Various deployment systems for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, and methods of deploying and retrieving equipment

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment system comprising: equipment; a ballast weight; and an elongate part coupled with the ballast weight and equipment; and configured to separate the equipment and the ballast weight such that they do not contact one another, wherein the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor of the body of water from the vessel, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the equipment According to a second and a third aspect of the disclosure, there are provided alternative deployment systems. According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel using a deployment system according to any one of the first to third aspects of the disclosure. According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of retrieving equipment from a floor of a body of water to a vessel using a deployment system according to any one of the first to third aspects of the disclosure.

Description

[0001] VARIOUS DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR DEPLOYING EQUIPMENT TO A FLOOR OF A BODY OF WATER FROM A VESSEL, AND METHODS OF DEPLOYING AND RETRIEVING EQUIPMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to various deployment systems for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, and related methods of deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel and of retrieving equipment from a floor of a body of water to a vessel.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Ocean bottom nodes deployed on the sea floor are used for gathering detailed data on the geophysical, environmental, seismic, and / or mineral characteristics of the area surrounding their deployment site. Such nodes may be deployed in a traditional ‘dense grid’ configuration, or in a ‘sparse grid’ configuration. In a sparse grid configuration, a reduced number of ocean bottom nodes are placed across a broader area of the seafloor compared with the dense grid configuration, and advanced data processing techniques are used to interpolate between the nodes, for example using bathymetry data to compensate for terrain changes which may influence measurements.

[0006] There are two well-known methods of deploying ocean bottom nodes from a vessel to the sea floor, and recovering such nodes back to the vessel.

[0007] For example, Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) may be used to deploy and retrieve seismic nodes on the sea floor. ROVs can be costly to operate due to the need for specialised support vehicles, and their operational limits may restrict the depths at which nodes can be deployed. Furthermore, when the seismic nodes are deployed in a sparse grid configuration, sometimes with hundreds of metres therebetween, ROVs can be tremendously time consuming to operate, either taking significant time to travel underwater from one node deployment site to another or requiring significant resources and time to be recovered up to a vessel before travelling therewith to the next node deployment site and being deployed therefrom. These ROVs also require the use of large vessels with ROV-capacity installed. Another example of deploying and recovering ocean bottom nodes involves such nodes being fixed at pre-determined distances along a rope, in a set up known as ‘Node-On-A-Rope’ (NOAR). Once the nodes have been attached, the rope is spooled behind the vessel into the sea, and gradually makes its way down to the sea floor. One issue with this solution is the lack of precision in the placement of the nodes on the sea floor, particularly in deep-water environments where there may be steep terrain changes. Furthermore, breakage of the rope, for example due to movement thereof on a rugged sea floor, may render sections of the rope with many nodes entirely irretrievable.

[0008] The present disclosure seeks to address and / or at least ameliorate to a certain degree the problems associated with the prior art.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment system comprising: equipment; a ballast weight; and an elongate part coupled with the ballast weight and equipment; and configured to separate the equipment and the ballast weight such that they do not contact one another, wherein the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor of the body of water from the vessel, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the equipment.

[0011] Advantageously, this may prevent the equipment from impacting the floor of the body of water in which it is deployed at speed, which could potentially damage cause damage thereto.

[0012] Optionally, the elongate part and / or the equipment are configured to produce sufficient drag when falling in the body of water such that the equipment trails behind the ballast weight.

[0013] Optionally, the deployment system is configured such that the equipment and the ballast weight contact the floor of the body of water when deployed from the vessel. Optionally, the deployment system further comprises a buoy assembly comprising the ballast weight and a buoyant main buoy releasably coupled with the ballast weight and coupled with the elongate part, wherein the ballast weight is releasably coupled with the elongate part via the main buoy.

[0014] Optionally, the equipment is a seismic node.

[0015] Optionally, the elongate part is configured to be rotatable relative to at least one of the equipment and the ballast weight.

[0016] Optionally, the elongate part comprises one or more stabilising features configured to stabilise and guide the trajectory of the deployment system when descending to the floor of the body of water from the vessel.

[0017] Optionally, the elongate part is rigid.

[0018] Optionally, the elongate part is non-buoyant.

[0019] Optionally, the elongate part comprises a seismic isolation feature for seismically isolating the equipment 200 from the elongate part 400.

[0020] Optionally, the main buoy has a buoyancy greater than the combined weight in water of the elongate part and equipment.

[0021] Optionally, the main buoy comprises: a main buoy body having a first side and a second side; and a centre of mass closer to the second side than the first side; and an acoustic transponder; and / or a GPS unit arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or an illuminating feature arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or a grappling buoy coupled with the main buoy.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment system comprising: equipment; a ballast weight; and an elongate part: coupled with the ballast weight and equipment; and configured to separate the equipment and the ballast weight such that they do not contact one another. Optionally, the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor of the body of water from the vessel, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the equipment.

[0023] Optionally, the elongate part and / or the equipment are configured to produce sufficient drag when falling in the body of water such that the equipment trails behind the ballast weight.

[0024] Optionally, the deployment system further comprises a buoy assembly comprising the ballast weight and a buoyant main buoy releasably coupled with the ballast weight and coupled with the elongate part, wherein the ballast weight is releasably coupled with the elongate part via the main buoy.

