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.

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.

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.

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.

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 time measurement 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.

A system and method for sending instrument data from a sub-surface activity, such as data collection by one or more sensors, to another location, e.g., a satellite, a ground-based location, a vessel, etc., with minimal time exposure and minimal visibility of any system components at the water surface. Exemplary embodiments include a motorized payout-and-retrieval system or device, an air injection device, and a water-level sensor with automation control that together can be used to move a vessel, connected to an antenna, from a position in the water column in which the antenna is below the surface to a higher position in which the antenna is at or above the surface for data transmission.

A system and method for sending instrument data from a sub-surface activity, such as data collection by one or more sensors, to another location, e.g., a satellite, a ground-based location, a vessel, etc., with minimal time exposure and minimal visibility of any system components at the water surface. Exemplary embodiments include a motorized payout-and-retrieval system or device, an air injection device, and a water-level sensor with automation control that together can be used to move a vessel, connected to an antenna, from a position in the water column in which the antenna is below the surface to a higher position in which the antenna is at or above the surface for data transmission.

A separable buoy includes a center float having a top surface that includes an upper peripheral end and an engagement bevel provided on the upper peripheral end that extends below the top surface; a separable float unit detachably disposed at the center float and including a dome wall that is provided in a lower central portion thereof and that has a peripheral edge configured to detachably engage the engagement bevel: and a chamber defined between the dome wall of the separable float unit and the top surface of the center float when the separable float unit engages the center float, wherein the center float has a vertical height that substantially equals or exceeds that of a lower portion of the separable float unit.

A separable buoy includes a center float having a top surface that includes an upper peripheral end and an engagement bevel provided on the upper peripheral end that extends below the top surface; a separable float unit detachably disposed at the center float and including a dome wall that is provided in a lower central portion thereof and that has a peripheral edge configured to detachably engage the engagement bevel: and a chamber defined between the dome wall of the separable float unit and the top surface of the center float when the separable float unit engages the center float, wherein the center float has a vertical height that substantially equals or exceeds that of a lower portion of the separable float unit.