Definition

Towed wire used for sweeping sea bottom when surveying SHOALS or WRECKS. It consists of a wire running from the stern of the vessel and held out on the water by an OTTER which also pulls down against a towed FLOAT. The amount of wire between FLOAT and OTTER determines the DEPTH of the outer end of the sweep. The inner end of the sweep is held to the requi­red DEPTH and in line with the stern of the vessel by a KITE.