[0025] Optionally, the equipment is a seismic node.

[0026] Optionally, the elongate part is configured to be rotatable relative to at least one of the equipment and the ballast weight.

[0027] Optionally, the elongate part comprises one or more stabilising features configured to stabilise and guide the trajectory of the deployment system when descending to the floor of the body of water from the vessel.

[0028] Optionally, the elongate part is rigid.

[0029] Optionally, the elongate part is non-buoyant.

[0030] Optionally, the main buoy has a buoyancy greater than the combined weight in water of the elongate part and equipment.

[0031] Optionally, the main buoy comprises: a main buoy body having a first side and a second side; and a centre of mass closer to the second side than the first side; and an acoustic transponder; and / or a GPS unit arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or an illuminating feature arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or a grappling buoy coupled with the main buoy. According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment system comprising: a ballast weight; and one or more stabilising features configured to stabilise and guide the trajectory of the deployment system when descending to the floor of the body of water from the vessel, wherein the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor of the body of water, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the equipment.

[0032] Advantageously, this may allow for precise positioning of the deployment system on the floor of the body of water in which it is deployed.

[0033] Optionally, the one or more stabilising features are configured to cause rotation of the deployment system when descending to the floor of the body of water from the vessel.

[0034] Advantageously, this may allow for more precise positioning of the deployment system.

[0035] Optionally, the one or more of the stabilising features are comprised by the ballast weight.

[0036] Advantageously, this may allow for more precise positioning of the deployment system and for other parts of the deployment system to be cheaper to manufacture.

[0037] Optionally, the deployment system further comprises a buoy assembly comprising the ballast weight and a buoyant main buoy.

[0038] Optionally, one or more of the stabilising features are comprised by the main buoy.

[0039] Advantageously, this may allow for more precise positioning of the deployment system.

[0040] Optionally, the main buoy is configured to be coupled with the equipment and releasably coupled with the ballast weight. Optionally, the buoy assembly further comprises an equipment housing for housing the equipment therein; and the equipment housing is configured to be coupled with the ballast weight and the main buoy.

[0041] Advantageously, this may allow for more accurate measurements to be taken by the equipment when deployed.

[0042] Optionally, the equipment housing is releasably coupled with the ballast weight and / or the main buoy.

[0043] Optionally, the deployment system further comprises a connection coupled with the main buoy and configured to be coupled with the equipment, wherein the deployment system is configured such that, when the equipment housing is coupled with the ballast weight, the equipment is supported by the ballast weight and connection is non-load- bearing.

[0044] Advantageously, this may allow for more accurate measurements to be taken by the equipment when deployed.

[0045] Optionally, the equipment housing comprises: an internal volume for housing the equipment therein; and one or more apertures defined though an outer surface thereof such that the internal volume of the equipment housing is in fluid communication with the surrounding environment of the deployment system.

[0046] Advantageously, this may allow for more accurate measurements to be taken by the equipment when deployed.

[0047] Optionally, the ballast weight and the main buoy are configured to be releasably coupled such that, when coupled, there is no relative movement therebetween.

[0048] Optionally, the ballast weight is dissolvable and / or biodegradeable.

[0049] Advantageously, this may be more environmentally-friendly and obviate the need to retrieve the ballast weight. Optionally, the equipment is a seismic node.

[0050] Optionally, the main buoy comprises: a main buoy body having a first side and a second side; and a centre of mass closer to the second side than the first side; and an acoustic transponder; and / or a GPS unit arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or an illuminating feature arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or a grappling buoy coupled with the main buoy.

[0051] According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a deployment system according to any one of the first to third aspects of the disclosure; providing a vessel floating in the body of water; and deploying the deployment system into the body of water from the vessel.

[0052] According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of retrieving equipment from a floor of a body of water to a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a deployment system according to any one of the first to third aspects of the disclosure, when the deployment system further comprises a buoy assembly comprising the ballast weight and a buoyant main buoy, on the floor of the body of water; providing a vessel floating in the body of water; releasing the main buoy from the ballast weight such that the deployment system floats to the surface of the body of water; and retrieving the deployment system from the surface of the body of water to the vessel.

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The present disclosure will now be described by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0055] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a deployment system for deploying equipment to the floor of a body of water from a vessel floating in the body of water;

[0056] Figure 2A shows a first plan view of an elongate part of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1. Figure 2B shows a second plan view of the elongate part shown in Figure 2A.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 on the floor of the body of water in a first position.

[0058] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 on the floor of the body of water in a second position.

[0059] Figure 5A shows a close-up side cutaway view of a main buoy, grappling buoy, and ballast weight of a buoy assembly of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 .

[0060] Figure 5B shows a close-up perspective view of the main buoy shown in Figure 5A detaching from the ballast weight also shown in Figure 5A.

[0061] Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 floating up to the surface of the body of water after detaching from the ballast weight shown in Figure 5A.

[0062] Figure 6B shows a close-up perspective view of the main buoy of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 .

[0063] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 reaching the surface of the body of water.

[0064] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 1 floating at the surface of the body of water, ready for retrieval.

[0065] Figure 9A shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the deployment system.

