A deep towed sea bottom profiling system

The design, construction and operation of a deep towed bottom profiling system is described, capable of high resolution depth sounding and subbottom profiling in water depths in excess of 1000 feet. The system uses both sequentially operated spark and piezo electric sources, information is transmitted to the surface through a multiconductor instrument cable. The effects of pressure on conventional spark sources are discussed. Operational techniques are discussed. Sample profiles from various depths and locations illustrate system performance.