Abstract: An installation frame for a horizontal directional drilling operation can include a pair of front uprights supporting a front crossbar disposed therebetween and selectively vertically movable. An installation frame can include a pair of rear uprights supporting a rear crossbar disposed therebetween and selectively vertically movable, wherein the front crossbar and the rear crossbar are configured to support a casing for a drill at a predetermined drill angle relative to a floor of a body of water.

Abstract: A bucket can be configured to be used with excavating equipment. The bucket can include a bucket body. The bucket body can have a cutting edge with an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge. A cutting tooth can be provided adjacent an end of the actuator, wherein the cutting tooth can be moveable by the actuator relative to the bucket body. The bucket body can include a void or hollow compartment in which motors, controllers, and other equipment can be housed that are configured to facilitate the selective movement of the cutting tooth.

Abstract: A boarding system for passage from one vessel to an adjacent vessel comprises a platform, a plurality of support columns secured to the platform, a stairway attached to the platform, and a gangway pivotally connected to the platform and configured to pivot between a storage position and a deployed position. When the gangway is in the storage position, the gangway is in an upward position and when the gangway is in the deployed position, a distal portion of the gangway engages with the adjacent vessel at an angle corresponding to a condition of the adjacent vessel.

Abstract: A loading system for a material has a grab dredger configured to selectively engage the material, where the grab dredger includes a boom and a line configured to move a grab throughout a working space. The working space includes an arc within a plane defined by a first dimension and a second dimension, where a third dimension lies perpendicular to the plane. The working space includes a minimum engagement distance and a maximum engagement distance. A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module can locate a material acquisition point, a material deposit point, and at least one obstacle point. A controller operates the grab dredger to move the grab within the working space to selectively engage the material. The loading system can move the material from the material acquisition point to the material deposit point while negotiating the at least one obstacle point.

Abstract: A marine positioning system can have a floating platform, an external vessel, a positioning module, and a control module. The external vessel can be configured to selectively tow and maintain the floating platforming in a preselected position. The external vessel can have a propulsion unit. The propulsion unit can be configured to propel the floating platform in a preselected direction between 0 and 360 degrees. The control module can be in communication with the propulsion unit and the positioning module. The control module can be configured to receive the location data from the positioning module. Also, the control module can be configured to determine if the floating platform is in the preselecting position. In addition, the control module can be configured to generate instructions including the preselected direction that the floating platform needs to travel to be positioned in the preselected position.

Abstract: A dragging apparatus has a carriage body. The carriage body has at least one attachment portion. The attachment portion is configured to connect the carriage body to a drag barge. At least one ripper shank is disposed on the carriage body. The ripper shank extends downwardly from the carriage body. A method for operating a dragging apparatus includes providing a barge and a dragging apparatus, and then lowering the dragging apparatus to a floor or bottom of a body of water to agitate the floor or bottom.

Abstract: A dragging apparatus has a carriage body. The carriage body has at least one attachment portion. The attachment portion is configured to connect the carriage body to a drag barge. At least one ripper shank is disposed on the carriage body. The ripper shank extends downwardly from the carriage body. A method for operating a dragging apparatus includes providing a barge and a dragging apparatus, and then lowering the dragging apparatus to a floor or bottom of a body of water to agitate the floor or bottom.