Abstract: The water vegetation removal system includes a stationary barge and at least one motorboat equipped with a plow blade or vegetation rake for plowing vegetation on the surface of a body of water into the vicinity of the barge. The system includes a barge with a diesel engine mounted at one end and a pump box attached to the barge which provides a watertight chamber for housing a dredge pump powered by the engine. A hopper box with a spillway gate which may be lowered to admit water is attached to the pump box. A water tray is formed by a pair of walls hingedly attached to the hopper box to funnel vegetation into the hopper box. Vegetation is drawn into the water tray and hopper box by suction applied by an intake pipe from the dredge pump which extends into the hopper box. Vegetation is drawn into the pump and macerated, then discharged through a flexible discharge pipe to the shore for transport.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for harvesting aquaculture from a body of water. The apparatus includes a continuous belt which is partially submerged in the water. A flow of water is created which forces aquaculture against the moving belt and the belt then lifts the aquaculture into the vessel. The aquaculture is then deposited on a moving belt which initially filters out a selected species from the aquaculture and deposits the selected species in a settling compartment. The selected species is then pumped from the settling compartment to a second compartment. The selected species may then be passed through another filtering system comprised of a tube with a formed wire spirally wound thereabout. The spacing between the wound wire may be varied so that only the selected species having a specific size may pass therethrough.

Abstract: An underwater plow designed for the efficient removal of seagrass species from one site and transplantation into a new site, and a method of its use is disclosed. The seagrass plow comprises a durable plow with a harvesting blade positioned such that as the plow is drawn along a seabed, samples of seagrass with root systems intact are efficiently harvested for transplantation into an area devoid of seagrass. The method comprises the provision of a seagrass plow, translation of the plow across a seabed location rich in seagrass, such that sections of seagrass are harvested onto a removable tray, removal of the tray from the water with a sample intact, transport of the tray contents to a new location for transplantation of the seagrass, and repeating of these steps.

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.

Abstract: An aquatic vegetation shredder includes a double hull watercraft, with a space being defined between the hulls. The machine also includes an aquatic vegetation shredding assembly mounted to the watercraft adjacent the bow end, and a pair of propellers rotatably mounted to the watercraft adjacent the stem end. The propellers are configured to propel the watercraft through the water and draw water through the space defined between the hulls. Such a design causes the vegetation to be drawn toward the vegetation shredding assembly, while preventing the shredded vegetation from accumulating at the assembly; thereby eliminating the need for feeding devices for feeding the vegetation to the shredding assembly and discharge chutes for discharging the shredded vegetation away from the assembly. In addition, the propellers are operable to shred vegetation, thereby ensuring destruction of vegetation below the water surface and further commination of vegetation received from the shredding assembly.

Abstract: An aquatic vegetation shredder includes a double hull watercraft, with a space being defined between the hulls. The machine also includes an aquatic vegetation shredding assembly mounted to the watercraft adjacent the bow end, and a pair of propellers rotatably mounted to the watercraft adjacent the stem end. The propellers are configured to propel the watercraft through the water and draw water through the space defined between the hulls. Such a design causes the vegetation to be drawn toward the vegetation shredding assembly, while preventing the shredded vegetation from accumulating at the assembly; thereby eliminating the need for feeding devices for feeding the vegetation to the shredding assembly and discharge chutes for discharging the shredded vegetation away from the assembly. In addition, the propellers are operable to shred vegetation, thereby ensuring destruction of vegetation below the water surface and further commination of vegetation received from the shredding assembly.

Abstract: A collection assembly for harvesting brine shrimp eggs from a body of water is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as comprising a base member which may be positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation, means for extracting the brine shrimp eggs from the body of water, and means for positioning the extraction means such that the extraction means is at least three inches vertically from the base member. In one presently preferred embodiment, the collection assembly includes a back wall positioned at an angle to the base member. The back wall may be connected to and positioned substantially perpendicular to the base member so as to form an L-shape.

