A system for securing a submerged buoy including a signalling element floating on the surface and connected to the buoy by a link, said securing system being wherein it includes a reversible coupling device comprising an attachment member secured to the end of the link opposite the signalling element, a complementary attachment member rigidly connected to the buoy and capable of engaging with said attachment member in order to allow the link to be secured to or released from the buoy, a pressure sensor, a control unit associated with a timemeasurement unit, said control unit ordering said complementary attachment member to separate from said attachment member when a pressure variation, measured by associating said pressure sensor and said time-measurement unit, is higher than a set value.

An apparatus for creating on-command buoyancy is provided with an elastically deformable and axially elongated watertight hollow shell having a plurality of leaf springs and enveloped by a flexible skin. When flattened, the shell has a small internal volume and is negatively buoyant. The hollow shell is held in this position by a latch mechanism. When the mechanism is released, the leaf springs expand to increase the internal volume of the shell. In this state, the system is buoyant. A release mechanism for the latch bar is provided in a forward closure to permit transition from negatively buoyant to a buoyant configuration when an external signal is received.

An apparatus for creating on-command buoyancy is provided with an elastically deformable and axially elongated watertight hollow shell having a plurality of leaf springs and enveloped by a flexible skin. When flattened, the shell has a small internal volume and is negatively buoyant. The hollow shell is held in this position by a latch mechanism. When the mechanism is released, the leaf springs expand to increase the internal volume of the shell. In this state, the system is buoyant. A release mechanism for the latch bar is provided in a forward closure to permit transition from negatively buoyant to a buoyant configuration when an external signal is received.

A buoy system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a buoy body configured to provide buoyance; a fixing belt configured to fasten the buoy body to a ship structure; an auto-release unit configured to release the buoy body to be buoyed by releasing the fixing belt when a predetermined water pressure is reached; and an auto-reel chain box fixed to the ship structure, being opened in conjunction with releasing of the fixing belt, and including a chain which is reeled out when the buoy body is buoyed, wherein the auto-reel chain box comprises: a weight provided in the auto-reel chain box and being movable upward and downward according to a water pressure and buoyance; a pulley provided in the auto-reel chain box, having the chain wounded thereon and a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a shaft having one end connected to the weight and the other end engaging with the teeth to fix the pulley and provided to be rotatable around a portion fixed in the auto-reel chain box.

A buoy system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a buoy body configured to provide buoyance; a fixing belt configured to fasten the buoy body to a ship structure; an auto-release unit configured to release the buoy body to be buoyed by releasing the fixing belt when a predetermined water pressure is reached; and an auto-reel chain box fixed to the ship structure, being opened in conjunction with releasing of the fixing belt, and including a chain which is reeled out when the buoy body is buoyed, wherein the auto-reel chain box comprises: a weight provided in the auto-reel chain box and being movable upward and downward according to a water pressure and buoyance; a pulley provided in the auto-reel chain box, having the chain wounded thereon and a plurality of teeth on an outer circumferential surface thereof; and a shaft having one end connected to the weight and the other end engaging with the teeth to fix the pulley and provided to be rotatable around a portion fixed in the auto-reel chain box.

A technique for managing an attachment between first and second portions of a device. The technique includes a retaining component having a first state in which the retaining component maintains the attachment between the first and second portions by virtue of a rigid characteristic and a second state in which the retaining component loses the rigid characteristic and no longer maintains the attachment. The retaining component transitions from the first state to the second state upon exposure to liquid water.

A technique for managing an attachment between first and second portions of a device. The technique includes a retaining component having a first state in which the retaining component maintains the attachment between the first and second portions by virtue of a rigid characteristic and a second state in which the retaining component loses the rigid characteristic and no longer maintains the attachment. The retaining component transitions from the first state to the second state upon exposure to liquid water.

A technique provides a modular sensing device having multiple separable modules attached end to end. The modules are selectable based on mission requirements, with different modules and combinations thereof selected for different mission types and/or requirements.

A surface buoy comprising a resident electrical power supply allows the surface buoy to be an integrated part of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed power buoy system which makes transport and installation more efficient than alternatives. The ROV deployed power system can be operational via built in radio link and kept operational during service, transport, testing, installation, and operation.

The location of lost or entangled fishing gear, known as derelict gear, is detected. The motion or change of position of a buoy attached to fishing gear is determined via sensors mounted on the buoy and compared to typical buoy motion. If the buoy has moved beyond a threshold value from its original location, an alert is sent to the fisherman. The available sensor data will be used to determine the likelihood of loss or entanglement. This alert facilitates recovery of lost or entangled gear by identifying where immediate retrieval efforts should be focused. The number of traps lost to the ocean that otherwise would continue to trap or entangle marine life may be reduced.