Abstract: A device that can be used by an angler when fishing to lift a heavy fish out of the water without breaking the angler's fishing line or rod.

Abstract: A force transmission mechanism includes a chassis that supports a rotatable arm, which includes a slot. A rotatable lever is supported by the chassis. A protrusion at an end of the lever engages the slot. A sliding drive element is supported by the chassis. A proximal termination of the drive element engages a second end of the lever. The chassis may support an elongate tube with an end effector fixed to the tube. The drive element may extend through the elongate tube. The elongate tube may rotate relative to the chassis. The drive element may rotate in unison with the elongate tube with the proximal termination rotating relative to the fork. The drive element may be a tube that provides a fluid passage to the end effector. The lever may be a bell crank with arms at a right angle.

Abstract: A decoy retrieval system includes a decoy that is selectively thrown into a body of water thereby facilitating the decoy to float on the water. A retrieval unit is provided and the retrieval unit is selectively thrown into the body of water. The retrieval unit is comprised of a buoyant material to float on the water. Moreover, the retrieval unit is coupled to a retrieval line to be drawn out of the water. The retrieval unit has a plurality of hooks thereon to selectively engage the decoy. In this way the decoy may be retrieved from the water without requiring a user to enter the water.

Abstract: An underwater object retrieval device for selective deployment to retrieve underwater objects includes an inflation unit that is configured to inflate upon command. A coupler is configured for coupling to an object to be placed underwater. A tether line has a first end, which is coupled to the inflation unit, and a second end, which is coupled to the coupler. A line storage unit is coupled to the tether line proximate to the second end. The line storage unit is positioned to house the tether line, such that the tether line is extensible from the line storage unit. The inflation unit is positioned to inflate upon user directed command, such that the inflation unit is buoyant. The tether line is extended from the line storage unit, such that the inflation unit reaches the water surface. The tether line is configured for retrieving the object to the surface.

Abstract: Machinery and methods are described whereby a free flying, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can safely capture and take on board lightly managed seismic sensor devices (payload) while they are in-transit via a surface vessel in a (deep) water column. ROV payload can be replenished without the need for the ROV to return to the surface vessel to receive additional payload and to do so without the need for heavy launch and recovery machinery. The reverse process of returning payload from the ROV to the surface vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A utility tool configured to be transportable and operable to perform a variety of tasks. The utility tool includes a body that is generally cylindrical in shape and rigid in manner. The body includes a first end and a second end with an aperture formed into the body proximate said first end. Four slots are integrally formed into the body having an interior volume an extending from said second end towards the first end but not completely thereto. The utility tool further includes pivotally mounted arm members having a first position and a second position. The second end is configured to be removable and further functions to bias against a portion of the arm members to hold in their first and/or second positions. A plurality of recesses are integrally formed with the body proximate the second end.

Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. First and second frames span between the vessels. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. The catamaran hull arrangement provides longitudinal flexibility in a quartering sea state due to the unique universal joint and hinge placement between the frames or trusses and the hulls or barges. Each of the frames extends upwardly in an inverted u-shape, providing a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges. An object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel.

Abstract: An underwater magnetic retrieval apparatus and method utilizing same are provided. The apparatus is specifically constructed for underwater retrieval of a magnetically-attractable object. The apparatus includes at least one housing including at least two spaced attachment portions, a plurality of magnets disposed within the at least one housing and at least one line extending from the two spaced attachment portions of the at least one housing to facilitate underwater manipulation of the apparatus and underwater retrieval of the magnetically-attractable object.

Abstract: An underwater shackle for heavy loads is described, comprising a shackle body (10) equipped with respective side plates (12a, 12b) and an upper, intermediate suspension (14) for connection to a lifting, strap, a lifting cable or the like, and also a lower locking bolt (20) for connection to the load. The locking bolt (20) is arranged to a hydraulically driven cylinder arrangement (30) so that it can move, where the cylinder arrangement (30) is placed adjoining one of the side plates (12a) and the cylinder arrangement (30) is arranged to be pressurized by a pressure medium to move the locking bolt (20) between a withdrawn position in the cylinder arrangement (30) and a locking position in the shackle body (10). A pressure distributor (40) is arranged with the cylinder arrangement (30) to receive and distribute the pressure medium, where the pressure distributor (40) comprises supply channels (44, 4) that run together with the first and the second inlet channels (34, 36) in the cylinder arrangement (30).