Abstract: The articulated boom and utility head for manipulating objects underwater of the present invention includes an articulated arm mounted at a first end thereof to a free floating platform, and a remotely operable utility head mountable at a second end of the arm. At least one sensor for relaying sensed information from the sensor to a remote operator or processor is mounted to the articulated arm. The sensed information is transmitted in real time as the arm remotely operated under water.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying aquatic vegetation includes a vegetation shredder supported on a watercraft to project below the water surface so as to engage all portions of the plant proximate to the water surface. A feeder is positioned forwardly of the shredder to positively feed vegetation to the shredder as the watercraft moves in a forward direction. The apparatus further includes a framework defining a suction chamber below the water surface adjacent the submerged portion of the shredder, and an outlet spaced from the suction chamber and above the water surface. The framework and the shredder cooperate to define a sealed passageway extending between the suction chamber and the outlet.

Abstract: An aerial chain saw suspended from a helicopter by a non-rigid suspension system. A continuous chain extends around a chain saw bar, driven by a sprocket. Hydraulic lines to and from the helicopter provide hydraulic power to a hydraulic motor mounted at the upper end of the bar. In addition to the motor, a landing foot is mounted to the upper end of the bar. When the saw is landed, the helicopter slowly lowers the saw to the ground, a lower chain guard protects the lower of the saw, and the landing foot, positioned at right angles to the bar, protects the upper end of the saw. The non-rigid suspension system is made of non-twist material for keeping the cutting direction aligned with the nose of the aircraft. The suspension system is also non-conductive to electrically insulate the aircraft from the chain saw. The non-rigid nature of the suspension system aids landing and dampens vibrational forces transmitted from the chain saw.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting and cleaning brine shrimp eggs on the open water is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as comprising a buoyant support frame having a collection assembly operably disposed in relation thereto. A concentration member provides a means for collecting a naturally occurring mixture of brine shrimp eggs and debris floating at or near the surface of a body of water. The concentration member provides means for concentrating the mixture of brine shrimp eggs and debris into a concentrated egg/debris mud mixture having a general thickness of about 7.5 cm to 45 cm (3 inches to 18 inches). Engageably disposed in relation to the collection assembly, an extraction apparatus provides a means for transporting the concentrated egg/debris mud mixture introduced into the collection assembly to a filtering/cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A rake compactor and helical paddle wheel system for an aquatic harvester, the rake compactor of which includes a carriage or trolley movably and horizontally mounted by means of rollers on rails above the deck of the aquatic harvester and characterized by a dual endless chain drive system for selectively moving the trolley forwardly and rearwardly above the deck and a rake pivoted to the trolley for engaging, loading, compacting and unloading aquatic growth harvested by the aquatic harvester and deposited on the harvester deck. Dual, independently driven, helical paddle wheels serve to drive and maneuver the aquatic harvester.

Abstract: A system for aqua farming comprises at least one land mass; typically a plurality of approximately rectangular land masses with their sides typically at least about an order of magnitude longer than their ends and defining approximately parallel channels between them in an adjacent body of water. The water moves into the channels and, in a substantial region of each land mass, also moves through it from the channel on one side to the channel on the other side thereof. Filtering means such as sand, gravel, or a mixture of sand and gravel, block the movement through the land masses of most of the pieces of solid matter that may be present in the water, whose smallest cross section is larger than a predetermined size.

Abstract: Floating aquatic vegetation is harvest from the surface of a body of water. The vegetation is chopped or shredded when floating in situ on the body of water. The vegetation is then removed from the water surface. The chopping, shredding, tearing or other action breaks down the structure of the plants or subdivides them into smaller parts. This reduces the structure of the plant and allows it to be compacted to a much higher density mass so that it can be handled more readily. The apparatus for harvesting the vegetation includes a self-propelled vessel. A shredding head is carried on the vessel for shredding the vegetation as the platform advances thereacross and removing the shredded vegetation from the surface of the body of water. The vegetation shredding means are two rotors arranged in a shallow V arrangement across the front end of the vessel, with the point of the V directed forwardly, in the direction of travel. Rotors arranged in this way assist with the positive tracking of the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing water creepers, including a base, a crashing machine fixed on the base and a conveyor having a conveying belt surrounding a head shaft, a tail shaft and multiple intermediate shafts. The base is adapted to be located on a boat or a truck and the crashing machine includes a housing, a head portion formed with an entrance and a neck portion 180 degrees rotatably supporting the head portion. A set of twisting rollers and a set of mashing rollers are disposed in the housing for mashing the creepers. An exhausting funnel is disposed under the housing for discharging mashed creepers. A pair of fixing seats are disposed in front of the entrance for rotatably supporting the head shaft of the conveying belt. The conveying belt is disposed with multiple mesh-like taking spoons on a surface thereof and two propeller-like knife means are respectively disposed on two sides of the tail shaft of the conveying belt for previously cutting tangling creepers into small pieces.

