Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, suitable for deployment from small vessels, for obtaining samples of materials from the sea bottom and, more specifically, to a multi-bucket sampler particularly suited for, but not restricted to, gathering samples from bottoms comprising hard or compacted materials and/or having coarse matter, such as gravel, distributed therein. In one embodiment the sampler comprises, in general, a dual bucket assembly pivotally attached to a frame, cover means for the buckets, and an actuator for pivoting the buckets from an open position wherein the buckets can penetrate the bottom to a closed position wherein the buckets are urged against the cover. The apparatus is designed to achieve maximum penetration of the seabed and to prevent washout of the materials collected upon recovery. The dual buckets provide sample duplication which may be used to assess local variability of bottom conditions.