Sea vessel tagging apparatus and system

A system for sea vessel tagging and identification comprising:

• a sea vessel tagging and identification device comprising a radio receiver for receiving an underwater electromagnetic trigger signal and an acoustic transmitter for transmitting an acoustic identification signal;
• at least one beacon located underwater which transmits an electromagnetic trigger signal;
• wherein during operation, said acoustic transmitter transmits said identification signal on reception of said underwater electromagnetic trigger signal by said radio receiver.

A sea vessel tagging and data storage device comprising:

• a radio receiver, for receiving an underwater electromagnetic data signal transmitted by an underwater transmitter;
• a memory storage device and a data processor;
• wherein during operation said tagging device receives said underwater electromagnetic data signal and said processor decodes data of said data signal and stores said decoded data in said memory storage device.

A method for sea vessel tagging comprising the steps of:

• attaching a tagging and identification device to a sea vessel,
• transmission of an electromagnetic trigger signal by a beacon located underwater to a radio receiver of said tagging and identification device;
• transmission of an acoustic identification signal by said tagging device to a remote underwater acoustic receiver.