Abstract: A conical floway culture system for cleansing water of pollutants is presented that has a downward slope between the central region and the outer edge and a wall for retaining water within the floway. The water-impervious bottom surface has a texture conducive for growing an algal turf. In use, water is admitted into the floway from the waterway and is permitted to flow over the algal turf. The algal turf bioassimilates the pollutants and thereby cleanses the water, and the water is discharged in a cleansed condition. Mature algal turf is harvested periodically by an angled plowing system having a notched, fixed, or rotating scraper that travels in a downward spiral path, pushing harvested algal turf downslope toward the outer edge.

Abstract: A floway for cleansing water of pollutants is presented that has an upstream weir wherein water to be cleansed is admitted, a downstream weir wherefrom water is discharged, and curbs extending between the weirs for retaining water along the sides. The bottom surface is specifically textured conducive for growing a bed of algae to form an algal turf thereon. The algae bioassimilates pollutants from the water and is harvested periodically by a vacuum system having a notched, rotating nozzle at the intake end. An ultraviolet reactor positioned at the downstream end is used to degrade volatile organic compounds. In addition, the water surface is disturbed to change the angle of incidence of light and focus additional light energy on the algae.

Abstract: An aquatic vegetation cutter for clearing dense aquatic vegetation from waterways uses a drive coupling and bearing assembly that eliminates the need for drive shafts to drive the cutting blades. The bearing is preferably capable of supporting a 90,000 pound load and supports the coupling close to the coupling hub where the cutting blade is attached. The bearing is housed in a watertight housing and is lubricated with grease. It is preferred that the output shaft of the motors driving the cutting blades be slanted slightly upward so that the lower part of the cutting blade is forward of the upper part of the cutting blade when the cutting blade is rotated, thereby reducing the load on the motor under normal operating conditions. The cutting blades have pitched fins sized so that each blade provides substantially the same amount of forward thrust for propulsion.

Abstract: The water craft of this invention is capable of efficiently reducing the level of aquatic plant infestation of waterways by mulching or otherwise finely chopping plants growing on the surface of the waterway as the water craft moves through the water. Preferably, the water craft is capable of rapidly moving through plant infested waters while rapidly mulching the infesting plants. In one embodiment, the water craft is a boat equipped with an intake port and an exhaust port, with at least one and preferably several arrays of cutting blades disposed between said intake and said exhaust ports such that any solid matter is mulched or cut into tiny pieces upon passage from said intake port on its way to said exhaust port, said intake port being disposed so as to allow plant infested water to enter the boat and come into contact with said array or arrays of cutting blades.

Abstract: A lake rake (1) or other aquatic tool that is drag-line operated in a body of water (4) between a first earth-anchored vehicle (9) with a motorized winch (8) at a distal position (15) and a second earth-anchored vehicle (11) with a motorized winch (10) and a loading means (12, 13) at a proximal shore (16) of the body of water. The lake rake or other aquatic tool is pulled with a positioning line (5) by the winch on the first earth-anchored vehicle against selective braking resistance of a drag line (6) operated by the winch on the second earth-anchored vehicle to position the lake rake or other aquatic tool in a raised position relative to the body of water at a desired position proximate the first earth-anchored vehicle. There the lake rake or other aquatic tool is dropped to a bottom (17) of the body of water by release of tension between the two winches.

