A workboat includes at least two hulls, at least one work tool, a body, and at least one carrier frame which is fastened on the body, between a bow and a stern of the workboat. The at least one work tool is arranged on the at least one carrier frame. A range of movement of at least one of the at least one carrier frame and the at least one work tool, in a transverse direction of the workboat, is located centrally with respect to the workboat and between the at least two hulls which extend in a longitudinal direction. In an event of a position change during a work procedure of the at least one work tool, a position of a center of gravity of the workboat varies by at most 15% with respect to a boat length of the workboat.

A device and a method for picking and collecting Brasenia schreberi based on a machine vision. The device includes a supporting mechanical arm, a collection device, two working mechanical arms, a picking manipulator, a grasping manipulator, a control box, and a visual system. The supporting mechanical arm is fixed on a front end of a boat; the two working mechanical arms are fixed on a front end of the supporting mechanical arm; the picking manipulator and the grasping manipulator are mounted on tail ends of the two working mechanical arms, respectively; and the collection device is fixed on the boat; the visual system determines a location of Brasenia schreberi and sends the location to the control box; the control box controls the two working mechanical arms, the grasping manipulator, and the picking manipulator to complete the grasping and picking of Brasenia schreberi; and the collection device collects Brasenia schreberi.

A device and a method for picking and collecting Brasenia schreberi based on a machine vision. The device includes a supporting mechanical arm, a collection device, two working mechanical arms, a picking manipulator, a grasping manipulator, a control box, and a visual system. The supporting mechanical arm is fixed on a front end of a boat; the two working mechanical arms are fixed on a front end of the supporting mechanical arm; the picking manipulator and the grasping manipulator are mounted on tail ends of the two working mechanical arms, respectively; and the collection device is fixed on the boat; the visual system determines a location of Brasenia schreberi and sends the location to the control box; the control box controls the two working mechanical arms, the grasping manipulator, and the picking manipulator to complete the grasping and picking of Brasenia schreberi; and the collection device collects Brasenia schreberi.

The present invention relates to an underwater harvesting system (1) for harvesting zooplankton or mesoplagic fishes, comprising an underwater vehicle (2) for being lowered into the sea and towed behind a surface vessel (3), comprising a housing (21) provided with an inlet (22) through which zooplankton-containing-fluid may flow; a hose (4) mounted on the underwater vehicle and in fluid communication with the inlet, the hose being adapted to secure and fluidly connect the underwater vehicle to the surface vessel; and pumping means for drawing in a zooplankton-containing-fluid through the inlet in the underwater vehicle and for pumping the zooplankton-containing-fluid through the hose to the surface vessel. The invention further relates to a method for harvesting zooplankton or other marine organisms.

A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.

A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.

A cutting device for coupling to a water vessel propelling device. The cutting device comprises a base extending between a proximal end and a distal end and is coupled to a shaft of the water vessel propelling device. An upper arm is coupled to the base. A lower arm is coupled to the base. A track extends along the base. A blade slidably engages within the track for displacing between the upper arm and the lower arm. An actuator displaces the blade relative to the track. A cutting edge is on the blade for severing a foreign object that is positioned between the upper arm and the lower arm of the base.

A cutting device for coupling to a water vessel propelling device. The cutting device comprises a base extending between a proximal end and a distal end and is coupled to a shaft of the water vessel propelling device. An upper arm is coupled to the base. A lower arm is coupled to the base. A track extends along the base. A blade slidably engages within the track for displacing between the upper arm and the lower arm. An actuator displaces the blade relative to the track. A cutting edge is on the blade for severing a foreign object that is positioned between the upper arm and the lower arm of the base.

Apparatus and method for harvesting biomass from a dead zone in a body of water includes structure and/or function whereby, preferably, at least one guide float is configured to float below the water surface. At least one support structure is configured to be coupled to the bottom beneath water, and is configured to support a substantially rigid frame within the dead zone. A main funnel is coupled to (i) the at least one guide float and (ii) the substantially rigid frame within the dead zone, and is configured to collect descending biomass and funnel it toward a lower funnel that is coupled to the bottom of the main funnel. A collection canister is disposed adjacent the lower funnel and is configured to store the descending biomass. Hauling structure is coupled to the guide float and is configured to haul the collection canister from the lower funnel to the surface.

Apparatus and method for harvesting biomass from a dead zone in a body of water includes structure and/or function whereby, preferably, at least one guide float is configured to float below the water surface. At least one support structure is configured to be coupled to the bottom beneath water, and is configured to support a substantially rigid frame within the dead zone. A main funnel is coupled to (i) the at least one guide float and (ii) the substantially rigid frame within the dead zone, and is configured to collect descending biomass and funnel it toward a lower funnel that is coupled to the bottom of the main funnel. A collection canister is disposed adjacent the lower funnel and is configured to store the descending biomass. Hauling structure is coupled to the guide float and is configured to haul the collection canister from the lower funnel to the surface.