SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO CONTROL A MOVING UNDERWATER VEHICLE RETRIEVING AN OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION UNIT

Systems and methods for retrieving seismic data acquisition units from an underwater seismic survey are provided. The system includes an underwater vehicle with a base and an underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle receives environmental information and identifies a seismic data acquisition unit located on an ocean bottom. The underwater vehicle obtains an indication to perform a non-landing retrieval operation. The underwater vehicle sets a position of the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism to extend away from the base of the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle retrieves the seismic data acquisition unit by coupling the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism with a seismic data acquisition unit interlocking mechanism. The underwater vehicle stores the seismic data acquisition unit and then sets the underwater vehicle interlocking mechanism in a second position to perform the non-landing retrieval operation for a second seismic data acquisition unit.