The invention relates to an apparatus and method for cutting submerged trees at an underwater logging site and for retrieving the cut trees. Each blind sample is a test substance with an amount of a parameter to be tested that is unknown to the user. System components are identified, a network connection is initiated, a heartbeat is established, data replication is automated, system failure is detected, failover is initiated, and subsequent client-server restoration is automated. The SOI substrate is ground to reduce its thickness. A tether may be routed, or removably attached to ensure positioning for proper deployment, through the use of one or more attachment assemblies that permit breakaway of the tether from each attachment assembly.