Abstract: A recovery stabilizing pole includes a tube having a passageway formed therethrough, and a handle pivotally joined to the tube. A fixed claw member and a hinged claw member are joined to a distal end of the tube, the hinged claw member being capable of pivoting with respect to the fixed claw member. One end of a cable is joined to the handle and the other is joined to the hinged jaw member. Increased tension in the cable causes pivoting of the hinged jaw member with respect to the fixed jaw member. Embodiments include an adjustment means at the distal end of the tube for angling the claw members with respect to the tube and different tensioning means for the cable.

Abstract: A cable capture/release (CCR) device defines an open slot and an annular channel. The CCR device is coupled to a housing at a first pivot point wherein the slot is maintained outside of the housing. A sliding coupler engages the annular channel and extends to an attachment point. A tow point on the housing and the attachment point are aligned along a line of force when the housing is towed, while the first pivot point is out of alignment with the line of force. A trigger is coupled to the housing at a second pivot point. A latch, coupled to the housing at a third pivot point, defines first and second latch elements. The first latch element engages a perimeter of the CCR device and the second latch element engages the trigger.

Abstract: A lifting tool for opposing twisting of generally submerged ropes. The lifting tool includes a body with a center axis, an operable lock configured to selectively limit movement of a rope connector through the body, and a structure coupled to the body and configured to couple to a hoist or crane. The lifting tool also includes at least one rudder positioned at a radial distance from the center axis to oppose rotation of the lifting tool.

Abstract: A device for recovery of physical objects includes a chain having two ends and a retriever attached to one of the ends. The retriever is configured to locate the object to be recovered and to grasp and retrieve that object once located. The retriever includes transducers that detect acoustic frequencies propagating in a fluid medium. Independent transponders, which can be deployed from the retriever; are provided for deployment in an area to be searched. Each transponder emits a predetermined acoustic frequency that is detectable by the transducers. The transducers signal movement of the recovery device for retrieval of the object.

Abstract: A marine debris grapple apparatus and method gives largely increased bottom coverage, as compared to conventional marine debris grapples, while providing shock absorption and a release mechanism from heavy snags. The device is engineered to the working loads of the specific vessel to provide maximum efficiency and safety. The device includes a tow line, a weight at the connection of the tow line with the main line, and a plurality of grapples attached to the main line via a grapple line. The combination of increased coverage, shock absorption and a release mechanism, together with a specific tow patters, results in a tremendous efficiency over conventional grappling methods.

Abstract: An underwater load release device for a deployed underwater load comprising a fixed support member having a hinge end and a fixed end, a rotating member connected to the first hinge end, the rotating member initially held in a closed position by a rotatable bail to hold the underwater load, the bail initially held in the closed position by a galvanic timed release link, the galvanic link applying a predetermined bail tension to the bail during load deployment, a spring mechanism for applying a predetermined back tension to the bail during the load deployment, the galvanic release link corroding over a predetermined timed release when immersed underwater whereby the back tension overrides the bail tension of the galvanic link so that the galvanic link releases, the bail rotates into an open bail position and the rotating member then rotates into an open load position, thereby releasing the load.

Abstract: A light weight lifting tool (10) for lowering and retrieving subsea equipment to and from the sea bed is disclosed. The equipment includes an upper coupling part in the form of a connector spool piece (15) having at least one circumferential ring groove (16) for use in making engagement with the lifting tool (10). The lifting tool (10) includes a housing (1) designed to enclose and receive the connector spool piece (15). The lifting tool (10) further includes a number of latch segments (8) having at least one radially inwards directed projection (8?) designed for engagement with the at least one ring groove (16), and an activating device (6) arranged to bring the latch segments (8) in and out of engagement with the at least one ring groove (16) by operation of the activating device (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device for placing and/or lifting a turbine-generator unit of an underwater power plant onto or off of a support structure, comprising a submersible component having a transverse centering device and a gripping device; the transverse centering device causing lateral centering of the submersible component relative to the turbine-generator unit by a support on the support structure; and the gripping device comprising a movable clamping element for the detachable securing of the turbine-generator unit.

Abstract: A harness assembly for use in the recovery of an object deployed underwater has legs attached to an object prior to an underwater deployment thereof. A sling is coupled to the second ends of the legs. A first support is coupled to the sling and a rigid ring. Second and third supports are coupled to the ring in a breakaway fashion and adapted to be coupled to the object. The supports work in combination to hold the ring in a stand off position with respect to the object and in a substantially vertical orientation during the underwater deployment of the object so that the ring can be readily accessed by a trained marine mammal transporting a recovery tether thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering equipment from within a body of water. The apparatus comprises a frame supporting a mesh and an engagement element. The engagement element is shaped to co-engage with the mesh and is attached to the equipment to be recovered prior to its deployment. Following deployment of the equipment, its recovery can be effected by lowering the mesh supported by the frame onto the equipment to cause the engagement element and the mesh to co-engage. The frame and mesh may then be lifted to the surface of the water bringing the equipment with them. Recovery may include searching for the equipment by monitoring a load associated with the frame and the mesh as it is lowered and raised at different locations, whereby an appropriate increase in load is taken to indicate that the equipment has become attached to the mesh.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a subsea salvage operation using a lifting magnet. In one embodiment, a method of salvaging a submerged production platform includes deploying a salvage vessel to a wreckage site of the submerged production platform; lowering a lifting magnet from the salvage vessel to the submerged production platform; and activating the lifting magnet, thereby capturing at least a portion of the submerged production platform.

