marine seismic survey systems and methods are presented . one system comprises a source array , a tow vessel , one or more source tow members , one or more deflecting members operatively connected to the source array ; one or more streamers connected to the tow vessel by a corresponding number of streamer tow members , one or more of the streamers positioned by corresponding one or more active or passive streamer deflectors , one or more source separation members connecting one or more source tow members to one or more streamer tow members , and optionally one or more streamer separation members connecting one or more streamer tow members . the one or more source separation members help position the source array in conjunction with the one or more . deflecting members . this abstract complies with rules requiring an abstract . it should not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims . 37 cfr 1 . 72 .