[0066] Figure 9B shows a first plan cutaway view of the second embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 9A. Figure 10A shows a plan cutaway view of the second embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 9A on the floor of the body of water.

[0067] Figure 10B shows a plan cutaway view of the second embodiment of the deployment system shown in Figure 9A floating up to the surface of the body of water after detaching from its ballast weight.

[0068] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] Overview of first embodiment of deployment system, deployment system 100

[0070] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a deployment system, deployment system 100, for deploying equipment 200 to a floor 51 of a body of water 50, for example a seabed or a lakebed, from a vessel (not shown), for example a ship. The vessel may be manned or unmanned, and is for delivering the deployment system 100, and thus equipment 200, to predetermined positions on the floor 51 of the body of water 50.

[0071] The deployment system 100 shown in Figure 1 has already been released from the vessel into the body of water 50, and is shown moving vertically downwards towards the floor 51 of the body of water 50.

[0072] The deployment system 100 comprises, a buoy assembly 300, an elongate part 400 for ensuring that the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 do not contact one another, and a connection system 500 for connecting the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 with the elongate part 400. The equipment 200 is optional.

[0073] The connection system 500 comprises at least one connection feature 510, 520, 530 and in the present example comprises three connection features: first connection feature 510, second connection feature 520, and third connection feature 530. In the present embodiment, each of the connection features 510, 520, 530 are in the form of a rope. The connection system 500 is explained in further detail below.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first connection feature 510 and the second connection feature 520 may be in the form of one continuous part, extending through the main body 410 of the elongate part 400. Further, the second connection feature 520 and the third connection feature 530 may be in the form of one continuous part. Equipment 200

[0075] The equipment 200 is an optional feature of the deployment system 100, as the deployment system 100 may be sold in a kit comprising only the buoy assembly 300, the elongate part 400, and the connection system 500.

[0076] The equipment 200 comprises an equipment main body 210, and may be in the form of a node, for example a seismic node. The node may be deployable in both dense and sparse grid configurations. The equipment 200 may further comprise an equipment attachment feature 220, for assisting attachment to the elongate part 400 via the first connection feature 510. In some embodiments, the equipment attachment feature 220 may not be required, for example because the first connection feature 510 may wrap directly around the equipment main body 210.

[0077] The equipment 200 may be non-buoyant, as in the present example, to enable its resting directly on the floor 51 of the body of water 50 once deployed. For example, the equipment 200 may weigh under or over 20 kilograms in air, and under or over 10 kilograms in water, e.g. the equipment 200 may weigh 10 kilograms in air and 4 kilograms in water.

[0078] Buoy assembly 300

[0079] The buoy assembly 300 comprises a ballast weight 310 and a buoyant main buoy 330, and may optionally comprise a buoyant grappling buoy 360.

[0080] The buoy assembly 300 may be configured such that it has a higher terminal velocity in water than the equipment 200 and / or the elongate part 400.

[0081] Ballast weight 310

[0082] The ballast weight 310 is for ensuring that the deployment system 100 is sufficiently heavy to sink in the body of water 50 and maintain the position of the equipment 200 on the floor 51. The ballast weight 310 may have a higher weight in water than the main buoy 330. A density of the ballast weight 310 may be higher than a density of the equipment 200. A weight in water of the ballast weight 310 may be higher than a weight in water of the equipment 200. The main buoy 330 is releasably coupled, e.g. reversibly coupled, to the ballast weight 310.

[0083] When the buoy assembly 300 is in a first configuration, the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330 are coupled to one another. This configuration can be seen in Figures 1 and 3 to 5A. If the grappling buoy 360 is present, in the first configuration it may be retained between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330, as shown in Figure 5A.

[0084] When the buoy assembly 300 is in a second configuration, the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330 are not coupled to one another. This configuration can be seen in Figures 5B to 8. After moving the buoy assembly 300 from the first configuration to the second configuration on the floor 51 of the body of water 50, the main buoy 330 rises to a surface 52 of the body of water 50, pulling the elongate part 400 and the equipment 200 along with it, and leaving the ballast weight 310 behind on the floor 51. This can clearly be seen in Figures 6A, 7, and 8. Furthermore, moving the buoy assembly 300 from the first configuration to the second configuration on the floor 51 of the body of water 50, may, if the grappling buoy 360 is present and retained between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330 in the first configuration, cause the grappling buoy 360 to be released from between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330.

[0085] In the present example, the ballast weight 310 comprises a main ballast body 312. The main ballast body 312 comprises a base 314, a raised portion 322, and / or a buoy engagement feature 324.

[0086] The base 314 comprises a lower surface 315 and an upper surface 316. The lower surface 315 of the base 314 sits directly on the floor 51 when deployed. The raised portion 332 of the main ballast body 312 extends out from the upper surface 316 of the base 314. The base 314 may further comprise a recessed portion 318. The recessed portion 318 allows the grappling buoy 360 to be retained at least partially within the base 314 when the buoy assembly 300 is in the first configuration.

[0087] The raised portion 322 is for spacing apart the base 314 and the main buoy 330 such that the grappling buoy 360 may be retained therebetween. Furthermore, the spacing between the base 314 and the main buoy 330 may accommodate the buoy engagement feature 324 and / or a ballast engagement feature 332 of the main buoy 330 therewithin. This can be seen in Figure 5A. In the present example, the main ballast body 312 comprises four raised portions 322 arranged at four corners of the upper surface 316 of the base 314.