Abstract: A plant gathering apparatus for the removal of aquatic plant growth on lake bottoms includes a mobile frame adapted for towing across a lake bottom, a raking mechanism, a towing assembly, an actuating mechanism and a cleaning mechanism. The raking mechanism mounts to the rear end of the frame to undergo pivotal movement between a raised inoperative position and a lowered position in which the raking mechanism is adapted to engage and gather aquatic plant growth as the mobile frame is towed across the lake bottom. The towing assembly mounts to the front end of the mobile frame for use in towing the mobile frame and is rotatable relative to the mobile. The actuating mechanism mounts to the mobile frame for moving the raking mechanism between the lowered and raised positions in response to rotation of the towing assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting aquatic vegetation is provided which substantially reduces the tendency to wrap or clog conventional cutterheads. A cutterhead of the present invention includes a plurality of radially oriented rotatable cutting members which cooperate with stationary cutting teeth to tear weeds and other aquatic vegetation. The rotatable cutting members are preferably spirally mounted along a smooth rotatable drum to inhibit draping of the vegetation during cutting. Recessed cutting teeth are located at the ends of the drum to further inhibit aquatic vegetation from passing through gaps between the drum and the cutterhead shroud. The shroud directs the cut vegetation to a submersible pump so that it may be pumped to a remote site.

Abstract: An Aquatic vegetation cutter adaptable to the bow of small work boats having rotatable, cultivator type disks on converging angles disposed along each side of the bow, extending partially below the water line, positioned in a manner whereby forward movement of the boat tends to rotate the disks thereby cutting and parting the vegetation allowing the boat to pass unobstructed, without drawing the cut vegetation into the propulsion unit intake. A second embodiment provides a method of power driving the disks in a forward or reverse direction.

Abstract: A device for removing undesirable aquatic vegetation from lake bottoms. The device includes a weed trap and an elongated handle pivotally mounted thereto. The trap is formed of mesh, screen, etc. and includes at least one flat side and an open top. A cutting bar is disposed along a top edge of the flat side. A releasable latch is provided to selectively latch the handle to the trap.

Abstract: An aquatic plant de-rooting apparatus includes a jib and a vertically adjustable hanger to be mounted on a vessel. The hanger carries two forwardly convergent rotors, each with a series of flat blades projecting radially from it. The rotors are independently driven by hydraulic motors. The rotors act to uproot the aquatic vegetation to remove the vegetation and inhibits its future growth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing unwanted vegetation (46). A fork (12) is provided having a vibratory motor (38) attached thereto. The fork is inserted into the rooting medium (48) surrounding the root mass (50) of the vegetation. While the fork is inserted therein, the fork is vibrated near the thixotropic level of the rooting medium, causing the rooting medium to liquefy. When the rooting medium is liquefied, the fork is raised upwardly, lifting the vegetation and corresponding root mass free of the rooting medium.

Abstract: An aquatic weed cutter has a continuous cable strung along the horizontal and vertical members of an inverted T-shaped cable frame. The cable is moved by a motor drive in a circuit between opposed sheaves on the ends of the horizontal and vertical members. The drive comprises a pair of engaging belts which hold the cable therebetween and drive it about the circuit. Cutting clips are attached at spaced intervals to the cable for cutting the stems of underwater plants.

Abstract: A weed cutter for cutting weeds and other vegetation from the floor of a body of water. The underwater weed cutter includes a generally closed housing having at a front opening in the housing behind which the cutting mechanism is located. The weeds and other vegetation to be cut enter the opening wherein they are exposed to a plurality of cutting blades, each cutting blade being rotatably attached to one of two cutting mechanisms. The cutting mechanisms are driven by an electric motor which is coupled to a plurality of sprockets forming a gear box. The cutting mechanisms are routed from the rear of the housing toward to the front near the centerline where they turn approximately 90 degrees in opposite directions and proceed parallel to the opening as the cutting blades attached thereto perform the cutting operation. Ingested weed and vegetation clippings and other debris are discharged from the housing at a rear opening.

