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.