[0088] In the present example, the buoy engagement feature 324 of the main ballast body 312 comprises a nub 325 arranged on an upper surface 323 of each raised portion 322, and a link 326 arranged in the centre of the upper surface 316 of the base 314. In other examples, the buoy engagement feature 324 may take an entirely different form, or not be present at all.

[0089] As mentioned above, the grappling buoy 360 is retained between the main buoy 330 and the ballast weight 310 when the buoy assembly 300 is in a first configuration.

[0090] Main buoy 330

[0091] The main buoy 330 comprises a main buoy body 332. The main buoy body 332 comprises a first side 333 and a second side 334. When the buoy assembly 300 is in the first configuration, the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 is arranged adjacent the ballast weight 310. When the buoy assembly 300 is in the second configuration and is rising towards the surface, the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 leads.

[0092] The main buoy 330 may further comprise an acoustic transponder 335, an illuminating feature 336, a GPS unit 337, a releasable ballast attachment unit 338, a plate 340, and / or a main buoy attachment feature 350. In the present example, the main buoy 330 comprises all of these optional features, and all are arranged on the main buoy body 332.

[0093] The main buoy attachment feature 350 comprises a first attachment feature 352 arranged on the second side 334 of the main buoy body 332 for assisting attachment to the elongate part 400 via the second attachment feature 520. The main buoy attachment feature 350 further comprises a second attachment feature 354 arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 for assisting attachment to the grappling buoy 360 via the third attachment feature 530. The transponder 335 is for assisting a user to determine a location thereof and may also be used to transmit other data. The transponder 335 may be an acoustic transponder, for example. As can be seen in Figure 3, the transponder 335 is arranged on the main buoy 330 such that it remains exposed in the first configuration of the buoy assembly 300, increasing its range compared with if it were located between the main buoy body 332 and the ballast weight 310. The transponder 335 is arranged on the second side 334 of the main buoy body 332.

[0094] The illuminating feature 336 is arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 and is for assisting visibility of the main buoy 330 when the deployment system 100 is being recovered at the surface 53 of the body of water 50. It may be in the form of an LED lamp powered by a portable battery.

[0095] The GPS unit 337 is arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332.

[0096] The releasable ballast attachment unit 338 is for releasably attaching the main buoy 330 to the ballast weight 310, and in the present embodiment is arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332. The releasable ballast attachment unit 338 may comprise an attachment feature 339 and an actuation mechanism (not shown). The attachment feature 339 may be in the form of a hook, as can be seen in the present embodiment in Figure 5A. The attachment feature 339 couples with the link 326 of the buoy engagement feature 324 of the ballast weight 310.

[0097] The plate 340 is for reinforcing the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332, where the main buoy body 332 interfaces with the ballast weight 310. The plate 340 is thus arranged at the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332. The plate 340 may be constructed out of stainless steel, for example, and may comprise a main ballast body engagement feature 342 for engaging with the buoy engagement feature 324 of the main ballast body 312 of the ballast weight 310. In the present embodiment, the main ballast body engagement feature 342 of the plate 340 is in the form of four apertures for receiving the four nubs 325 of the ballast weight 310. The plate further comprises a mounting portion 344 for mounting the illuminating feature 336, GPS unit 337, and second attachment feature 354 of the main buoy 330 thereon. This can be seen in Figure 6B. The plate 340 is attached to the main buoy body 332, for example by a nut and bolt. The main buoy body 332 is configured such that its centre of mass is closer to the second side 334 than the first side 333. This has the effect of causing the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 to face upwards when ascending from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50, and this effect is exacerbated by attaching the elongate part 400 to the main buoy body 332 at the second side 334 such that the non-buoyant equipment 200 drags behind. The first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 facing upwards when ascending from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50 is advantageous as, when the illuminating feature 336 and GPS unit 337 are arranged on the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 and the main buoy body 332 is at the surface 52 of the body of water 50, the illuminating feature 336 and the GPS unit 337 face upwards, increasing the visibility of the illuminating feature 336 and the strength of the connection of the GPS unit 337 to satellites orbiting the earth.

[0098] Grappling buoy 360

[0099] The grappling buoy 360 is typically smaller than the main buoy 330, and is configured such that, due to having a higher buoyancy and / or smaller surface area than the main buoy 330, it initially rises faster than the main buoy 330. This causes the grappling buoy 360 to precede the main buoy 330 when rising from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50. The grappling buoy 360 is typically highly reflective and assists retrieval of the deployment system 100 from the surface 52 of the body of water 50.

[0100] Elongate part 400

[0101] Overview

[0102] The elongate part 400 is for maintaining separation of the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300.

[0103] The elongate part 400 is rotatably and flexibly coupled with the equipment 200, when present, and the buoy assembly 300. The elongate part 400 is thus configured to be rotatable relative to the equipment 200 and / or the buoy assembly 300.

