A method and apparatus for deployment and retrieval of
ocean bottom seismic receivers. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a carrier containing a plurality of receivers attached to a
remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable carousel or a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a
barrel. In the case of the
barrel, the receivers are axially stacked therein. The structure is disposed to deliver said receivers to a
discharge port on said frame, where the receivers are removable from said carrier. The apparatus includes a
discharge mechanism for removing said receivers from said carrier. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of loading a carrier with a plurality of receivers, attaching said carrier to an ROV, utilizing said ROV to transport the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the
seabed and thereafter utilizing said ROV to remove receivers from said carrier and place the receivers on the
seabed. In yet another embodiment, an ROV adjacent the
seabed engages a deployment line extending from the vessel. The deployment line is used to guide receivers attached thereto down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.