摘要 |
Apparatus for dredging shellfish from the bottom of a body of water includes a source of pressurized water, at least one water jet (22) arranged to receive water from the pressurized water source and direct it at shellfish-containing sediments, sorting plates for receiving the shellfish-containing sediments excavated by the at least one water jet and separating the shellfish from the sediments, a collection chamber (32) for receiving the separated shellfish, and dual lifting compartments, one of which is connected to the pressurized water source for lifting shellfish from the collection chamber and entraining the shellfish for transport to the surface, and the other of which is arranged to received pressurized air for increasing the transport speed and lifting power while cushioning the shellfish as they are transported to the surface. |