Acoustic Release  

   Probably the most important part of any mooring, the acoustic release "holds on" to the anchor while the mooring is deployed. When we are ready to recover the mooring, an acoustic signal is transmitted via a shipboard transponder and the release "lets go" of the anchor assembly permitting the mooring string to float back to the surface. Due to the high cost of deep-sea moorings we deploy our acoustic releases in tandem to ensure recovery in the event that one should malfunction.