Patent ID: 8351294

Claim:
A method for controlling lateral force exerted by a paravane system towed by a vessel, comprising: moving the vessel through a body of water; coupling motion of the vessel to an effective tow point associated with a first paravane; and changing the effective tow point of the first paravane to provide a selected angle of attack of the first paravane, wherein: the coupling motion of the vessel to an effective tow point associated with the first paravane comprises coupling a first tow rope to a coupling point on a first bridle, the first bridle including at least one forward cable coupled at a first end proximate a forward end of the first paravane and movably coupled at a second end to the coupling point on the first bridle, the first bridle including at least one aft cable coupled at a first end proximate an aft end of the first paravane and movably coupled at a second end to the coupling point on the first bridle; and the changing the effective tow point of the first paravane comprises selectively changing a distance between the coupling point on the first bridle and the second end of each forward cable and each aft cable, thereby changing an angle of attack of the first paravane in the water.