Abstract: A sternpost or strut bearing assemblage is disclosed having a flat mounting plate integrally formed with a pair of separated collars, which collars have their centers longitudinally aligned with each other to receive a vessel's drive shaft. A pair of opposed split bearing retainer covers is affixed to the mounting plate. Each cover is essentially omega shaped, and on the semi cylindrical inner surface thereof, the cover includes a plurality of longitudinally located retaining grooves having seated therein a mating series of ribs located on the outer surface of a hard semi cylindrical bearing shell which shell has a soft inner water lubrication lining. A split bearing is divided lengthwise at a midpoint parting line into two bearing halves, and each bearing half rides in an associated bearing retainer cover that is fastened by bolts in a removable fashion to the mounting plate of the bearing assemblage proper.

Abstract: An extruded plastic one way obstruction gate assembly for use in the lobster fishing industry. A three fingered rotatable tine assembly attachable to an existing circular hoop of the conventional lobster pot or trap. A curved multi-tine gate assures low frontage obstruction to a lobster by providing an opening located between the bottom of the gate tines and the lower portion of a circular hoop off a lobster trap. A bridge is securable to the hoop and the tine assembly snaps in place on the bridge. This tine assembly easily swings upward and is shaped with a void that provides an alternate escape for undersized lobsters while containing the legal size lobster catch within the trap.

Abstract: A lobster trap launch steadying device adapted for use with lobster traps that will reliably locate the position of attachment of the warp rope used for launching the trap into the sea so the trap will be steadied in its descent to the sea bottom so that the trap will be landed in an upright manner on the sea bottom. Upon a quick pull of the warp rope, the rope will be detached from the snap-clip device and the trap pull upwardly from one of its end portions so that it can be easily landed over the side of the boat. The snap-clip lever part is biased to a closed position by an elastic tension cord that is fixed to one of the mesh bars rearwardly up the full device. The device itself is assembled in clip fashion to the mesh top of the lobster trap.