Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a suction pile vent plug having a cylindrically-shaped body having a sealing element, a plurality of coupling features, and a handle connected to the cylindrically-shaped body. The sealing element is configured to form a watertight seal with walls of a suction pile vent into which the vent plug is installed. The plurality of coupling features are configured to engage with corresponding coupling features of the suction pile vent. The movable handle is configured to be moved into one or more locked configurations. Disclosed embodiments further include a suction pile vent having a hollow cylindrically-shaped body having coupling features. The coupling features are configured to engage with corresponding coupling features of a suction pile vent plug to thereby mechanically couple the suction pile vent plug to the suction pile vent. Disclosed embodiments further include a fluidic port that fluidically couples a suction pile to a removable fluidic coupling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digging and removing excavated material provides a mobile device, having a movable or self-propelled chassis, and an elongated, preferably articulated boom with a free end portion having an excavating implement (e.g., digging, excavating or jetting tool). The boom has at least three sections that are foldable to a storage position on the chassis wherein one boom section stacks upon or is aligned with another boom section. The vacuum line is supported upon the boom, extending along the boom and above the earth's surface, wherein the vacuum line extends between the free end portion of the boom and the chassis. The boom attaches to the chassis at a base. The excavated material is vacuumed with the vacuum line into a collection vessel or tank that can be a part of a wheeled vehicle. A separate vacuum truck can provide a vacuum to a selected collection tank.

Abstract: A method of dredging a bottom of a body of water is provided. Winching stations are positioned around the perimeter of an area to be dredged and a cable from each winching station is connected to a float. The cables pass through a variable resistance pulley assembly attached to a submersible assembly having a cutter and a submersible pump and are tensioned to suspend the submersible assembly. The cutter and submersible pump are activated and the winches are controlled to move the submersible assembly in a dredging pattern. When an obstacle is encountered the resistance of the pulley assembly is decreased and sufficient tension is applied to the cables to lift the submersible assembly toward the float.

Abstract: Described are a vessel and vessel/barge systems for dredging underwater surfaces. The vessel includes a hull with a bottom, bow portion, stern portion, port side, and starboard side. The vessel also includes a deck supported by the hull and a pump system mounted within the hull. A drag arm pivotably couples to the pump system. The vessel additionally includes a void defined by contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads joined to and extending upward from the bottom of the hull. The contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads are (i) vertically extensive of a perimeters of an aperture in the bottom of the hull, (ii) outboard, astern, and forward the aperture, or (iii) some combination thereof. The barge is releasably coupled to the vessel. Moreover, the barge is in fluidic communication with the drag arm.

Abstract: A fill device for use with a water reservoir tank in an earth reduction system, the fill device comprising a ring having a top surface and a bottom surface, a pipe having a first end connected to the top surface of the ring and a second end for connection to a water supply, a skirt affixed to the bottom surface of the center ring, an opening surrounded by a plate and defining a tortuous path and positioned below the first end of the pipe and the skirt, and a check valve support with a check valve mounted below the opening and the plate.

Abstract: The wheeled pumping station includes a front axle and a rear axle with wheels that mobilize a pumping station supported via a chassis. The pumping station is enclosed within a housing. The housing supports a pump from which an intake hose descends down. The pump is wired to a powering member. The powering member is also wired to at least one solar panel provided on a top surface of the housing. The powering member is wired to a computer, GPS unit, and transceiver. The computer is able to track location and maneuver the wheeled pumping station to different locations as needed. The pump is connected to both the intake hose and an irrigation pipe such that water collected via the pump is removed from the land, and transferred via the irrigation pipe to another location.

Abstract: An encapsulated underwater excavation assembly for removing solid materials (such as mud, soil, vegetation or debris) from a water bottom including, without limitation, during pile driving or installation operations. The excavation assembly can be contained within a housing that beneficially fits within an inner bore of a piling or other tubular member. A rotary motor having a cutting blade mechanically cuts solid materials while a centrifugal pump moves cuttings away from the lower portion of the excavation assembly for facilitate efficient installation of a piling.