Abstract: An aquatic-weed removing machine is provided with a paddle wheel equipped with a hinged plate connected to the peripheral edge of each paddle in a manner such that as the wheel rotates, individual plates pivot from an inward folded position at the edge of the paddles to a radially extended one, falling downward by gravity as the wheel sequentially places the paddles in the lower forward quandrant of their cycle. By a combination of centrifugal force and weight, the plates are thrown into pressing contact with the top of an underlying, tangentially moving conveyor belt upon which uncut weeds are laid by forward motion of the machine in the water, causing the weeds to be tightly held on the belt and to be pulled out by the roots as both the belt and the machine continue in their directions of motion.

Abstract: The mowing apparatus is made up of a long, narrow cutting assembly, a boat and two booms, one on each side of the boat, attaching the cutting assembly to the boat. There is a flotation tank at each end of the cutting assembly and the forward end of each tank is pivotally attached to the aft end of a boom. The forward ends of the booms are pivotally attached to the boat at about gunwale height and well toward the bow. All the pivotal connection axes are horizontal and perpendicular to the vertical plane through the centerline of the boat, allowing the cutting assembly to be raised and lowered between the surface of the water and the bottom of the body of water. The raising and lowering are done by allowing water into the tanks to cause the cutting assembly to sink and forcing the water out of the tanks with air to raise the cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is a sawtoothed blade operating between two sawtoothed plates. The end wise oscillations of the blade are powered by a pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: A weed remover for removing weeds and preventing the growth of new weeds on the bed of a body of water. The weed remover comprises a housing a motor, a drive chain, and a roller having a plurality of fins attached thereto. The motor drives the drive chain which in turn rotates the roller. When the roller is rotated, the fins dig into the bed of the body of water, causing the roller to roll along the bed. The housing is attached to a dock such that it can rotate about a generally vertical axis, permitting the roller to roll in an arc. The direction of rotation of the roller can be reversed such that the roller reciprocates over substantially the same path.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus includes an inlet capable of engaging a body of water, a first separating stage and a control device. The control device is operable to control the flow rate of water over the inlet to the first separating stage. The control device operates by adjusting either the first separating stage or the inlet to control the flow of water to the first separating stage.

Abstract: An aquatic plant uprooter for ridding a body of water of undesirable plantlife, composed of a hollow handle, a hollow discharge member connected at right angles to the handle, and a plurality of regularly spaced apart nozzles connected with the discharge member. A flexible hose connects a distal end of the handle to a water pump. The handle serves as a fluidic conduit for water from the pump to flow into the discharge member, which in turn, serves as a fluidic conduit for water from the handle to flow into the nozzles. The nozzles are structured, located and mutually spaced so that a jet of water emerges from each, which collectively disturbs the soil of a body of water so as to uproot aquatic plants by undermining their anchorage in the soil. The soil-freed plants may be directly accumulated in a net member attached to the handle and discharge member, or may be collected by use of a separate rake-net system.

Abstract: Aquatic plants are harvested from a body of water. The aquatic plants are gathered from the surface of the body of water and transported to a collection zone at a collection point on the body of water. The aquatic plants are then moved from the collection zone to an aquatic plant processing station.

Abstract: An underwater lake weed cutting apparatus which is adapted to be driven by an electric auger motor from the rear portion of a boat. The weed cutting apparatus includes an elongated drive shaft extending through an elongated tubular housing, wherein the drive shaft is driven by the motor to consequently reciprocate a sickle bar at a lower end thereof. A geared driving mechanism converts rotary motion of the drive shaft to a reciprocating motion of a sickle bar to reciprocate a first elongated toothed cutting blade with respect to an identical second toothed cutting blade to generate a scissors action. The scissors action of the sickle bar severs lake weeds as the apparatus is swept through the water proximate the lake bottom by a boat. The cutting apparatus can be adjusted to various depths of water to facilitate cutting lake weeds proximate the root structure near the lake bottom.

Abstract: A duckweed slurry is recovered from a body of water. The duckweed slurry includes duckweed and water from the body of water. The duckweed slurry is transported to a dewatering station. A majority of the water from the duckweed slurry is removed at the dewatering station. Water removed from the duckweed slurry is returned to the body of water.

