Ships – Anchoring arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-22
2001-05-15
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Ships
Anchoring arrangement
C114S294000, C114S311000, C119S207000, C119S208000, C119S204000, C119S234000, C119S238000, C119S239000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230646
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of habitation and propagation of coastal and pelagic fish species and sea flora. More particular, it pertains to a novel farming apparatus for use in deep ocean, away from land, ocean vessels and other potentially damaging forces on which to grow bi-valves and kelp.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Coastal and pelagic fish and flora are under constant attack from man and his forces. Sewage pollution is a fact in virtually every part of every coastline in all parts of the world from Antarctica to the North Pole and in all ports of call. Oil and other materials spilled, leaked or dumped from ocean-going vessels and dropped from airplanes has caused deterioration of virtually all sea life including kelp and other ocean-grown plants. If that were not enough, over-fishing, poaching, and miles-long gill netting have reduced many species of fish to near-extinct level. What few attempts at supporting sea life has been timid at best and appears not to be able to undue what has and still is being done to the sea.
As to bi-valve populations, some effort has and is being made to provide support structures in small bays, harbors and inlets on which to grow clams, oysters, and other such animals. Most of this work is plagued by pollution of the water by those living and working nearby these facilities. Some other efforts have been made to raise kelp and other such marine plant life in special holding pens for later replanting in the ocean, however, there is not much incentive to spend funds to raise such crops.
Virtually all such rehabilitation efforts has been confined to shore facilities because of such obvious factors: ease of access to the facilities by road; less expensive land-based structural facilities rather than floating facilities; and, easier access to a useable workforce. Other factors, such as ship traffic and adverse weather patterns, further prompt development of sea life repair facilities away from the open water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a mid-water ocean subsurface substrate which is designed to grow stationary marine bi-valves and kelp. The structure is also intended to provide an environment for the habitation and propagation of coastal and pelagic fish species. It is a deep ocean, mid-water marine fanning concept and is anchored to the ocean floor and suspended no less than in 80 feet or so of sea water at low tide. Thus, it lies below the ship traffic and also cannot be seen by those on the surface. While it is accessible from the surface of the ocean, it will lie off-shore a sufficient distance to discourage pilferage and poaching. It is designed to lie off the 3-mile coastal zone limit in waters 100 feet or greater. It is moored in place mid-water at least 80 feet below the ocean surface at low tide using buoyancy tanks rather than being a fixed structure on the ocean bottom or suspended from the surface. The key to the invention is that it is a bottom-up design and not a top-down design suspended by surface floats. It is thus removed from the greatest threat of pollution from shore and is not a threat to vessel navigation.
The invention is a deep ocean, mid-water farming apparatus, for propagating and purging bi-valves and ocean plants including kelp and seaweed, comprising a plurality of air-containing tanks arranged in a frame and including a lower frame element and an upper frame element, a device for anchoring the tanks in deep water and including connectors to connect the anchor to the lower frame element for holding the device in deep water, a plurality of upwardly directed elongated tubular substrates, on which to grow the bi-valves, the substrates arranged about a vertically-oriented center strut, each substrate defined by a first, lower terminal end, for connection to the upper frame element, and a second, upper terminal end, spaced-apart from the first end and, a top hat centered about the strut for connecting to the upper ends of the tubular substrates for holding them in a fixed configuration thereabout.
Accordingly, the main object of the invention a means of raising ocean bi-valves and kelp in a controlled environment that lends itself to efficient operation and high growth rates. Other objects of this invention include a means to promote new growth of marine life using simple, ruggedly designed structures that are positioned in deep ocean, below ship traffic and outside most areas of pollution; a means of promoting bi-valve growth that is easily harvested and made available for regrowth; a means of promoting kelp production that is also easily harvested and made available for re-use; and, a structure that is easily manufactured, from low-cost materials, easily positioned in the desired area and easily attended.
These and other objects of the invention will become more clear when one reads the following specification, taken together with the drawings that are attached hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventor may be gleaned from a fair reading of the claims that conclude this specification.
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Berry Michael
Johnson Jeremy
Morano S. Joseph
Murphey John J.
Olson Lars A.
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