Abstract: An excavation control system includes a working unit having a bucket, a designed landform data storage part storing designed landform data, a bucket position data generation part that generates bucket position data, a designed surface data generation part, and an excavation limit control part. The designed surface data generation part generates superior and subordinate designed surface data based on the designed landform and bucket position data. The superior designed surface data indicates a superior designed surface corresponding to a prescribed position on the bucket. The subordinate designed surface data indicates a plurality of subordinate designed surfaces linked to the superior designed surface. The designed surface data generation part generates shape data based on the superior and subordinate designed surface data. The shape data indicates shapes of the superior designed surface and the plurality of subordinate designed surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for extended-reach remediation of a pond by removal of pumpable materials such as deposited sediment has a base and a rotatable multi-articulated boom to which a pump is connected at the distal end. The boom has a reach which exceeds the reach of conventional remediation apparatus and may be as long as 50 m or greater for reaching over obstacles between the base and the pond. The base can be stationary or it can be mobile or self-propelled for repositioning the apparatus about the perimeter of the water body or to platforms which are built within the pond and accessible by accessways when the pond is filled with water. The pump is lightweight so as not to affect the overall apparatus stability when the boom is fully extended. Geo-locating apparatus assists with mapping the remediation operation.

Abstract: In a dredging apparatus, a suction head relocates matter by sucking particulate matter from a bed of a body of water. The suction head includes a first conduit (C1) having an inlet; a second conduit (C2) having an inlet and an outlet, connected in series with C1. The C2 outlet opens to the C1 inlet via a mixing region. A third conduit (C3) has an inlet and an outlet, the latter opening to C1 via a restriction and the mixing region. A fluid may be fed under pressure through the C3 inlet and conveyed to the mixing region via the restriction, reducing the pressure of the fluid passing into the mixing region, the reduction causing matter to be sucked through the C2 inlet and conveyed though C2 to the mixing region, the matter being entrained with the fluid and exiting the mixing region via C1.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for recovering oil from a submerged oil source, wherein the system includes a submerged conduit having at least two openings, with a first opening capable of being located in proximity of a leak in order to capture leaking oil, and with a second opening capable of communicating captured leaking oil to another location. A natural gas separator, coupled to the submerged conduit separates the boiling vapor phase natural gas from the captured oil thereby outputting oil with water contaminant. An oil/water separator coupled to the natural gas separator then separates out the contaminant water, resulting in a processed recovered oil product for storage and subsequent refinement. The flow to capture the leak is induced by generating a lower pressure at nozzle in the conduit via power jet, air lift, pumping of fluid out of conduit close to sea level, or other methods.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons wherein hydrates are excavated from the sea bottom and mixed into a transportable slurry, the slurry being pumped to a support vessel, using near sea bottom positive displacement hydraulic pumps, where the hydrates are converted into a hydrocarbon containing stream, with excavation tailings being pumped down to hydraulic motors to drive the hydraulic pumps.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a wheeled dredging head is configured to operate in a stand-alone condition, with the addition of a water jet assembly, and/or with the addition of an adapter at an intake of the dredging head. In one embodiment, the adapter is configured to vacuum the floor of a body of water. In another embodiment, the adapter is configured to remove sediment or other material from a sloped surface in a body of water. In yet another embodiment, the adapter is configured to remove sediment or other material from around obstacles in a body of water.

Abstract: A system for seafloor mining. A seafloor auxiliary mining tool works a seafloor site to prepare a bench, and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor bulk mining tool undertakes production cutting of a bench and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor gathering machine gathers cut ore deposited in the gathering area and pumps gathered ore as a slurry to a riser base. A riser and lifting system receives slurry from the gathering machine and lifts the slurry to the surface. A surface vessel receives slurry from the riser and lifting system.

Abstract: A computer system and method is disclosed for pre-qualifying vendors for buyers and/or industries using vendor criteria information associated with buyers and/or industries and vendor qualification information associated with vendors. Vendors and buyers enter the vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information, respectively, into a database in a hierarchical and relational manner. The computer system compares entered vendor qualification information to stored vendor criteria information to pre-qualify vendors for buyers and/or industries. The computer system further monitors the stored vendor qualification information and requests updated vendor qualification information from the vendors to maintain vendor qualification on a per industry and/or per buyer basis.

