In the unforgiving realm of deep-sea operations, where environmental pressures, corrosive conditions, and mission-critical timelines converge, the reliability of equipment recovery systems can make or break a project. For more than 25 years, K.U.M. Umwelt- und Meerestechnik Kiel GmbH has addressed this challenge head-on with the KUMQuat Acoustic Releaser—a lightweight, titanium-built solution that boasts a field-proven recovery rate exceeding 99%.
Engineering Excellence for the Deep Ocean
At the heart of the KUMQuat’s success lies its mechanical release mechanism, engineered for durability and simplicity. Unlike systems that rely on sacrificial or electronic components prone to corrosion or fatigue, the KUMQuat is built entirely from corrosion-free titanium, making it impervious to the harshest marine environments. Whether submerged for months in shallow coastal waters or thousands of meters deep in ocean trenches, the KUMQuat delivers unwavering performance with a standard depth rating of up to 6,000 meters and customisable capability extending to 10,000 meters.
Redundancy is engineered into every unit. A dual battery system ensures the releaser will function even if one power source fails, providing up to 24 months of operational life with support for 100 releases and 3,000 pings. On low power, the system intelligently shuts off non-essential functions to preserve critical release capability. If acoustic signals are lost or unavailable the release mechanism has an integrated timer to ensure mission continuity.
Versatile Performance Across All Mission Profiles
The KUMQuat bridges the critical gap between heavy-duty stainless steel releasers (limited to 1,000 kg loads) and lightweight aluminum systems suited only for shallow waters. Available in two primary variants—Lightweight models (K/MT 562 and K/MT 573) handling release loads of 250 kg and safe working loads up to 500 kg, and Heavy Load models (K/MT 552 and K/MT 572) supporting 1,000 kg releases and 2,500 kg safe working loads—the system accommodates everything from standard moorings to heavy-duty subsea payloads.
Designed for seamless integration into a wide variety of subsea systems—including ocean bottom seismometers (OBS), mooring arrays, scientific landers, and benthic stations—the KUMQuat excels in both inline and standalone configurations. The system operates via acoustic command using K.U.M.’s proprietary PACS communication protocol and is compatible with widely used deck units like the KUM 8011M.
Field teams particularly value the ease of setup and recovery, now further enhanced by Bluetooth connectivity. Using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, operators can program release times, check system health, and retrieve diagnostics—all without physical connection or complex cabling.
Advanced Features for Mission-Critical Applications
The KUMQuat incorporates several innovative features that set it apart from competitors:
Integrated I/O System: Three output lines and one input line enable remote control and monitoring of connected instruments—such as sensors or payloads—through the acoustic receiver, enhancing overall system functionality and eliminating the need for separate control systems.
Acoustic Communication: FSK 16-bit coding with 12,000 unique codes provides secure, reliable communication with reply frequencies ranging from 7.5 to 15 kHz (standard at 12 kHz). Commands include release, ranging (ON/OFF), and three individual I/O operations.
Energy Efficiency: Low quiescent power consumption (2.5 mW typical) and intelligent power management ensure extended operational life while maintaining critical functionality during low-voltage conditions.
Proven Track Record in High-Stakes Missions
In marine operations, failure is costly. Competing acoustic releasers may experience failure rates of up to 25%, resulting in lost data, time, and resources. In contrast, KUM’s systems routinely exceed 99% recovery, an achievement validated across decades of deployment in some of the most demanding environments worldwide.
A standout example is the 2023 Andaman Sea OBS deployment by India’s CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). Twelve OBS units, manufactured with K.U.M.’s support, were deployed for 100 days to study earthquake swarms in this seismically active region. Despite challenging seabed conditions and strong currents, all units were recovered in January 2024 with excellent data quality—a testament to the system’s reliability where a single lost node can compromise an entire dataset.
“For our clients—scientific institutions, offshore operators, and government agencies—losing data is not an option. The KUMQuat gives them the confidence to explore deeper, longer, and with less risk.”
Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Lightweight Models | Heavy Load Models |
|---|---|---|
| Release Load | 250 kg | 1,000 kg |
| Safe Working Load | 500 kg | 2,500 kg |
| Depth Rating | Up to 10,000 m | Up to 10,000 m |
| Battery Life | 24 months (100 releases, 3,000 pings) | 24 months (100 releases, 3,000 pings) |
| Weight (Air/Water) | 11.1 kg / 6.3 kg | 13.6 kg / 7.7 kg |
| Material | Titanium | Titanium |
| Dimensions | 110 mm diameter, 625 mm length | 110 mm diameter, 625 mm length |
Future-Ready Innovation
K.U.M. continues to invest in R&D to evolve its acoustic release technologies. The company’s product roadmap anticipates the evolving needs of the subsea community with upcoming enhancements including:
- AI-integrated system diagnostics for predictive maintenance
- Enhanced communication protocols and next-generation networking capabilities
- Improved battery technologies for ultra-long deployments
- Smaller form factor models for compact payloads without sacrificing load capacity
The focus remains on delivering absolute reliability, ease of use, and compatibility with future integrated ocean observing systems.
Comprehensive Support and Service
K.U.M.’s commitment extends beyond product delivery. The company offers comprehensive after-sales support including maintenance, refurbishment, and operator training. This dedication to service excellence has been instrumental in sustaining the system’s 99%+ recovery rate over more than two decades of operation.
Reliability is embedded through rigorous testing protocols, including pressure simulations, acoustic signal verification, and redundancy checks before deployment. Risks of non-release are mitigated through dual batteries, low-power prioritization, and timed backups—ensuring no premature releases or failures in critical missions.
Conclusion
Whether deployed in research expeditions, energy infrastructure monitoring, or autonomous subsea networks, the KUMQuat Acoustic Releaser is more than just a recovery tool—it’s a guarantee of mission success. From marine science to offshore energy and defence applications, KUM’s acoustic releasers provide the critical link between seafloor deployments and surface recovery.
With their proven reliability, robust titanium engineering, innovative features, and forward-thinking development, the KUMQuat series remains the gold standard for mission-critical subsea operations. For professionals in oceanography, energy, and beyond, it provides the assurance needed to push boundaries below the surface.
More information ant technical specification can be found on the KUMQuat product page.
Contact K.U.M. Kiel to discover how the KUMQuat can support your next subsea deployment.