A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.

De-trenching apparatus (100) for extracting a buried line, such as a cable or pipeline, is disclosed. The de-trenching apparatus comprises a channel (112) configured to receive a buried line to be extracted, the channel comprising a first flared opening (114) at a front end of the de-trenching apparatus and a second flared opening (115) at the rear end of the de-trenching apparatus, the first and second flared openings each having a curved surface (111) configured to support the line during extraction, and material removal means for removing material from around the buried line ahead of the de-trenching apparatus.

An excavator bucket has several embodiments adapted for use underwater. A first embodiment includes a front lip and a heel section, with suction ports through the heel section. Another embodiment includes a grated or skeleton bucket with apertures communicating with a suction hopper having suction ports. Yet another embodiment includes a drum grate rotating inside a fitted shroud offset from and conforming to a swept volume of the rotating grate, with the shroud having suction ports, and another embodiment includes a first hopper with rotating arbors forming a crushing screen, communicating with a second suction hopper having one or more suction ports.

Device for removal of sediment from inside piles being at least partly immersed in water, comprising an outer guiding unit arranged to be temporarily positioned on the top of a pile. The outer guiding unit envelopes at least one inner dredging unit being arranged to be lowered from within the outer guiding unit, the inner dredging unit at its lower end exhibiting movable jet nozzles arranged to loosen sediment. The inner dredging unit furthermore comprises a central passage which is connected to a discharge hose arranged to transport loosened sediment therefrom.

Device for removal of sediment from inside piles being at least partly immersed in water, comprising an outer guiding unit arranged to be temporarily positioned on the top of a pile. The outer guiding unit envelopes at least one inner dredging unit being arranged to be lowered from within the outer guiding unit, the inner dredging unit at its lower end exhibiting movable jet nozzles arranged to loosen sediment. The inner dredging unit furthermore comprises a central passage which is connected to a discharge hose arranged to transport loosened sediment therefrom.

Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and method for seabed resources collection. The apparatus comprises a main module and a plurality of seabed resources collecting devices releasably attached to the main module, wherein the main module and the plurality of collecting devices are configured to be launched from a surface vessel towards a seabed; the main module includes a control module which is configured to determine a mining path for each of the collecting devices based on characteristics of the seabed, control each of the collecting devices to collect seabed resources along the determined mining path and control transfer of the seabed resources collected by the collecting devices, wherein each collecting device is configured to be released from the main module after the apparatus is launched, and to collect seabed resources along the mining path determined by the main module after being released.

A plug device for covering a cavity excavated in the ground. The plug device includes a head defined by a plate having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, wherein the plate has a size that corresponds to a size of the excavated cavity. The plug device also includes a plurality of anchor members extending axially away from the planar lower surface, and that are configured to secure the plug device to the cavity.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for laying a pipe in a trench, the apparatus comprising a placement assembly (2) for placing the pipe in the trench; a compactor mechanism (3) for compacting of the aggregate about the pipe.

A dragging apparatus has a carriage body. The carriage body has at least one attachment portion. The attachment portion is configured to connect the carriage body to a drag barge. At least one ripper shank is disposed on the carriage body. The ripper shank extends downwardly from the carriage body. A method for operating a dragging apparatus includes providing a barge and a dragging apparatus, and then lowering the dragging apparatus to a floor or bottom of a body of water to agitate the floor or bottom.

A collection tank for use in a vacuum operated earth reduction system, the collection tank comprising a closed first end, an open second end defining a tank sealing flange and a body extending between the closed first end and the open second end. An internal chamber defined by the body, the closed first end and the open second end has a door coupled to the open second end and is configured to releasably seal the open second end. An automated door closer is coupled to a center of the door, wherein the automated door closer provides a closing force at the center of the door so that the closing force is equally distributed about a periphery of the door to seal the door against the tank sealing flange.