Abstract: Systems and methods for reclaiming bulk solid material from storage stockpiles or from watercraft. A storage and reclaim system includes a support surface for supporting a stockpile of bulk material. The support surface is defined by a plurality of individual material support structures geometrically arranged and positioned with reference to each other so that the support surface is essentially continuous. Each of the material support structures in turn includes a dish or funnel-like structure having a generally conical floor surface sloping towards an individual discharge opening fitted with a discharge control gate. An array of vibrators is mechanically connected to each of the material support structures so as to introduce vibrational energy into the dish or funnel-like structures sufficient to either avoid a stable reclaim cone or to destabilize a stable reclaim cone which may form in order to maintain material discharge flow.

Abstract: A self-loading, self-discharging, bulk cargo transhipper 20 comprising a buoyant vessel 21 capable of receiving water as ballast inside the buoyant vessel 21, a bulk material receiving system 22, a bulk material distribution system 25 and a bulk material holding system 28, which transhipper 20 is a deep sea transhipper for the transfer of bulk cargo between vessels or between a port without deep draft loading facilities and a vessel at sea. The invention also relates to method of material transfer between vessels at sea or between a port without deep draft loading facilities and a vessel at sea.