[0104] The elongate part 400 may be non-buoyant, or may be minimally buoyant such that the equipment 200 when connected thereto can rest on the floor 51 of the body of water 50 when the deployment system 100 is deployed. Non-buoyancy is preferable for the elongate part 400 to minimise its movement relative to the equipment 200 when resting on the floor 51 , for example while data is being collected by the equipment 200.

[0105] The elongate part 400 comprises a main body 410, and may further comprise a stabilising feature 420 and / or an attachment feature 430. The elongate part 400 may be formed as one integral part, for example as a single polyurethane casting.

[0106] The main body 410 extends between a first end 412 and a second end 414. As can be seen in Figure 1 , the first end 412 is coupled to the equipment 200, and the second end 414 is coupled to the buoy assembly 300. The main body 410 comprises a longitudinal axis 411 , as can be seen in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0107] The stabilising feature 420 is for stabilising and guiding the trajectory of the elongate part 400 when falling the floor 51 from the surface 52 of the body of water 50, for example causing rotation of the deployment system 100 as it falls to the floor 51. In the present example, the stabilising feature 420 is in the form of fins extending along the length of the main body 410. In other embodiments, the stabilising feature 420 may be in different form, for example a vaned tail or a parachute attached thereto. The fins are angularly spaced around a longitudinal axis 411 of the main body 410. In the present example, the fins are angularly spaced by 90 degrees around the longitudinal axis 411 , and as such there are four fins. Other examples may comprise fewer fins, for example 1 , 2, or 3, or more fins, for example 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more. Furthermore, in the present example, the fins extend more than half of the length of the main body 410, but in other examples may be shorter than half of the length of the main body 410. In the present example, the fins extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 411 , but in other embodiments may be curved about the longitudinal axis 411 , for example in a helix formation, such that the elongate part 400 rotates as it descends. This may further add stability to the deployment system 100 when descending.

[0108] Purpose of elongate part 400

[0109] The elongate part 400 is sufficiently rigid to maintain the separation of the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300. In this context, the term ‘sufficiently rigid’ means that the elongate part 400 maintains its shape and dimensions enough within normal operating parameters such that the equipment and buoy assembly do not contact each other. The term ‘normal operating parameters’ refers to a range of environmental and usage parameters within which the deployment system 100 can reasonably be expected to function safely and reliably. The elongate part 400 is thus configured such that the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 do not contact one another.

[0110] It is important that the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 do not contact one another for a number of reasons. For example, in some embodiments the equipment 200 may need to rest directly on the floor 51 of the body of water, for example if the equipment 200 is a seismic node, rather than resting partially or fully on the buoy assembly 300 which could cause inaccurate readings and require the resourceintensive deployment of an ROV to remedy. The elongate part 400 may further comprise a seismic isolation feature (not shown) for seismically isolating the equipment 200 from the elongate part 400. This may take the form of a rubber or other insulating material, for example arranged at attachment feature 430, for example at the first elongate part attachment feature 432. In other example, the seismic isolation feature may be separate from the elongate part 400 and incorporated into the connection system 500. Further, when the deployment system 100 is falling vertically towards the floor 51 of the body of water, the equipment 200 and the buoy assembly 300 contacting one another could cause damage to either.

[0111] Preferred embodiment of deployment system 100

[0112] In preferred embodiments of the disclosure, for example the embodiment of the deployment system 100 described above and shown in Figures 1 to 8, the deployment system 100 is configured such that the ballast weight 310 contacts the floor 51 , of the body of water 50 in which it is deployed, before the equipment 200. In the aforementioned embodiment, the ballast weight 310 is comprised by the buoy assembly 300, and so the equipment 200 contacts the floor 51 , of the body of water 50 in which it is deployed, before the buoy assembly 300.

[0113] The weight, size, and / or shape of one or more of any of the features of the deployment system 100 affect the deployment and landing of the equipment 200 and buoy assembly 300, e.g. the ballast weight 310, on the seafloor.

[0114] For example, the elongate part 400 and / or the equipment 200 may be configured to produce sufficient drag when falling in the body of water 50 such that the equipment 200 trails behind the ballast weight 310 when falling in the body of water 50; and / or, the buoy assembly 300, e.g. the ballast weight 310, may be configured to produce sufficiently low drag when falling in the body of water 50 such that the equipment 200 trails behind the buoy assembly 300, e.g. the ballast weight 310, when falling in the body of water 50. The values of “sufficient drag” or “sufficiently low drag” may vary depending upon the application.

[0115] Other examples include configuring the ballast weight 310 to have a particular weight in water, the main body 410 of the elongate part 400 to have a particular thickness, the elongate part 400 to have a particular surface texture, and / or the one or more stabilising features 420 of the elongate part 400 to have a particular shape.

[0116] It is important to note that a combination of features can be used to configure the deployment system such that the ballast weight 310 contacts the floor 51 before the equipment 200 when deployed. For example, a suitable shape of the elongate part 400 and surface texture of the ballast weight 310 may be used to achieve this.

[0117] Method: Deployment operation of the deployment system 100

[0118] A typical deployment operation using the deployment system 100 to deploy equipment 200 will now be described.

[0119] The vessel is provided in the body of water 50.

[0120] The deployment system 100 is provided on the vessel, and comprises the equipment 200, the buoy assembly 300, including the ballast weight 310, the elongate part 400 and the connection system 500, all as described above. Initially, the deployment system 100 is in the first configuration.

