Abstract: A self cleaning collecting apparatus and method are provided for the collection of seafloor material. The collecting apparatus, which operates on a seafloor, has a plurality of rotating discs in front of a slurry suction pipe with clearing members located between adjacent discs. Any oversize material lodged in the discs during collection is dislodged by the one or more clearing members and prevented from entering the slurry suction pipe, thus preventing blockages caused by oversize material congesting the slurry suction pipe.

Abstract: A production support and storage vessel is provided, as well as a method of processing material, such as ore, gathered from the seafloor using such a vessel. The production support and storage vessel has facilities to receive ore from the seafloor, process it, and store the ore in bulk storage silos. Additionally, the production support and storage vessel has a ballast capability and system to ballast the vessel down to a full operational draft. When needed, typically approximately weekly, a transport vessel is moored to the production support and storage vessel and the production support and storage vessel offloads the stored ore using a conveyor system.

Abstract: A self cleaning collecting apparatus and method are provided for the collection of seafloor material. The collecting apparatus, which operates on a seafloor, has a plurality of rotating discs in front of a slurry suction pipe with clearing members located between adjacent discs. Any oversize material lodged in the discs during collection is dislodged by the one or more clearing members and prevented from entering the slurry suction pipe, thus preventing blockages caused by oversize material congesting the slurry suction pipe.