A crab trap assembly for capturing crabs includes a cylinder that may be inserted into a bottom of a body of water. The cylinder is substantially hollow to capture a crab when the crab moves along the bottom of the body of water and falls into the cylinder. The cylinder is selectively removed from the body of water to harvest the crabs in the cylinder.

A crab trap assembly for capturing crabs includes a cylinder that may be inserted into a bottom of a body of water. The cylinder is substantially hollow to capture a crab when the crab moves along the bottom of the body of water and falls into the cylinder. The cylinder is selectively removed from the body of water to harvest the crabs in the cylinder.

The invention is a system comprising a wire cage trap and wire-cage enclosed lifting subsystem. The two systems are attached and submerged together. When ready to be retrieved, a sound control signal is conveyed to the system. The sound control signal is converted to an electric control signal, which enables inflation of a buoyancy bladder and bringing the wire-cage trap and wire-cage lifting subsystems to the surface. The invention may comprise sensors in the lifting system which can provide information about valve on-off state, gas pressure, depth and location. That information is converted from electric to sound signals and generated through the water.

The invention is a system comprising a wire cage trap and wire-cage enclosed lifting subsystem. The two systems are attached and submerged together. When ready to be retrieved, a sound control signal is conveyed to the system. The sound control signal is converted to an electric control signal, which enables inflation of a buoyancy bladder and bringing the wire-cage trap and wire-cage lifting subsystems to the surface. The invention may comprise sensors in the lifting system which can provide information about valve on-off state, gas pressure, depth and location. That information is converted from electric to sound signals and generated through the water.

A pressure activated time-delayed release device and method. The device includes a body having a drive chamber and a compression chamber disposed therein, a drive piston disposed within the drive chamber of the body, and a compression piston disposed within the compression chamber of the body. A throttle mechanism is disposed between the drive piston and the compression piston. The throttle mechanism controls a release of viscous fluid from the drive chamber into the compression chamber. The drive piston and compression piston are connected so as to cause the compression piston to move substantially simultaneously with the drive piston to compress a compressible element disposed within the compression chamber. The device moves from an un-actuated state to an actuated state when the device is exposed to a predetermined water pressure for a predetermined period of time.

A magnetic release mechanism for use with underwater fishing equipment includes a base plate having a slot for receiving a buckle, and a recess for receiving a release plate. A permanent magnet positioned proximate the recess generates a first magnetic field for magnetically coupling the release plate to the base plate. An electromagnetic coil positioned proximate the permanent magnet is configured to selectively generate a second magnetic field when energized. A magnetic field sensor is positioned proximate the recess. A controller is operatively coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The controller may be configured to monitor the magnetic field sensor to detect the presence of a third magnetic field and, in response to detecting the presence of a third magnetic field, output a signal indicating that the release plate is magnetically secured within the recess.

The invention is directed towards a retrieval line that is adapted to help users retrieve gear from the floor of a water body, such as commercial fishing traps on the ocean floor, and that is configured to reduce the risks of damaging entanglements with marine life.

The invention is directed towards a retrieval line that is adapted to help users retrieve gear from the floor of a water body, such as commercial fishing traps on the ocean floor, and that is configured to reduce the risks of damaging entanglements with marine life.

A system stacking and retrieving a crab pot onboard a vessel includes a crane having an end and operable to position the end at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck, and an end effector at the end of the crane, operable to hold a crab pot. The crane is used to grab a crab pot stored on the deck and position the pot on a pot launcher, or to grab a pot on the pot launcher and position the pot on the vessel's deck to secure the pot onboard. The system also includes a connector operable to couple a crab pot with another crab pot, and a controller operable to direct the movement of the crane to position the end of the crane at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck. With the system's controller the crane may be automatically controlled and directed without requiring a deckhand to manually direct the crane to the correct position on the vessel's deck. And, with the connector each crab pot may be secured to an adjacent crab pot during storage of the pots without the need of a deckhand. Thus, the system makes a once very dangerous job for deckhands on a crabbing vessel much safer.

A system stacking and retrieving a crab pot onboard a vessel includes a crane having an end and operable to position the end at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck, and an end effector at the end of the crane, operable to hold a crab pot. The crane is used to grab a crab pot stored on the deck and position the pot on a pot launcher, or to grab a pot on the pot launcher and position the pot on the vessel's deck to secure the pot onboard. The system also includes a connector operable to couple a crab pot with another crab pot, and a controller operable to direct the movement of the crane to position the end of the crane at a plurality of locations on or near a vessel's deck. With the system's controller the crane may be automatically controlled and directed without requiring a deckhand to manually direct the crane to the correct position on the vessel's deck. And, with the connector each crab pot may be secured to an adjacent crab pot during storage of the pots without the need of a deckhand. Thus, the system makes a once very dangerous job for deckhands on a crabbing vessel much safer.