[0121] The deployment system 100 is then deployed into the body of water 50 from the vessel, for example by overboarding. The deployment system 100 in the descent from the surface 52 of the body of water 50 is shown in Figure 1 . The ballast weight 310 is attached to the main body 330, and leads the descent such that the main body 330, elongate part 400, and equipment 200 subsequently trail, in that order.

[0122] The deployment system 100 then reaches the floor 51 of the body of water 50, as shown in Figure 3. When the ballast weight 310 touches the floor 51 , the equipment 200 continues to descend. The elongate part 400 rotates due to the descent of the equipment 200, and the equipment 200 continues to the floor 51 as seen in Figure 4. The first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 is facing downwards, adjacent the ballast weight 310.

[0123] Method: Retrieval operation of the deployment system 100

[0124] A method of retrieving the deployment system 100 from the floor 51 of the body of water 50 will now be described, following on from the deployment operation described above.

[0125] The attachment feature 339 of the releasable ballast attachment unit 338 of the main buoy 330 is then actuated, and the main buoy 330 is released / detached from the ballast weight 310 and begins to float upwards along with the elongate part 400 to which it is directly attached and the equipment 200 to which it is attached via the elongate part 400. The grappling buoy 360 is released from its position between the ballast weight 310 and the main buoy 330, and begins ascending. The deployment system 100 moving from the first configuration to the second configuration can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0126] Due to the buoyancy of the main buoy 330, the main buoy 330 ascends past the elongate part 400 and the equipment 200. Due to the buoyancy of the grappling buoy 360, the grappling buoy 360 ascends past the main buoy 330. Due to the centre of mass of the main buoy body 332 being closer to the second side 334 than the first side 333, the first side 333 of the main buoy body 332 rotates such that it is then oriented upwards. The ascending deployment system 100 can be seen in Figure 6A (grappling buoy 360 not shown).

[0127] The grappling buoy 360 then reaches the surface 52 of the body of water 50, as can be seen in Figure 7, after which the main buoy 330 reaches the surface 52, as can be seen in Figure 8. The illuminating feature 336 and the GPS unit 337 are activated such that the deployment system 100 may be located.

[0128] The deployment system 100 is then recovered to the vessel. Data from the equipment 200 may then be downloaded, and the entire system 100 prepared for its next deployment, for example by attaching the main buoy 330 to a new ballast weight 310. Once at the surface 52 of the body of water 50, the deployment system 100 may be recovered using a known catching device of the vessel, for example a net.

[0129] Overview of second embodiment of deployment system, deployment system 600

[0130] Figure 9A shows a second embodiment of the deployment system, deployment system 600, for deploying equipment 700 to the floor 51 of the body of water 50. The deployment system 600 is identical to the deployment system 100 described above, apart from the following differences which will now be described in detail. The same also goes for the equipment 700, analogous to the equipment 200 of the first embodiment, the buoy assembly 800, analogous to the buoy assembly 300 of the first embodiment, and the connection feature 900, analogous to the connection feature 500 of the first embodiment.

[0131] The deployment system 600 comprises, a buoy assembly 800 and a connection system 900 for connecting the equipment 200 with the buoy assembly 300. The equipment 200 is optional.

[0132] The connection system 900 comprises at least one connection feature 910. In the present embodiment, the connection feature 910 is in the form of a wire. The connection system 900 is explained in further detail below.

[0133] Equipment 700

[0134] The equipment 700 and connection system 900 are optional features of the deployment system 600, as the deployment system 600 may be sold in a kit comprising only the buoy assembly 800.

[0135] The equipment 700 comprises an equipment main body 710, and may further comprise an equipment attachment feature 720, for assisting attachment to the buoy assembly 800 via the first connection feature 910. In some embodiments, the equipment attachment feature 720 may not be required, for example because the first connection feature 910 may wrap directly around the equipment main body 710.

[0136] Buoy assembly 800 The buoy assembly 800 comprises a ballast weight 810 and a buoyant main buoy 830, and may optionally comprise an equipment housing 820 and / or a buoyant grappling buoy (not shown).

[0137] Ballast weight 810

[0138] When the buoy assembly 800 is in a first configuration, the ballast weight 810 and the main buoy 830 are coupled to one another. This configuration can be seen in Figures 9A, 9B, and 10A. The ballast weight 810 and the main buoy 830 are coupled, for example releasably coupled, with one another via the equipment housing 820. The equipment housing may be releasably coupled with either or both of the ballast weight 820 and main buoy 830.

[0139] When the buoy assembly 800 is in a second configuration, the ballast weight 810 and the main buoy 830 are not coupled to one another. This configuration can be seen in Figure 10B. After moving the buoy assembly 800 from the first configuration to the second configuration on the floor 51 of the body of water 50, the main buoy 830 rises to the surface 52 of the body of water 50, pulling the equipment 700 along with it, and leaving the ballast weight 810 behind on the floor 51. The equipment housing 820 may also be pulled along by the main buoy 830 as it rises.

[0140] In the present example, the ballast weight 810 comprises a main ballast body 812. The main ballast body 812 comprises a base 814.