Abstract: A system for recovering immerged sediments from a seabed and discharging them. From a free sailing extraction ship a mixture of water and sediment is suctioned by a submerged pump unit through a flexible hose adapted to be rolled on a rotative reel positioned on the extraction ship, while the ship is sailing over the concession. The suctioned mixture is then immediately delivered to one of a series of free sailing carrier and transport units that sail alongside.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a velocity and concentration adjustable coupling pipe apparatus equipped between a lifting pipe and a collector. The apparatus includes a coupling pipe having a lower inlet and an upper outlet which are different in diameter from each other. A seawater inlet pipe passes through a side surface of the coupling pipe to permit inflow of seawater. A slurry flow control valve is provided in the coupling pipe to control the inflow of slurry. A seawater flow control valve is provided in the seawater inlet pipe to control the inflow of the seawater. A first sensor measures concentration of slurry discharged through the upper outlet. A second sensor measures velocity of the discharged slurry. A third sensor measures velocity of slurry introduced into the lower inlet. A control panel controls the opening ratio of each of the slurry and seawater flow control valves.

Abstract: A method for rehabilitating a land area comprises the step of using an excavating machine to extract dirt desired to be dispersed over the land area from another area, such as a ditch. The extracted dirt is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is pumped to a high-pressure spray nozzle, and is then sprayed in a thin layer over the land area desired to be rehabilitated. The slurry can also be pumped to the land area at a controllable depth to achieve a desired land profile thereat.

Abstract: In a dredging apparatus, a suction head relocates matter by sucking particulate matter from a bed of a body of water. The suction head includes a first conduit (C1) having an inlet; a second conduit (C2) having an inlet and an outlet, connected in series with C1. The C2 outlet opens to the C1 inlet via a mixing region. A third conduit (C3) has an inlet and an outlet, the latter opening to C1 via a restriction and the mixing region. A fluid may be fed under pressure through the C3 inlet and conveyed to the mixing region via the restriction, reducing the pressure of the fluid passing into the mixing region, the reduction causing matter to be sucked through the C2 inlet and conveyed though C2 to the mixing region, the matter being entrained with the fluid and exiting the mixing region via C1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the dredging of an area by a dredge equipped with a cutter suction head (4) comprising the steps of: obtaining conventional soil information of the area to be dredged; measuring local soil parameters in and around the position of the cutter head during dredging; calculating dredging parameters for a current and subsequent cutter head position based on the combination of conventional and local soil parameters to optimize yield and cutter wear; and adjusting the dredging parameters so giving optimum efficiency at a current and subsequent cutter head position. It also relates to a system that implements the method.

Abstract: A suction tube device having a frame, a tube, a centrifugal pump which cooperates with the tube, and a cutter head at one end of the tube. The tube, centrifugal pump, and cutter head are supported by the frame. The centrifugal pump and the cutter head are each provided with a drive system, the drive systems of the centrifugal pump and of the cutter head each having at least one motor. A motor of the drive system of the cutter head and a motor of the drive system of the centrifugal pump are interchangeable with respect to each other.

Abstract: Method and device for removing alluvial deposits from the bottom of a watery area, whereby the layer of alluvial deposits (6) situated on the bottom (13) is carried to a place of discharge (16) and whereby the removal of the alluvial deposits (6) takes place under a diving bell (2) placed on or in the vicinity of the water bottom (13) and in which an air pressure is generated which is practically equal to or larger than the pressure of the water column measured outside the diving bell (2) as of the lower edge (5) of the diving bell (2) up to the water line (17), characterized in that the alluvial deposits (6) are sucked in in situ by a pump (14) and are carried to the place of discharge (16) via a tube (15).

Abstract: An apparatus to gather and relocate benthic life and life supporting material for use in combination with a seabed or aquatic bed dredger, plough, mole or other seabed disturbing apparatus comprising a means of gathering the benthic life and life supporting material in, on or above the seabed in front of and in the path of the draghead or said seabed disturbing apparatus, thereby preventing entrainment or damage to the benthic life, and a means of releasing the benthic organisms and life supporting material via a directional exit duct, away from the work area.

