depth units, and current velocity meters. In the field of 

 acoustics, heavy transducers can now be lowered safely to 

 various depths and held there without fear of loss or 

 damage. Constant tension can be maintained in mooring 

 cables securing oil-drilling barges and other anchored 

 platforms. 



In some situations, the depth regulation equipment 

 would permit deep-sea vehicles and sonar units to be towed 

 at constant tension and depth. When sediment corers, 

 grab samplers, heat probes, and dredges are being lowered 

 to the sea floor, the use of depth regulation equipment would 

 prevent premature contacts, unwanted touchdowns, dis- 

 rupted coring sequences, and mistimed grab samples. 



Depth regulation equipment can and should be incor- 

 porated into all new winches during manufacture. The 

 resultant benefits in oceanographic work would be far- 

 reaching. Rough, wind-stirred oceans would cease to be a 

 controlling factor in the planning and accomplishment of 

 underwater activities. 



14 



