Abstract: Apparatus for dredging shellfish from the bottom of a body of water includes a source of pressurized water, at least one water jet arranged to receive water from the pressurized water source and direct it at shellfish-containing sediments, sorting plates for receiving the shellfish-containing sediments excavated by the at least one water jet and separating the shellfish from the sediments, a collection chamber for receiving the separated shellfish, and dual lifting compartments, one of which is connected to the pressurized water source for lifting shellfish from the collection chamber and entraining the shellfish for transport to the surface, and the other of which is arranged to received pressurized air for increasing the transport speed and lifting power while cushioning the shellfish as they are transported to the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for dredging shellfish from the bottom of a body of water includes a source of pressurized water, at least one water jet arranged to receive water from the pressurized water source and direct it at shellfish-containing sediments, sorting plates for receiving the shellfish-containing sediments excavated by the at least one water jet and separating the shellfish from the sediments, a collection chamber for receiving the separated shellfish, and dual lifting compartments, one of which is connected to the pressurized water source for lifting shellfish from the collection chamber and entraining the shellfish for transport to the surface, and the other of which is arranged to received pressurized air for increasing the transport speed and lifting power while cushioning the shellfish as they are transported to the surface.

Abstract: A system and method for towing an object below a vessel that includes a tow line anchor or attachment point situated on a deck of the vessel, a passage extending through the vessel to an opening at the bottom or keel of the vessel, and a tow line that extends from the anchor or attachment point through the vessel, and that exits the vessel through the opening at the bottom of the vessel. The anchor or attachment point may be part of a windlass that enables the tow line to be raised or lowered within the passage.

Abstract: A system and method for towing an object below a vessel that includes a tow line anchor or attachment point situated on a deck of the vessel, a passage extending through the vessel to an opening at the bottom or keel of the vessel, and a tow line that extends from the anchor or attachment point through the vessel, and that exits the vessel through the opening at the bottom of the vessel. The anchor or attachment point may be part of a windlass that enables the tow line to be raised or lowered within the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for dredging shellfish includes a digging jet connected to a source of pressurized water for liquifying sediment and directing the sediment and any shellfish in the sediment toward a digging blade and separating device, the separating device being arranged to separate out sediments, shellfish, and debris having a dimension smaller than a minimum dimension, and a suction chamber arranged to collect shellfish that has passed the separating device for conveyance to the surface. Between the separating device and suction chamber is a second separating device in the form of a plate having a plurality of openings for further separating shellfish from debris and clumps of sediment having a dimension larger than a maximum dimension of the shellfish to be collected.