The Moored Acoustic Buoy System (MABS)

The Moored Acoustic Buoy System (MABS) is a bottom-moored programmable acoustic data recording system. The system, which incorporates recent developments in lightweight synthetic cables, can be deployed at ocean depths in a variety of configurations from modest ocean-going vessels. Having been used in 19 previous deployments, the system has evolved into a complete, reliable, versatile, easily handled acoustic data gathering tool. Flexible programming options allow delayed start, selectable sample intervals, and selectable sample durations so that deployments of up to 7 months are possible with a maximum of 14 days of continuous recording. The outputs of as many as 13 hydrophones can be recorded simultaneously from the acoustic array. The present MABS inventory consists of three instrumentation pressure vessels, four flotation buoys, three tape recorders (two different types), many array cables, and a complement of auxiliary gear.