Abstract: A cable connection device (7) for operatively connecting two sections of cable (3) (see FIG. 1) comprises: first and second parts (9, 10) for respective connection to the first and second cable sections, said first and second parts (9, 10) having mutually engageable components (15, 16) for releasably locking the two parts together; and a release mechanism (17, 19, 31) which when activated permits the first and second parts to separate, said mechanism comprising means (31) for forcibly separating the first and second parts.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables the fishing pots to be lifted with ease. The system includes a hook embedded in the gear rope near the first pot. The string of pots is set normally, with the end of the rope marked with a buoy. To retrieve the pots, the buoy is pulled up onto the boat and the rope is tied off. An anchor-pulling ring with a buoy attached is placed around the line. The boat is driven in the opposite direction as the current or tide. This causes the pot rope to be pulled up, with the pots. The rope passes through the anchor-pulling ring until the hook passes through the ring. The line can be slacked off and the hook will catch the ring and hold the pots while the remainder of the rope is retrieved. Once the boat reaches the buoy, the pots can easily be pulled up.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a link for joining mooring lines having an eye at their joining end, characterized in that the link comprises two side plates joined by two hollow, cylindrical or non-cylindrical shafts, which shafts have a diameter which allows the bending of a polymer line around it without causing breakage to the strands of the polymer line.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a devise for hauling chain from under the water without the use of an under water diver. This devise can be used from a boat or a barge and only needs one person for operation. This new design consists of an angled housing with a large opening and a slot. Because of a hinge, this housing opens up at one end and goes around any chain that is leading underwater. Because the design has a specific weight distribution the tool slides down the chain keeping the chain against the hauling end of the tool where the hole in the housing is bigger than the chain. When the tool is at the desired depth the line is hauled back up and because of the twenty degree bend in the housing, the chain automatically is hooked inside the slot or weighted end. The inside of this tool looks like a teardrop. The end of the tool which is weighted is the thin part of the teardrop or the slot and faces down and away from the chain as it falls.

Abstract: A light weight lifting tool (10) for lowering and retrieving subsea equipment to and from the sea bed is disclosed. The equipment includes an upper coupling part in the form of a connector spool piece (15) having at least one circumferential ring groove (16) for use in making engagement with the lifting tool (10). The lifting tool (10) comprises a housing (1) designed to enclose and receive the connector spool piece (15). The lifting tool (10) further includes a number of latch segments (8) having at least one radially inwards directed projection (8?) designed for engagement with said at least one ring groove (16), and an activating device (6) arranged to bring said latch segments (8) in and out of engagement with said at least one ring groove (16) by operation of the activating device (6).

Abstract: A retractile grab device, suitable for extracting and recovering submerged concrete blocks which form part of the protective structure at harbours and marine docks. The device of the present invention operates with a crane or similar mechanical driving apparatus that supports it and from which the operating tasks are performed, and is capable of executing a prehensile movement between its claw elements, whereby it takes firm hold of a submerged block and raises and deposits it any chosen place.

Abstract: To obviate the need for hydraulic lines, from the surface, external water pressure is used to compress a seal member and form a seal with a surrounding pip. Valve is opened at depth to allow water to act on a piston, moving it within a chamber so as to compress the seal member. A second valve may be opened so that water acts on the opposite end of the piston to release the seal member.

Abstract: A disc retriever for disc golf is attached to a rope or cord which can be thrown varying distances to enable retrieval of a golf disc from variously sized water hazards or other difficult to access locations. The golf disc retriever is comprised of a rectangular flat wire frame, which has an opening large enough to admit and retain a golf disc, two pivoting arms which will fold into the rectangle frame and pivot forward to form lead arms interconnected by a long pull rope or cord used to pull the golf disc through a water hazard with the frame upright. The arms can be folded flat in line with the frame and the rope can then be easily and rapidly wound around the folded disc retriever frame in order to fit into a pocket of a golf disc bag or any other kind of carrying sack.

