Another approach involves numerous buckets circulating between the floor and surface of the ocean [[3], [4], [5] and [6]]; this approach is referred to as the continuous line bucket (CLB) system. The nodules are scooped by the buckets traveling on the floor and are transported upward with the buckets. The buckets are circulated by rotating the cable on which the buckets are attached (Fig. 1). The cable in the two-ship CLB system is composed of the following parts: ascending, descending, grounding, and returning parts