Abstract: An underwater trenching system is mountable on a side of a barge to be propelled by the barge along a waterway, the bed of which contains a trench with a laid pipeline. To remove the excess sediment from the trench the trenching unit delivers pressurized water and air to the trench. A sparge assembly with jet nozzles directs jets of water, breaking up the formation that has built up around the pipeline. The airlift assembly creates a turbulent flow to lift the disturbed sediment and remove it from the created trench.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a draghead (1) for a trailing suction hopper, comprising a visor (2), revolvable around a first axis (6) for removing soil, and a suction line (31) connected to the visor (2) for the removal of the loosened soil, characterised in that the draghead (1) is provided with a pressure plate (21), which comprises a number of mainly disc-shaped penetrating bodies (22) on the soil-facing side of the pressure plate (21), in such a way that their circumferential edge (23) is capable of transferring forces to the soil.

Abstract: Method and device for subsea removal of cuttings from a borehole by means of ejector (5), pump (3) and suction hose (6), the ejector (5) being powered by a pump (3) that is rigidly attached to ROV (2), said ejector (5) being one with external nozzle, while said ROV (2) with pump (3) is connected to the ejector only when removal of cuttings is to take place.

Abstract: An apparatus to gather and relocate benthic life and life supporting material for use in combination with a seabed or aquatic bed dredger, plough, mole or other seabed disturbing apparatus comprising a means of gathering the benthic life and life supporting material in, on or above the seabed in front of and in the path of the draghead or said seabed disturbing apparatus, thereby preventing entrainment or damage to the benthic life, and a means of releasing the benthic organisms and life supporting material via a directional exit duct, away from the work area.

Abstract: Contaminated fine sediment is removed from surfaces beneath a body of water by a shrouded, self-cleaning, wheel-guided, open suction attachment for a swinging ladder suction dredge with articulating capabilities. The attachment comprises a wheel-guided, suction assembly in which the slurry is contained in a shroud. The shroud is attached to a head plate, and is designed to both enclose the solid particles suspended as a result of the removal operation, and to direct the suspended material to the mouth of the suction pipe. Inside the area surrounded by the shroud is a gatling plate rotated by a hydraulic motor mounted just above the shroud and head plate.

Abstract: A cutoff device with a liquid bag includes a framed housing that supports a cover having a cutoff wall. The cutoff wall is opened at a lower end thereof with a liquid bag attached along the opened lower end of the cutoff wall. The housing includes telescopic columns, upper support frames coupled to the upper ends of the telescopic columns, and a lower support frame coupled to the lower ends of the telescopic columns. The upper end of the liquid bag may be fastened to the opened lower end of the cutoff wall using a zipper. The liquid bag contains liquid, such as water, therein, with a heavy substance, such as sand, soil and powdered or granulated metal, added to the liquid.

Abstract: An air powered vacuum apparatus for use in an air vacuum excavation system creates a fluid flow under vacuum and reduces the sound level of the exhausting air. The apparatus comprises an injector assembly and a container for collecting spoil, i.e., dirt, sand, gravel, etc. drawn in from the excavation site. The vacuum is produced by an injector and a supersonic nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the container. The injector has converging, straight and diverging sections, and the supersonic nozzle assembly extends into the converging section. The supersonic air ejected from the nozzle assembly mixes with the air drawn up from the container, and the air mixture travels through the diverging section and out of the injector assembly and creates a vacuum in the container.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a dredging head assembly uses vacuum only, or a combination of vacuum and flexible PVC tines, rather than the harsh digging and/or scraping features of conventional dredging equipment. Embodiments of the invention also provide a dredging head assembly that may be used in very shallow water. An embodiment of the invention includes a hose and wand to enable vacuuming around obstacles. One variant of the dredging head assembly is adapted for skimming floating debris from the surface of a body of water.

Abstract: A compact mobile vacuum boring, mud recovery, excavation and surface cleaning method comprising a device which will create a vacuum condition within a vacuum container and the vacuum container may be mounted on an incline slope to provide space beneath it to locate a water storage container. A vacuum conduit may be used to transport liquid or solid particles into the vacuum container. The vacuum conduit may be mounted adjacent to an articulated boom with one or more elbows and arms and the boom arm may have multiple utilities and tools attached. The vacuum tank may be mounted at a slope sufficient to assist emptying it's contents by gravity. An air filter housing may be adjacently mounted above the vacuum tank for efficiency and compactness. A dispensing device may be added to dispense a liquid or a solid from the vacuum container without eliminating the vacuum environment within the vacuum container, and said vacuum container having the ability to fill, store and dispense its contents simultaneously.

