Patent ID: 7184365

Claim:
A method for marine geophysical exploration, comprising: towing a first cable with a vessel, said first cable having a plurality of streamer cables connected thereto, each said streamer cable being affixed to said first cable at a connection location by means of a connector assembly and wherein electrical power and data transmission conductors for said connected streamer cables are routed through said connector assemblies; providing all towing strength members and all electrical power and data transmission conductors for said connected streamer cables through said first cable; extending at least one strength member continuously past a first connector assembly by which a streamer cable is affixed to said first cable to at least a second connector assembly by which a second streamer cable is affixed to said first cable; wherein said first connector assembly comprises a mounting assembly affixed to at least one strength member, a connector housing affixed to said mounting assembly, and a swivel connector in pivotal engagement with said connector housing; and wherein said mounting assembly comprises a button affixed to said at least one strength member, a stress anchor assembled around said button, and a compression collar positioned in compressive engagement around said stress anchor.