Reinforced fairing apparatus and method for hydrodynamic drag and vibration reduction

A marine tow system comprising:

• a reinforced fairing apparatus comprising
• a tow cable made up of strands of a metal arranged into at least one line and configured to be attached at each end,
• a plurality of ribbons extending from at least part of the tow cable,
• a plurality of stiffening elements, wherein each ribbon has at least one of the stiffening elements in a configuration throughout the length of the ribbon;
• equipment configured to handle the tow cable, store the tow cable, and facilitate deposit of the tow cable;
• a water borne element providing structural support to the equipment;
• wherein the plurality of ribbons, aided by the stiffening elements, is configured to be streamlined with fluid flow during use,
• wherein the plurality of ribbons is configured to be pliable,
• wherein the plurality of stiffening elements are a plurality of midribs,
• wherein each midrib in the plurality of midribs is at least a single line across a ribbon in the plurality of ribbons, and
• wherein for each ribbon of the plurality of ribbons, the ribbon comprises one of
• the single line of the midrib curved into a crescent shape,
• a first set of midrib lines formed into a checkered intersection, or
• a second set of midrib lines formed into a repeating x-shape pattern.

A disruption reduction method comprising:

• connecting an end of a tow cable to a tow vessel, wherein the tow cable comprises strands of a metal arranged into at least one line and configured to be attached at each end;
• unrolling the tow cable from a drum, wherein the tow cable comprises a plurality of ribbons extending from at least part of the tow cable, and a plurality of stiffening elements such that each ribbon of the plurality of ribbons has at least one of the plurality of the stiffening elements in a configuration throughout the length of the ribbon;
• guiding the tow cable out of the drum alongside the plurality of ribbons on the tow cable;
• depositing a tow body and the tow cable into a body of water, wherein the plurality of ribbons, aided by the stiffening elements, is streamlined with fluid flow;
• and
• rolling the tow cable back into the drum, wherein the plurality of ribbons is configured to be pliable to facilitate storage into the drum
• wherein the plurality of stiffening elements are a plurality of midribs,
• wherein each midrib in the plurality of midribs is at least a single line across a ribbon in the plurality of ribbons, and
• wherein for each ribbon of the plurality of ribbons, the ribbon comprises one of
• the single line of the midrib curved into a crescent shape,
• a first set of midrib lines formed into a checkered intersection, or
• a second set of midrib lines formed into a repeating x-shape pattern.