A submersible device and uses thereof

Abstract

A submersible device (10) for in-situ cleaning of biofouling from a line (20) submerged in a body of water, the submersible device (10) comprising: a drive unit (15) configured to drive the submersible device along the line, and a blade (14) configured to strip the biofouling from the line (20) as the submersible device (10) moves along the line (20). The submersible device (10) also includes a collector (38) to collect the biofouling from the line (20).

Description

A SUBMERSIBLE DEVICE AND USES THEREOFRelated Applications

[0001] This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.2025900099 filed on 14 January 2025, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference.Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a submersible device for cleaning submerged infrastructure, e.g., mooring lines.Background

[0003] Biofouling is the accumulation of sedentary and semi -sedentary microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on submerged artificial surfaces in marine or estuarine environments. In aquaculture systems, biofouling can occur on submerged infrastructure such as nets and mooring lines, which increases the mass of the aquaculture system leading to, for example, fatigue damage and reduced structural integrity. In particular, the weight of biofouling attached to a mooring line can increase the tension force in the line, which may result in premature failure of the mooring line. Typically, when a mooring line fails, it will sink to the seabed resulting in damage to floats and other equipment. Retrieving failed mooring lines and any ancillary equipment is costly, such that periodic cleaning and / or removal of biofouling from submerged infrastructure is necessary to reduce the risk of premature failure and damage.

[0004] Existing methods of removing biofouling from mooring lines include the manual removal of biofouling using a large vessel and multiple crew members to lift the line to the surface to place a shackle or other ring-like object around the mooring line, then using a smaller vessel to drag the shackle along the line thereby removing the biofouling material. Such methods require large vessels, heavy machinery such as cranes and winches, all of which make the cleaning process slow, labor-intensive, expensive, and potentially dangerous. Alternative methods include the use of high-pressure water to remove biofouling from submerged infrastructure. One example of such a method involves dragging submerged infrastructure onshore so that an operator can direct high-pressure water towards the biofouling and thereby remove it. This is a time-consuming and expensive process. Another example involves the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is propelled by propellers and can direct high-pressure water towards the submerged infrastructurewithout needing to remove the infrastructure from the water. In addition to being very expensive, RO Vs require large power units for their operation — e.g. approximately 300 horsepower may be required to power the propulsion and cleaning systems of an ROV. None of the aforementioned existing methods provide a means for capturing the removed biofouling material, which is typically allowed to fall to the seabed or be disposed of in the adjacent marine environment. Not only can this be damaging to the environment, failure to properly dispose of the biofouling material can also breach environmental protection laws. It follows, therefore, that there remains an urgent need to develop new devices and methods for the removal of biofouling from submerged infrastructure, e.g., mooring lines.Summary

[0005] In an aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a submersible device for in-situ cleaning of biofouling from a line submerged in a body of water, the submersible device comprising: a drive unit configured to drive the submersible device along the line; and a blade configured to strip the biofouling from the line as the submersible device moves along the line.

[0006] The submersible device may further comprise a frame configured to support the drive unit and / or for carrying the blade. In some embodiments, the blade is attachable to or provided on part of the frame.

[0007] In some embodiments, the drive unit comprises a plurality of rollers, the rollers being configured to grip the line and drive the submersible device along the line. A first roller of the plurality of rollers may be pivotably connected to the frame via a pivot arm and a second roller of the plurality of rollers may be connected to the frame via a fixed arm.

[0008] In some embodiments, the pivot arm is movable between a deployed position, in which the first roller engages the line, and a retracted position.

[0009] In some embodiments, the submersible device further comprises one or more hydraulic actuators that are arranged to move the pivot arm between the deployed position and the retracted position.

[0010] In some embodiments, in the deployed position, the pivot arm may be biased such that the first roller pushes against the line. In some embodiments, in the deployed position, the firstroller engages a first side of the line and the second roller engages a second side of the line thereby securing the line therebetween.

[0011] In some embodiments, the rollers comprise engagement elements to increase friction between the rollers and the line. The engagement elements may be provided in the form of ridges, teeth and / or grooves. The rollers may be driven by a hydraulic motor.

[0012] In some embodiments, the submersible device further comprises at least one further roller configured to engage the line. The plurality of rollers may comprise a first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers. The first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers may each include a first roller pivotably connected to the frame via a pivot arm and a second roller connected to the frame via a fixed arm.

[0013] In some embodiments, the blade protrudes from the frame. The blade may be disposed proximate a first end of the frame. The submersible device may further comprise a second blade disposed proximate a second end of the frame.

[0014] In some embodiments, the submersible device further comprises a supplementary blade disposed proximate the first roller in the or each pair of rollers. The supplementary blade may be biased towards the line so that it pushes against the line when the submersible device is in-situ.

