Importance

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Abstract

In a method of locating and orienting a first direction linked to the position and to the orientation of an autonomous first mobile object (M), such as a ship towing a marine geophysical prospecting cable, and a second direction formed by a non-autonomous second mobile object (Bj), such as a buoy at the trailing end of the towed cable, and at least one reference point on the first mobile object relative to a fixed reference radionavigation system comprising at least two reference beacons (Si, Si+1) the first mobile object (M) and the second mobile object (Bj) are respectively provided with a first communication device (MI) providing communications between the first mobile object (M) and the reference beacons (Si, Si+1) and a second communication device (MJ) providing communications between the first mobile object (M) and the second mobile object (Bj). They are further provided with a communication device (BIJ) providing communications between each reference beacon (Si, Si+1) and the second mobile object (Bj). Firstly, the position of the first mobile object (M) relative to the reference radionavigation system and the orientation of the first direction relative to the first mobile object (M) are determined. Then the position of the second mobile object (Bj) relative to the reference radionavigation system is determined. Finally, the angular offset between the first and second directions is determined, with a view to correcting the orientation of the first direction relative to the second direction.

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First Claim