modelling a plurality of trajectories for the streamer (7) or the streamer spread according to a plurality of given courses for the vessel and said water current values; determining a target course (T6) for the vessel (6) in function of said plurality of modelled trajectories for the streamer (7) or the streamer spread, and in function of said desired trajectory (PPL) of said at least one point (CS7) of the streamer (7) or of the streamer spread, so that the position (TCS7) of said at least one point (CS7) of the streamer (7) or of the streamer spread, that results from the determined target course (T6) of the vessel (6), follows said desired trajectory (PPL) or follows a trajectory that is included in a predefined width corridor that contains said desired trajectory (PPL); and steering the vessel (6) according to the determined target course (T6). It is also proposed a related computer program, navigation system and method for seismic data acquisition.

A spreading device for trawl fishing, seismic survey operations or other water activities where it is desirable to keep distance between two sides of a towed device is provided, the spreading device having at least one part comprising two or more foils, where each foil has a front surface and a rear surface, the surfaces each being defined by two edges and two side limitations, in use being front and rear edges, an upper and lower side limitations connected to respective upper and lower frames, where at least one foil is stationary and where one or more sections of another foil is pivotably connected to the another foil, such that the section may be moved from a position where the surface of the section is flush with the surface of the another foil, to a position where the surface is out of plane with the surface of the another foil.

A watershed autonomous robotic data recorder maps subsurface topography and obtains water quality data for bodies of water. The device is capable of fully autonomous, manual, or hybrid navigation and includes a modular hull design which enables customization to accommodate both large and small bodies of water. A tangle-proof propulsion system is provided, to propel the hull(s). A deployable sensor pod includes a water sensor for determining if the sensor pod is in water, a pressure sensor for determining depth of the sensor pod, and a plurality of sensors for measuring water conditions. An onboard controller operates a winch that raises and lowers the sensor pod while the controller and a GPS receiver log positions of the sensor pod. This three-dimensional environmental, physical and chemical water quality attribute data collection creates a digital twin of the body of water to establish a common data environment for water modeling and analysis.

Disclosed is a measurement system for aquatic environments, including a surface vessel and a submersible device, the submersible device including a hull, propulsion, guide, and sensors for taking measurements. The submersible device can either be launched from the vessel in order to then maneuver underwater independently of the vessel during a remote deployment phase, or be stored in a vessel during a non-deployment phase, the vessel including at least one hull and propulsion and guide, the at least one hull of the vessel including a submerged portion located below a waterline. The submerged portion of the at least one hull of the vessel includes a recess designed to receive at least an upper portion of the hull of the submersible device when the latter is stored in the vessel, the recess being arranged entirely below the waterline so that the submersible device remains completely submerged during storage.