[0015] In some embodiments, the submersible device further comprises a rotating blade connected to the frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the submersible device is configured to move both forwards and backwards along the line.

[0017] The submersible device may further comprise at least one buoyancy tank. The buoyancy tank may be a variable-buoyancy tank.

[0018] The submersible device may further comprise at least one camera configured to monitor the line as the device moves along the line. The submersible may further comprise a collector configured to collect biofouling material dislodged from the line as the device moves along the line. The collector may be a net.

[0019] The submersible device may further comprise a control unit that is locatable above the surface of the body of water, from which an operator can remotely control the submersible device.

[0020] The submersible device may further comprise an umbilical that connects the submersible device with the control unit to provide services between the submersible device and the control unit.

[0021] In another aspect disclosed herein, there is provided a method of cleaning biofouling from a line submerged in a body of water, the method comprising: lowering the submersible device of the aspect disclosed above into a body of water within which a line is located; and driving the submersible device along the line to strip biofouling from the line.

[0022] In some embodiments, the line is a mooring line. The method of cleaning biofouling from a line may further comprise a step of collecting the biofouling in a collector that is attached to or forms part of the submersible device.

[0023] While components and method steps will be described below when used in combination with each other in the embodiments disclosed herein, it is to be understood by a skilled person that some aspects of the disclosure are equally suitable to be used interchangeably between one or more embodiments and / or suitable for use as standalone aspects of the disclosure that can be individually incorporated into other devices and methods not disclosed herein.

[0024] As used herein, reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, or inner and outer, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0025] The terms “about” and “approximately” are understood to refer to a range of quality, level, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, location, size, amount, weight or length that a person skilled in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value or quality in the context of achieving the same function or result. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 10%. Therefore, about 50% means in the range of 45%-55%. Numerical ranges recited herein by endpoints include all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, and 5). It is also to be understood that all numbers and fractions thereof are presumed to be modified by the term “about”.

[0026] As used herein, the term "substantially" may be used merely to indicate an intention that the term it qualifies should not always be read literally and that the word can encompass equivalent terms such as “sufficiently”, “mostly” or "near enough”.

[0027] Throughout this specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. By “consisting of’ is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of’. Thus, the phrase “consisting of’ indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present.

[0028] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the example methods and materials are described herein.Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a submersible cleaning device according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0031] Figure 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a submersible device according to an embodiment disclosed herein, wherein pivot arms of the device are shown in a deployed position.

[0032] Figure 3 is a simplified schematic diagram of the submersible device of Figure 4, wherein the pivot arms are shown in a retracted position.

[0033] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of a submersible device according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0034] Figure 5 is a rear view of the submersible device shown in Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the submersible device shown in Figure 1 with the buoyancy tanks removed.

[0036] Figure 7 is a zoomed view of the front of the submersible device shown in Figure 1.

[0037] Figure 8 is a side view of the submersible device shown in Figure 1 mounted to a supporting frame on a vessel.

[0038] Figure 9 is a zoomed view of the side of the submersible device shown in Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 10 is an in-situ environmental view of the submersible device shown in Figure 1 with a collector.

[0040] Figure 11 is an in-situ environmental view of the submersible device shown in Figure 1 connected to a vessel by an umbilical.

[0041] Figure 12 is a flow chart that schematically outlines a method of cleaning a mooring line according to an embodiment disclosed herein.Detailed Description

[0042] The present disclosure is predicated, in part, on the development of submersible devices that are adapted for in-situ cleaning of biofouling from submerged infrastructure, particularly mooring lines. Unlike previous methods for cleaning submerged infrastructure, the submersible device disclosed herein can beneficially reduce labor and equipment requirements. For example, cleaning operations using the submersible device can be conducted by a single, or two operators. Moreover, the submersible device can be driven by a low powered motor (e.g., a 13 -horsepower motor), which significantly reduces the costs associated with fuel when compared to existing cleaning methods. The device can also speed up the cleaning process so that it is feasible to perform more frequent cleaning and therefore reduce the risk of premature failures. Cleaning methods that include the use of the submersible device disclosed herein also reduce the risk of injury for operators since it negates the need for heavy vessels and heavy lifting equipment such as winches and cranes. The submersible device disclosed herein also provides a means for collecting biofouling material that is dislodged during the cleaning operation. This can reduce the environmental impact of aquaculture operations and allow for the collection of potentially saleable products (e.g., mussels).

