A submersible node and a method and system for using the node to acquire data, including seismic data is disclosed. The node incorporates a buoyancy system to provide propulsion for the node between respective landed locations by varying the buoyancy between positive and negative. A first acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate positioning of a node when landing and a second acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate a node transiting between respective target landed locations.

A catamaran type vessel that includes two rigid side hulls connected by a connector to form a rigid form containing a usable space. The vessel contains a lowered and lifted platform together with the platform drive unit. The platform is a separate portion of the aft part of the deck, in the form of a flat frame with a usable overlay fixed on the surface of the frame. An edge of the platform in the upper position cooperates with an edge of the aft part of the deck, with the platform frame being attached to the horizontal edges of two supports. The rear vertical edge of each support is connected by axes of rotation with a pair of rigid arms in the pantograph system connected with two horizontal axes of rotation attached on the other side of the rigid arms to the vessel hull connector wall.

A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.

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.

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 method for cycling autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that record seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The method includes deploying plural current AUVs on the ocean bottom; recording the seismic signals during the marine seismic survey with plural current AUVs; releasing from an underwater base a new AUV to replace a corresponding current AUV from the plural current AUVs; recovering the current AUV; and continuing to record the seismic signals with the new AUV.

A process for installing or removing a subsea structure in a non-vertical manner at a well includes securing a plurality of barges together in a linear formation in which one of the plurality of barges has a downline extending therefrom, connecting an end of the barges to a primary vessel, moving the primary vessel such that one of the barges is positioned over a target at or adjacent to the well, connecting a plurality of secondary vessels by plurality of mooring lines to an opposite end of the barges, tensioning the mooring line so as to fix the opposite end of the barges, positioning a deployment vessel away from the barges, deploying an ROV, manipulating the ROV so as to connect the subsea structure to the downline, and moving the downline and the subsea structure toward or away from the well.

A system for managing and controlling a subsea module is described herein. The system includes a deployment module configured to releasably receive and accommodate the subsea module and a load-bearing cable. One end of the load-bearing cable is connected to the subsea module and the other end is connected to a cable control device on the deployment module. The subsea module may be lowered out of and retracted into the deployment module. The subsea module may be configured to hold a subsea vehicle, such as a remotely operated vehicle or autonomous underwater vehicle. The subsea module may also be a remotely operated tool.

The invention is directed towards a passive heave compensation arrangement for compensating for heave events in the open water, when loading or offloading/launching objects. The arrangement is part of a system that includes a water vessel that is operating on open water, a davit, and an object to be loaded/offloaded. The davit includes a stanchion, a boom, and a capture head for capturing objects within the head. The arrangement includes first and second winches, as well as a gas spring that applies forces to the boom in response to heave events, the gas spring as a part of the arrangement, passively compensating for every heave event.

Disclosed is a floating structure for an autonomous watercraft with a keel deployed and recovered on a vessel. The longitudinally elongate structure includes a floating port-side and starboard lateral edges and a submersible bottom submerged when the structure is in the water, the lateral edges and the bottom defining an interior space at least partly submerged when the floating structure is in the water, the lateral edges defining a prow at the front and, at the rear, an opening towards the rear of the floating structure, which opening is downwardly limited by the submersible bottom with at least one longitudinally elongate slot open towards the rear for the passage of the keel, and the floating structure is configured in order that at least the front portion of the autonomous watercraft including the keel can engage by floating inside the interior space, with the keel engaging in the slot.