BOMIS, Bottom-Mounted Instrumentation System, a new concept in deployment of instrumentation into the sea

BOMIS consists of a winch and instrument package installed on the ocean floor and electronics equipment located ashore; these components are interconnected with underwater cables. An electric motor drives the winch, paying out cable to raise the buoyant instrument package to the desired operating depth. Multiple systems will be installed in each instrument package, permitting a variety of functions capable from one installation. All instrumentation signals are multiplexed into a single coaxial cable from the buoy to shore, and power to drive the winch is supplied on a separate three-phase power cable. Design goal is a maintenance-free life of 5 years for the winch and cables. The instrument package can be brought to the surface for calibration and refitment with new equipment as required.