The surface controller, utilizing the artificial potential field method, is proposed as an alternative to classical tracking and positioning controllers. Even in presence of multiple agents, the controller offers a more "relaxed" tracking and positioning algorithm for autonomous vehicles. The acoustic data-exchange scheme, required to achieve situation awareness of all agents, is described to specify cycle times and delays that have to be taken into account during state estimation. Finally, results from public demonstrations are presented and analyzed both from the surface and underwater perspectives.