Abstract: A hoisting apparatus mounted on the deck of a ship for picking floating objects from the sea having an articulated lifting arm which extends over the side of the ship and gripping device suspended from the end of the arm for grasping objects in the water. The arm is actuated by an hydraulic cylinder connected to a source of high pressure liquid which may be dumped into the cylinder instantaneously in response to the closing of the gripping device around the object. The liquid is pressurized by a compressed gas. The apparatus produces a high hoisting speed and lifts the object very quickly from the water.

Abstract: A scissors-type, free-fall grab is disclosed for picking up ground samples from a sea bed. The grab includes two grab halves which may pivot relative to one another. A transverse bar engages the upper ends of the grab halves to hold the grab in its opened position. This transverse bar is attached by a cable arrangement to a buoyancy member. Upward movement of the buoyancy member causes the transverse bar to become disengaged from the upper ends of the grab halves and forces the grab halves to move to their closed position. The grab carried weights which fall off of the grab as the grab moves from its opened to its closed position.