[0141] The base 814 comprises a lower surface 815 and an upper surface 816. The lower surface 815 of the base 814 sits directly on the floor 51 when deployed. Further, as can be seen in Figures 9B and 10A, the equipment 700 is arranged on the ballast weight 810, more specifically the ballast main body 814 or the upper surface 816 of the base 814 thereof. This is particularly useful when the equipment 700 comprises a geophone, for example when the equipment 700 comprises or is a seismic node 700. This means that any vibrations from the floor 51 are transmitted directly to the equipment 700 through the ballast weight 810, where they are recorded.

[0142] The ballast weight 810 further comprises a stabilising feature 817. This stabilising feature 817 is for stabilising and guiding the trajectory of the deployment system 600 when descending to the floor 51 , for example causing rotation of the deployment system 600. In the present example, the stabilising feature 817 is provided on the lower surface 816 of the base 814 of the main ballast body 812 of the ballast weight 810, though in other embodiments may be provided on one or more different parts of the deployment system 600, for example the equipment housing 820. There is one further stabilising feature 836 of the main buoy 830 of the present example, but this will be described in more detail later on.

[0143] The ballast weight may be dissolvable and / or biodegradable and / or manufactured using concrete.

[0144] Equipment housing 820

[0145] The equipment housing 820 is for housing the equipment 700 therein. The equipment housing 820 comprises an internal volume for housing the equipment 700 therein.

[0146] The equipment housing 820 comprises a main body 822 which, in the present example, is in the form of a shell. The main body 822 comprises a first end 823, a second end 824, and a side surface 825. In the present example, the side surface 825 is a cylindrical surface, but in other embodiments may take on a different geometry, for example being a cuboid surface.

[0147] The equipment housing 820 comprises one or more apertures 826 defined though its outer surface, e.g. its side surface 825, the aperture(s) 826 being configured such that the internal volume of the equipment housing 820 is in fluid communication with the surrounding water. This allows the equipment housing 820 to fill with water when deployed in the body of water 50, which in turn may allow for acoustic signals transmitted through the body of water 50 to reach the equipment 700.

[0148] This is particularly useful when the equipment 700 comprises a hydrophone, for example when the equipment 700 comprises or is a seismic node 700. This means that any vibrations from the water surrounding the deployment system 600 and / or buoy assembly 800 are transmitted directly to the equipment 700 through the one or more apertures 826, where they are recorded.

[0149] The equipment housing 820 may further comprise a releasable ballast attachment feature 828 for releasably coupling with the ballast weight 810. In the present example, two attachment features 828 are provided, and are controlled via electronic 835 housed within the main buoy 830, as described below.

[0150] When the equipment 700 is arranged within the equipment housing 820, the connection feature 910 couples the main buoy 830 and the equipment 700. When the equipment housing 820 is also coupled with the ballast weight 810, for example as can be seen in Figure 10A, the connection feature 910 is slack due to the equipment 700 being supported on the upper surface 816 of the main ballast body 812 of the ballast weight 810. The connection feature 910 is non-load-bearing in such a configuration. The connection feature 910 is under tension when the deployment system 600 is retrieved back to the surface 52 of the body of water 50, as can be seen in Figure 10B.

[0151] The equipment housing 820 may be formed as one integral part with the main buoy 830, and is not necessarily a separate unit.

[0152] Main buoy 830

[0153] The main buoy 830 comprises a main buoy body 832. The main buoy body 832 comprises a first side 833 and a second side 834. When the buoy assembly 800 is in the first configuration, the second side 834 of the main buoy body 832 is arranged adjacent the equipment housing 820. When the buoy assembly 800 is in the second configuration and is rising towards the surface, the first side 833 of the main buoy body 332 leads.

[0154] The main buoy 830 comprises electronic 835, for example one or more of an acoustic transponder, an illuminating feature, and / or a GPS unit (not shown).

[0155] The main buoy 830 further comprises a main buoy attachment feature 840.

[0156] The main buoy attachment feature 840 comprises a first attachment feature 842 arranged on the first side 833 of the main buoy body 832 for assisting retrieval at the surface 52 of the body of water 50, e.g. hooking by a user. The main buoy attachment feature 840 further comprises a second attachment feature 844 arranged on the second side 834 of the main buoy body 832 for assisting attachment to the equipment 700 via the connection system 900. The first and second attachment features 842, 844 are connected via a connection feature 844 for structural rigidity.

[0157] The main buoy body 832 is configured such that its centre of mass is closer to the first side 833 than the second side 834. This has the effect of causing the first side 833 of the main buoy body 832 to face upwards when ascending from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50, and this effect is exacerbated by attaching the equipment 700 to the main buoy body 832 at the second side 834 such that it drags behind. The first side 833 of the main buoy body 832 facing upwards when ascending from the floor 51 to the surface 52 of the body of water 50 is advantageous as, when the illuminating feature and / or GPS unit of the electronics 835 are arranged on the first side 833 of the main buoy body 832 and the main buoy body 832 is at the surface 52 of the body of water 50, the illuminating feature and / or the GPS unit face upwards, increasing the visibility of the illuminating feature and / or the strength of the connection of the GPS unit to satellites orbiting the earth. The main buoy is also provided with one or more stabilising features 836, as briefly described above. Similar to the stabilising features 817 of the ballast weight 810, the stabilising feature 836 is for stabilising and guiding the trajectory of the deployment system 600 when descending to the floor 51 , for example causing rotation of the deployment system 600. Further advantageously, as the main buoy 830 is present on the ascent of the deployment system to the surface 52 of the body of water 50 prior to retrieval, the stabilising feature 836 may also be configured for stabilising and guiding the trajectory of the deployment system 600 when ascending to the surface 52, for example causing rotation of the deployment system 600.

