Method and apparatus for rapid severance of a decoy towline

A device for severing a towing cable extending between a towing vehicle and a towed object, said device comprising:

• a housing;
• a cutting blade mounted in the housing and moveable from a retracted position into an extended cutting engagement position with the cable, said housing having a cap mounted on one end and formed with a through passage for receiving the cable therethrough and a slotted spring clip located adjacent the through passage for trapping the cable therein;
• a spring biasing the cutting blade toward the cutting engagement position with the cable;
• and
• a release mechanism for maintaining the cutting blade in the retracted position and then for releasing the cutting blade for movement into the cutting engagement position with the cable, said release mechanism including a meltable cord operatively connected to the cutting blade for maintaining the cutting blade in the retracted position and a heat source communicating with the cord for separating the cord by melting the cord whereupon the biasing force of the spring moves the blade into cutting engagement with the cable to sever the cable and release the towed object from the towing vehicle, said heat source including a heater wire contacting a portion of the cord and a DC power supply for heating the wire to melt said portion of the cord.