Abstract: An underwater trenching system is mountable on a side of a barge to be propelled by the barge along a waterway, the bed of which contains a trench with a laid pipeline. To remove the excess sediment from the trench the trenching unit delivers pressurized water and air to the trench. A sparge assembly with jet nozzles directs jets of water, breaking up the formation that has built up around the pipeline. The airlift assembly creates a turbulent flow to lift the disturbed sediment and remove it from the created trench.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an underwater sediment evacuation system. The invention uses a suction pile and one or more pumps, valves, and lines to evacuate sediment contained within the internal volume of the suction pile.

Abstract: There is disclosed a suction dredge system and method. The suction dredge system may include a suction dredge head, an exhaust hose connected to the suction dredge head, a high pressure fluid source connected to the suction dredge head for providing a flow of high pressure fluid to the suction dredge head to induce a vacuum in the suction dredge head, and the suction dredge head including an automatic blockage clearing device. The method of suction dredging may include providing a flow of high pressure fluid within a suction dredge head in a first direction for inducing a vacuum at an intake of the suction dredge head, and changing the direction of the flow of the high pressure fluid within the suction dredge head to a second direction for clearing a blockage at the intake of the suction dredge head.

Abstract: Dredge heads, for use with a dredging system, include one or more movable members, e.g. grate members, adapted and configured to selectively extend across the opening of the dredge head. The movable member(s) enables a user to clear the dredge head of plugging masses or blockages without having to de-energize the dredge system pump. Also, the movable member(s) enable a user to clear the dredge head of plugging masses or blockages without requiring the user to manually, by using his or her hand, withdraw the plugging masses or blockages from the opening of the suction/dredge heads.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed for accommodating a substantially vertical spud of a dredging vessel with a longitudinal direction, including a spud carriage which is mounted for limited rotation around a horizontal transverse axis, wherein at least a first and a second spring device is arranged under bias between vessel and spud in the longitudinal direction for the purpose of absorbing a moment on the spud carriage, which first and second spring devices compensate each other in the non-loaded situation of the spud; and at least one spring device is provided with a spring force limiting device for limiting the tension in the spring element from a determined maximum moment on the spud carriage.

Abstract: A sediment removal system and method provides a versatile and controllable device for removing sediment from water in a focused manner that avoids generating unwanted turbidity. A suction pump draws water and sediment through a suction conduit and the injection of air into the suction conduit by air nozzles enables sediment to be removed from greater depths. The inclusion of water nozzles on an inlet opening enables hardened sediment to be dislodged such that it may be drawn into the suction conduit. A GPS receiver mounted to the suction conduit enables the location of the removal process to be tracked and a knife valve prevents backflow out of the suction conduit. The capturing of solid sediment by retention containers and the capturing of water containing suspended sediment by a tank enables the sediment and water to be transported to an appropriate location for treatment or disposal.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an underwater sediment evacuation system. The invention uses a suction pile and one or more pumps, valves, and lines to evacuate sediment contained within the internal volume of the suction pile.

Abstract: A vacuum container mounted on an inclined slope and having a liquid water storage container mounted beneath the incline of the vacuum container. The water storage container may support the vacuum container. The slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously.

Abstract: A mobile digging and backfill system for removing and collecting material above a buried utility. The system comprises a mobile chassis, a collection tank mounted to the chassis, a water pump mounted to the chassis for delivering a pressurized liquid flow against the material for loosening the material at a location, a vacuum pump connected to the collection tank so that an air stream created by the vacuum pump draws the material and the fluid from the location into the collection tank, and at least one backfill reservoir mounted to the chassis for carrying backfill for placement at the location.