Abstract: A light weight, portable aquatic vegetation cutter having a handle disposed at one end of a mounting rod, a motor at the other end of the mounting rod, the motor being disposed essentially centrally between two reciprocating type cutting blade assemblies ranging in opposite directions from the motor, the handle being adapted substantially to indicate the horizontal disposition of the cutting blade assemblies and permitting their realignment relative to the direction in which aquatic vegetation cutting takes place, the position of the motor with the cutting blade assemblies, being adjustable in two directions relative to the vertical, that are perpendicular to each other, a boat mounting attachable from the mounting rod, providing three additional directions of yieldable freedom of motion, audible and visual means for signaling a problem in cutting ability of the aquatic vegetation cutter, a switch enabling momentary reversal of the polarity of DC current to the motor, for freeing matter caught between the too

Abstract: A harvester for harvesting aquatic plants includes a rotatable gate. The rotatable gate subdivides a containment area which is used to hold harvested aquatic plants. The rotatable gate acts to compress harvested aquatic plants and increases harvest capacity.

Abstract: An aquatic plant uprooter for ridding a body of water of undesirable plantlife, composed of a hollow handle, a hollow discharge member connected at right angles to the handle, and a plurality of regularly spaced apart nozzles connected with the discharge member. A flexible hose connects a distal end of the handle to a water pump. The handle serves as a fluidic conduit for water from the pump to flow into the discharge member, which in turn, serves as a fluidic conduit for water from the handle to flow into the nozzles. The nozzles are structured and mutually spaced so that a jet of water emerges from each, which collectively disturbs the soil of a body of water so as to uproot aquatic plants by undermining their anchorage in the soil. The soil-freed plants may be directly accumulated in a net member attached to the handle and discharge member, or may be collected by use of a separate rake-net system.

Abstract: An underwater weed cutter comprises a generally W-shaped object which is cut out of a plate or sheet of metal and is configured similar to two scythes whose opposite ends are joined together to form a unitary object which has a line attached to it to provide for pulling it along the bottom of a body of water to shear off and collect underwater weeds. The weed cutters are configured such that the outside or convex boundary of one of them is complementary in shape to the inside or concave boundary of another of them so that there is no metal waste developed between the cutters when they are being cut from the plate.

Abstract: A weed removing apparatus suitable for grubbing weeds from a lake bottom. The apparatus includes a land-based unit including a combustion engine driving an hydraulic pump, and a separate submersible unit including a hydraulic motor which is driven by the hydraulic pump of the land-based unit via an elongated hose. The submersible unit incluldes a rotatable drum including several tines extending radially outward therefrom for grubbing weeds and which is driven by the hydraulic motor. The submersible unit includes wheels which are propelled by the hydraulic motor. A handle extending from the submersible unit provides a steering mechanism to the operator for guiding the submersible unit about the lake bottom in the area desired to be cleared of weeds. The land-based unit further includes a take-up reel for storing a substantial length of hose when not in use.

Abstract: An aquatic plant cutting apparatus comprises a first fixed edge having a ribbon-like shape and having a cutting edge portion at its edge and at least one rotary edge juxtaposed along the front edge portion of the first fixed edge, and an aquatic plant recovery boat is constituted by fitting the aquatic plant cutting apparatus to floating means having a propeller through a connection member.

Abstract: A plastic tube serving as a rake head has teeth disposed along its undersurface and a pair of spaced-apart aluminum tubes. The plastic tube is injected with buoyant filler material to make the rake floatable. A rope is secured to the outer end of one aluminum tube, extends to form a loop, and is secured at its other end to the outer and second of the aluminum tube. An inner handle bar is slidably disposed between the looped rope outward of the aluminum tubes, and an outer handle is disposed at the end of the loop, allowing the user to retrieve weeds from water by first using the outer handle bar, and to remove the weeds by using the inner handle bar.

