A seismic acquisition system comprising a remote-controlled buoy for
conducting seismic acquisition operations. The buoy comprises an
operating system for operating a seismic wave production device on the
buoy, a placement system, a communications system, and dynamic position
locating system. The seismic acquisition system also comprises a remote
control system for controlling the buoy systems. The seismic acquisition
system also comprises receivers for receiving the seismic wave and
generating a data signal indicative of the received seismic wave. The
seismic acquisition system operates by controlling the placement system
with the remote control system to position the buoy and then controlling
the operating system with the remote control system to produce a seismic
wave from the seismic wave production device. The receivers then receive
the seismic wave and generate a data signal indicative of the seismic
wave. The time of producing the seismic wave as well as the position of
the buoy at the time of production are then analyzed with the data signal
by a data processor.