Underwater network having buoyancy compensation and anchoring systems

A method for establishing an underwater network for data transfer, said method comprising the steps of:

• A) providing an plurality of communications nodes, each said node including a housing enclosing a repeater, a positively buoyant transducer tethered to said repeater and a positively buoyant buoy tethered to said transducer;
• B1) establishing a annular void in said housing between said repeater and said void;
• B2) pivotably attaching at least two flukes to said housing so that said flukes enclose said transducer and said buoy during transport;
• B) transporting said nodes while said nodes are neutrally buoyant;
• and,
• C) deploying said nodes by flooding said housing.

An underwater delivery system comprising:

• a housing defining a void, said housing further enclosing a payload;
• a buoy tethered to said housing;
• at least two hemi-cylindrical flukes pivotably attached to said housing to enclose said buoy;
• and,
• said flukes being selectively pivoted to deploy said transducer and said buoy.