What is a significant advantage of wire-drag surveys over traditional sounding lines?

Wire-drag surveys provide a significant advantage in that they are generally faster and less laborious compared to traditional sounding lines. This method involves towing a survey tool along the seabed, which allows for continuous data collection over a larger area in a shorter amount of time. The efficiency of this technique means that fewer crew members are needed to manage the equipment and collect data, resulting in reduced physical effort during the survey process.

While traditional sounding lines require precise positioning and physical deployment at multiple locations, wire-drag surveys streamline this through the use of boats or vessels that can cover expansive areas rapidly. This not only saves time but also decreases operational costs associated with the manpower and time typically required for more labor-intensive methods.

Though some of the other options touch on relevant points—like requiring less manpower or being applicable in deeper waters—these do not emphasize the key benefit of efficiency and speed that wire-drag surveys offer over traditional methods.