Towed Array Fishing Net Entanglement Prevention or Damage Reduction Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Topic No.: N102-155 Topic Title: Towed Array Fishing Net Entanglement Prevention or Damage Reduction Proposal No.: N102-155-0019 Firm: Adaptive Methods, Inc 5860 Trinity Parkway Suite 200 Centreville, Virginia 20120 Contact: Jim Wiggins Phone: (301) 840-9722 Web Site: www.adaptivemethods.com Abstract: Fishing gear continues to become entangled in underwater towed array surveillance equipment causing a variety of damage to the arrays and towing equipment. Adaptive Methods proposes two solutions which should significantly reduce this damage, fishing gear deflection and fishing gear penetration (cutting). The fishing gear deflection concept consists of a bar or bars attached to the tow/leader cable which will deflect the fishing gear down and away from the areas on the towing equipment where nets or other fishing gear become entangled. The deflection bars will have a hard outer surface to resist penetration by hooks and other sharp objects. This concept is low cost and will have a minimum impact to the array system. The fishing gear penetration concept consists of a long bar with powered cutting teeth designed to cut through fishing gear allowing the arrays to pass through without damage. Upon detection of fishing gear, the system would automatically activate, cut through the gear and shut off. This concept is more sophisticated, and would require more modifications to the array system but would probably better protect the array system. These concepts would be safe for the back deck crew and would not interfere with the array performance. Benefits: Benefits: The SURTASS TL-29 towed array system sustains damage from various types of fishing gear. In this proposed work effort, Adaptive Methods will design mitigation devices which will reduce this damage by preventing the fishing gear from contacting the towing system and arrays. These devices will increase mission time and reduce operating costs. Commercialization: The proposed fishing gear mitigation devices can be used in a variety of applications including submarine surveillance, oil and gas exploration and marine geology. The primary market will be the US Navy for the SURTASS towed array system. The secondary market consists of seismic survey acoustic systems principally used for ocean oil and gas exploration. Return