Patent ID: 6771563
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B63B,B63C,B63G,B63J,E21B,G01S

Abstract:
Apparatus (50) for deploying an object (43) to an underwater target position, the apparatus being provided with a beacon to transmit acoustic rays to a surface vessel for determining a position of the apparatus and a plurality of thrusters (56(i), i=1,2, . . . I, I being an integer) to control positioning of said apparatus with respect to said underwater target position, wherein the apparatus is provided with a sound velocity meter (258) to continuously measure velocity of sound in a fluid surrounding said apparatus during descent and recovery and to transmit sound velocity data in real-time to the surface vessel for updating calculated sound velocity profiles in the fluid as a function of depth in real-time and correcting the determined position of the apparatus.