Abstract: An articulated-boom hoist is attachable to a motorized vehicle and structured to transfer an aquatic rake and rake float between a carrier and a body of water to be cleaned of aquatic plants. The aquatic rake is placed on the rake float. The rake float on the body of water is propelled to a select distance from the motorized vehicle. The aquatic rake is then removed from the rake float, dropped into the body of water and pulled towards the motorized vehicle with a winch and winch line attached to the motorized vehicle which is anchored appropriately in resistance to the winching action. Aquatic plants are uprooted from a bed of the body of water thereby. The articulated-boom hoist is then employed to lift the aquatic rake with aquatic plants gathered thereon from the body of water and position it above a transport vehicle or other dump site. The aquatic rake is tilted appropriately to cause aquatic plants to drop from it.

Abstract: A semi-submersible flotsam harvesting vessel is provided which has gunwale floats and a hinged bow section and which cooperates with a floating receptacle to unload the harvest. The method of harvesting includes swamping the vessel by lifting the bow section to float the flotsam into the hold, closing the bow and energizing the motor to put the hull on plane to drain the water from the flotsam for high speed travel to the floating receptacle where the vessel is again swamped to float the flotsam into the container as the vessel withdraws with bow open.

Abstract: A new scallop net is disclosed that uses a lightweight frame that is fitted with a dive plate that produces a downward force on the frame and ensures that the frame remains on the bottom. Instead of a heavy metal basket, the device includes a standard skein netting made of nylon of similar material. The net has a splitting strap in the middle of the bag and is fitted with a cod end and a cod end release, which opens the bag when the strap or release is pulled.Because the bag is fitted with a cod end, the steel frame does not have to be pulled onto the boat. The dangerous frame can be raised on a boom and left overhanging the boat. The splitting strap can then be used to pull the light net bag aboard, the cod end release can be pulled and the catch released. Once emptied, the cod end can be re-secured, the release mechanism can be reset, and the net thrown overboard. The frame end can then be released back into the sea for another run. Two bags can be dragged in this manner for optimum collection.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for water harvesting wherein a separator grating is lowered into the water to hold trash below the harvestable berries that are then caused by their buoyancy to rise through the immersed separator. The berries thus separated from the debris are gathered in various ways, such as the conventional loading via a conveyor, removing the berries by lifting the separator grating after the apertures of the separator have been reduced, or using a second grating with smaller openings. The method can be carried out in a reciprocating cycle or using a continuous rotating movement of the separator that might be part of a band scoop, mechanically powered scoop, or rolling harvesting apparatus. Provisions are also provided to simultaneously remove the debris separated from the berries from the flooding water. The method and apparatus might also be used in cleaning the harvest in a flooded tank on the dike.

Abstract: A weeder capable of removing large and small sized weeds from inland waterways is arranged for towing off the back of a row boat as well as for manual operation. The weeder is in the form of a rectangular expanded metal section pivotally attached to towing ropes at opposite ends. The sides of the expanded metal section are sheared to form a V-groove or slot configuration for trapping the weeds along the bed of the waterway where the roots meet the weed stalk. The expanded metal perforations allow the weeds to be carried to the surface of the water while allowing the water to escape between the perforations. One side of the expanded metal section is provided with an additional expanded metal section to form V-grooves of smaller width to remove the smaller weeds.

Abstract: A harvester for plants and weeds, particularly aquatic plants, pulls the plants by winding them onto a rotating, endless cable. Tension in the cable is controlled, and an operative portion of the cable is positionable for varying its height and angle to the horizontal. The harvester is mountable on a boat having an adjustable freeboard and multiple, individually driven, retractable paddle wheels provide maximum maneuverability during use and compactness during transport.

Abstract: A submarine vegetation cutter is disclosed, driven by a direct current electrical motor adapted to drive two reciprocating type cutting blade assemblies which are disposed in a substantially opposed relationship relative to each other, and means for transmitting the driving force of the motor to the blade assemblies, and means for reversing the polarity of the direct current to the motor. There is also included a level switch for preventing electrical power from being conducted to the motor when the vegetation cutter is held at a more than predetermined angle from the vertical.