Abstract: A non-motorized apparatus for collecting particulate materials, including gold, in stream placer deposits, comprising a first tubular member, a second tubular member, a third tubular member with perforated ridges, a skirt for enveloping the tubular members, and a fibrous matting disposed over the third tubular member. The third tubular member with the fibrous matting is held entirely inside the second tubular member. The second tubular member is connected to one end of the first tubular member in a way to have high velocity stream flowing into the first tubular member, creating a suction pressure in the second tubular member. The particulate matter settles in grooves formed by the ridges in the third tubular member and passes through the perforations to be trapped in the fibrous matting as the stream is sucked into the second tubular member.

Abstract: Contaminated fine sediment is removed from surfaces beneath a body of water by a shrouded, self-cleaning, wheel-guided, open suction attachment for a swinging ladder suction dredge with articulating capabilities. The attachment comprises a wheel-guided, suction assembly in which the slurry is contained in a shroud. The shroud is attached to a head plate, and is designed to both enclose the solid particles suspended as a result of the removal operation, and to direct the suspended material to the mouth of the suction pipe. Inside the area surrounded by the shroud is a gatling plate rotated by a hydraulic motor mounted just above the shroud and head plate.

Abstract: A sludge removal apparatus includes a sludge removal head (10) with a sludge suction duct and an water supply duct with open end portions alongside each other, and a filter (32) adjacent to the open ends of the suction duct (36) and the water supply duct (38) so that the sludge is extracted through the filter (32). A drive mechanism moves the filter so that regions of the filter pass successively over the open ends of the suction duct, where it may become partially blinded with sludge, and then over the water supply duct where it is backwashed.

Abstract: A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

Abstract: A dewatering apparatus for removing water from the interior volume of a closed, loaded clamshell dredging bucket. The dewatering system comprises at least one conduit adapted for support from a clamshell type dredging bucket. The conduit has a first end adapted for placement within the interior volume defined by a closed dredging bucket, and a lower second end disposed to allow communication between the space surrounding the exterior of the dredging bucket and the interior volume thereof. The conduit is positioned so that the first end thereof is disposed within an upper layer of retained water contained in the interior volume of a loaded clamshell dredging bucket when the same is moved to the closed position and lifted above the dredging area with a load of sediment and water therein. The upper layer of water is drained by gravity through the conduit and the lower end thereof for removal from the interior volume of the clamshell dredging bucket.

Abstract: A system for use in conjunction with an underwater dredging apparatus having a power shovel with a bucket connected to a power housing by two articulated manipulator arms. The articulation of the manipulator arms relative to each other as well as one manipulator arm relative to the power housing controls both the horizontal position of the bucket as well as the vertical depth of the bucket. The system includes a data processor, a depth sensor which is attached to one manipulator arm at a predetermined position, as well as angle sensors which provide output signals of the relative angle of the manipulator arms relative to each other as well as relative to the power housing. The data processor is programmed to calculate the vertical depth of the bucket as a function of the depth sensor as well as the angle sensors. Once the bucket depth is calculated, the processor displays the bucket depth on a video display.

Abstract: A system and method for dewatering an area in which a catch basin is situated within the area to collect water and conduit conveys the collected water to an elongated discharge chamber having a muzzle at a distal end in communication with a desired ouffall body and a substantially closed proximal end. Compressed air released into the proximal end of the discharge chamber forcibly discharges water out of the discharge chamber via the muzzle and into the outfall body to dewater the area. A vent permits escape of air as the discharge chamber fills. Backflow prevention valves maintain discharge out of the muzzle and prevent any water from the outfall body from flowing back into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: An earthmoving device is suspended from a floating body provided with a hull. To that end, suspension elements for suspending the earthmoving device in a movable manner along the outside of the hull are provided, for the purpose of carrying out operations on the water bed. In this way the floating body can be refloated after running aground, or can be brought ashore.

Abstract: A sludge harvester for removing a concentrated nutrient sludge from a sludge pond includes a frame, one or more wheels or skids attached to the frame, means for gently breaking up at least a portion of the sludge layer adjacent to a dilute layer, and means for capturing at least a portion of the broken up sludge layer. The organic sludge product recovered by the harvester has a higher nutrient concentration as compared to alternative methods because of minimized mixing of the sludge and dilute layers during collection of the organic sludge product. The organic sludge product captured by the harvester can be applied directly to agricultural land or used in the production of a certifiable organic or other fertilizer.