[0158] Seismic isolation of the equipment 700

[0159] The ballast weight 810 and main buoy 830 may be coupled such that there is no relative movement of the parts, for example in the configuration shown in Figures 9A to 10A. This also possibly includes the couploing of the equipment housing 820 therewith, such that there is no relative movement of the ballast weight 810, equipment housing 820, and main buoy 830. This prevention of relative movement minimises the noise recorded by the equipment 700, for example when the equipment 700 is or comprises a seismic node 700, due to their relative movement.

[0160] Method: Deployment operation of the deployment system 600 A typical deployment operation using the deployment system 600 to deploy equipment 700 will now be described.

[0161] The vessel is provided in the body of water 50.

[0162] The deployment system 600 is provided on the vessel, and comprises the equipment 700, the buoy assembly 700 and the connection system 500, all as described above. Initially, the deployment system 600 is in the first configuration.

[0163] The deployment system 600 is then deployed into the body of water 50 from the vessel, for example by overboarding. The deployment system 600 in the descent from the surface 52 of the body of water 50 is shown in Figure 9A. The ballast weight 810 is attached to the equipment housing 820 such that the equipment housing 820 and main buoy 830 trail.

[0164] The deployment system 600 then reaches the floor 51 of the body of water 50, as shown in Figure 10A. In the present example, the ballast weight 810 is at least partially embedded in the floor 51 of the body of water 50.

[0165] Method: Retrieval operation of the deployment system 600

[0166] A method of retrieving the deployment system 600 from the floor 51 of the body of water 50 will now be described, following on from the deployment operation described above.

[0167] The releasable ballast attachment feature 828 of the equipment housing 820 is actuated, and the equipment housing 820, and thus the main buoy 830, is released / detached from the ballast weight 310 and begins to float upwards along with the equipment 700 to which the main buoy 830 is directly attached via the connection feature 910 of the connection system 900. The deployment system 600 moving from the first configuration to the second configuration can be seen in Figures 10A and 10B. The ascending deployment system 600 can be seen in Figure 10B.

[0168] The buoy assembly 800 then reaches the surface 52 of the body of water 50, and the deployment system 600 is then recovered to the vessel.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A deployment system for deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the deployment system comprising: a ballast weight; and one or more stabilising features configured to stabilise and guide the trajectory of the deployment system when descending to the floor of the body of water from the vessel, wherein the deployment system is configured such that, when deployed to the floor of the body of water, the ballast weight contacts the floor of the body of water before the equipment.

2. The deployment system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more stabilising features are configured to cause rotation of the deployment system when descending to the floor of the body of water from the vessel.

3. The deployment system of claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the stabilising features are comprised by the ballast weight.

4. The deployment system of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a buoy assembly comprising the ballast weight and a buoyant main buoy.

5. The deployment system of claim 4, wherein one or more of the stabilising features are comprised by the main buoy.

6. The deployment system of any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the main buoy is configured to be coupled with the equipment and releasably coupled with the ballast weight.

7. The deployment system of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: the buoy assembly further comprises an equipment housing for housing the equipment therein; and the equipment housing is configured to be coupled with the ballast weight and the main buoy.

8. The deployment system of claim 7, wherein the equipment housing is releasably coupled with the ballast weight and / or the main buoy.

9. The deployment system of claim 7 or 8, wherein the equipment housing comprises: an internal volume for housing the equipment therein; and one or more apertures defined though an outer surface thereof such that the internal volume of the equipment housing is in fluid communication with the surrounding environment of the deployment system.

10. The deployment system of any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the ballast weight and the main buoy are configured to be releasably coupled such that, when coupled, there is no relative movement therebetween.11 . The deployment system of any preceding claim, wherein the ballast weight is dissolvable and / or biodegradeable.

12. The deployment system of any preceding claim, wherein the equipment is a seismic node.

13. The deployment system of claim 4 or any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the main buoy comprises: a main buoy body having a first side and a second side; and a centre of mass closer to the second side than the first side; and an acoustic transponder; and / or a GPS unit arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or an illuminating feature arranged on the first side of the main buoy body; and / or a grappling buoy coupled with the main buoy.

14. A method of deploying equipment to a floor of a body of water from a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a deployment system according to any of claims 1 to 13; providing a vessel floating in the body of water; anddeploying the deployment system into the body of water from the vessel.

15. A method of retrieving equipment from a floor of a body of water to a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a deployment system according to claim 4 or any one of claims 5 to 13 when dependent upon claim 4 on the floor of the body of water; providing a vessel floating in the body of water; releasing the main buoy from the ballast weight such that the deployment system floats to the surface of the body of water; and retrieving the deployment system from the surface of the body of water to the vessel.

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