Abstract: A disc retriever for disc golf is attached to a rope or cord which can be thrown varying distances to enable retrieval of a golf disc from variously sized water hazards or other difficult to access locations. The golf disc retriever is comprised of a rectangular flat wire frame, which has an opening large enough to admit and retain a golf disc, two pivoting arms which will fold into the rectangle frame and pivot forward to form lead arms interconnected by a long pull rope or cord used to pull the golf disc through a water hazard with the frame upright. The arms can be folded flat in line with the frame and the rope can then be easily and rapidly wound around the folded disc retriever frame in order to fit into a pocket of a golf disc bag or any other kind of carrying sack.

Abstract: A retractile grab device, suitable for extracting and recovering submerged concrete blocks which form part of the protective structure at harbours and marine docks. The device of the present invention operates with a crane or similar mechanical driving means that supports it and from which the operating tasks are performed, and is capable of executing a prehensile movement between its claw elements, whereby it takes firm hold of a submerged block and raises and deposits it any chosen place.

Abstract: A ball retrieving body has a first extent defined by sidewalls which terminate in an open ball retrieving end. The open ball retrieving end has an inside area sized to be greater than the outside diameter of a standard golf ball for the receipt thereof. The open ball retrieving end has a fluid narrowing profile that creates a venturi effect as the ball retrieving body approaches and comes into contact with the golf ball. The sidewalls of the first extent have a pluraly of apertures formed therein to allow the flow of water to add to the venturi effect. The ball retrieving body also has a second extent defined by cylindrical sidewalls that intersect the sidewalls of the first extent and continue inwardly within the initially open interior of the ball receiving body. The sidewalls of the second extent form an internal section having an outer surface which allows a golf ball to rest on the outer surface and not fall out of the open ball retrieving end.

Abstract: An underwater clamp-type release apparatus has a main body and a release mechanism. The main body includes a housing, a motor stand, and a speed reducing gear motor while the release mechanism includes a base plate, a pair of clamp frames, a clamp, and a rotationally controlled block. The clamp is positioned between the two clamp frames and is pivotally connected to the clamp frames with a pin installed through holes in the clamp and the clamp frames. The top end of the clamp has a concave part for clamping and holding the working piece.

Abstract: An object retrieval apparatus including a base plate having an opening disposed therethrough at a predetermined location. At least two jaws are pivotally attached to the base plate. An actuator is movably disposed through the opening in the base plate and is fixedly attached to a retention member. At least two pivot arms are pivotally attached to the retention member and the jaws. Finally, a closing means is provided for closing the jaws. In operation, the actuator is positioned such that the jaws are in open position. The actuator is then caused to contact the object to be retrieved, or a surface proximate to the object, such that the retention member and the pivot arms are moved towards the base plate, causing the jaws to pivot inward. Once the actuator is moved past a trigger point, the closing means is engaged and acts to drives the jaws inward.

Abstract: A device for retrieving an object that is submerged in a fluid. A first member, preferably formed in the shape of a cylinder, has an open top end and a bottom wall. The bottom wall has a hole therethrough that provides an inlet that allows the object to be retrieved to come within the device. A second member, also preferably formed in the shape of a cylinder, has an open top and a passageway therethrough that is in fluid communication with the hole in the bottom wall of the first member. The passageway has a first portion positioned above the hole and a second portion that extends to the top of second member. First portion is preferably perpendicular to second portion so that the object to be retrieved is trapped within first portion. In use the open top end of second member is covered. Next, the device is submerged in the fluid so that the hole is aligned over the object to be retrieved. In order to trap object in the first portion of passageway, simply uncover the top end of second member.

Abstract: A fishing lure retriever is provided that utilizes a ring member to selectively encircle the fishing line of a snagged lure and is caused to track along the line until the ring member contacts the fishing lure, whereupon further advancement of the retriever towards the fishing lure causes the ring member to rotate and urge the lure out of its snagged condition.

Abstract: A light weight compact grappling hook which finds use in at least urban terrain comprising a small head member provided with a plurality of arms or blades which are serrated and/or provided with cutting surfaces/edges. The shaft which is connected to the head can be rigid or flexible. The flexible feature facilitates achieving a hold on surfaces which might otherwise be difficult. The arms or blades are each pivotally supported on pairs of pins and can be spread from folded storage positions and locked in position prior to deployment, or can be spring biased so that spreading and operative deployment is achieved en route to the target.

Abstract: A device for removing aquatic vegetation including a substantially planar member defining a plurality of elongated constricted slots communicating with a marginal edge of the planar member to form a plurality of closely spaced elements for receiving and grasping aquatic vegetation. An elongated handle is connected to the planar member for dragging the planar member in proximity to aquatic vegetation for removal thereof.