[0043] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present disclosure provides a submersible device 10 for in-situ cleaning of biofouling 22 from a line 20 submerged in a body of water (e.g., a lake, river, ocean, etc.). The device 10 includes a drive unit 15 configured to drive the submersible device 10 along the line 20, and a blade 14 configured to strip the biofouling from the line 20 as the submersible device 10 moves along the line 20. In an embodiment, the drive unit 15 comprises a plurality of rollers configured to grip the line 20 and drive the submersible along the line 20. The plurality of rollers may be provided in a pair of rollers that includes a first roller 16 and a second roller 17. The plurality of rollers may further comprise a second pair of rollers 18, 19. It is to be understood that the drive unit 15 is not limited to an arrangement that includes rollers and may take other forms, such as a pulley system or a propulsion system that includes a propeller.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1, the submersible device 10 may include a frame 12 and a blade 14. The frame 12 may be configured to support the drive unit 15 and / or for carrying the blade 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade 14 is part of the frame 12. In other embodiments, the blade 14 can be attached to the frame 12 (e.g. the blade may be welded to the frame, or removable from the frame). In these embodiments, the blade 14 may protrude from the frame, as shown in Figure 5. The blade is required to strip biofouling form submerged infrastructure without damaging the infrastructure. Therefore, in an embodiment, the blade 14 is blunt and has a V-shaped or U-shaped form so that it at least partially encircles the line 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the blade 14 is a U-shaped portion of the frame 12, which is configured to contact the line 20 in use. In embodiments, the blade 14 protrudes from the frame and is inclined at an angle so that the force imparted by the blade 14 on the biofouling 22 as the device 10 moves along the line 20 has a component in a radially outwards direction from the line (e.g., in a similar manner to a snow plough removing snow from a surface). In other words, the blade 14 is configured to get under, or lift, the biofouling 22 as it moves along the line. In an embodiment, the blade 14 is included at an angle that is substantially 45 degrees from the vertical. It is understood that the blade 14 may take many forms while still effectively stripping biofouling 22 as the device 10 moves along a given piece of submerged infrastructure. Moreover, in another embodiment, the device 10 includes one blade 14 at the front of the device 10 and another similar blade at the back or rear of the device 10 so that the device 10 can clean the line while travelling in either direction.

[0045] The blade 14 may be disposed proximate a first end of the frame 12 (as shown in Figure 1). The submersible device may also include a second blade 14 disposed proximate a second end of the frame 12 (as shown in Figure 5).

[0046] The device 10 may further include at least one buoyancy tank 34 and a support member 13, which provides a central structural member for mounting various components. For example, the first roller 16 may be pivotably connected to the frame 12 and / or the support member 13 via a pivot arm 24, and the second roller 17 may be connected to the frame 12 and / or the support member 13 via a fixed arm 29.

[0047] With reference to the simplified schematic diagrams shown in Figures 2 and 3, in an embodiment of the device 10, the drive unit 15 includes two pairs of rollers — a first pair 16, 17 and a second pair 18, 19. The first roller 16, 18 in each pair is pivotably connected to the frame 12 by pivot arms 24, 25, respectively; and the second roller 17, 19 in each pair is connected to the frame 12 via fixed arms 29, 31, respectively. As illustrated in the figures, the pivot arms 24, 25 are movable between a deployed position (shown in Figure 2) in which the first 16, 18 and second 17, 19 rollers in each pair engages (e.g., abuts or contacts) the line 20, and a retracted position (shown in Figure 3) in which the first rollers 16, 18 in each pair are disengaged from the line 20. In an embodiment, in the deployed position, the pivot arms 24, 25 are biased such that the first roller 16, 18 in each pair of rollers pushes against the line 20. This provides greater engagement and gripping of the line 20.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2, in the deployed position, the first roller in each pair engages a first side of the line 20, and the second roller in each pair engages a second side of the line 20 so that the line 20 is secured between the rollers. For example, the line 20 is secured between rollers 16 and 17, and between rollers 18 and 19.

[0049] Hydraulic actuators 26, 27 are arranged to move the pivot arms 24, 25 between the deployed position and the retracted position. In other embodiments, other actuators may be used to move the pivot arms, such as linear or electronic actuators.

[0050] In an embodiment, the rollers 16, 17, 18 and 19 comprise engagement elements to increase friction between the rollers and the line 20. Engagement elements may include grooves, ridges, teeth, and / or studs. Engagement elements such as these may be particularly suitable when the line 20 comprises rope, for example. Moreover, depending on the material properties of the line 20, the engagement elements may also include a high friction material such as rubber for increased friction with lines made of dense materials like metal alloys.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, some embodiments of the device 10 may include one buoyancy tank 34. In other embodiments (e.g., as shown in Figure 1), two buoyancy tanks 34 may be provided. The buoyancy tank(s) 34 may be variable-buoyancy tank(s) so that the buoyancy of the tank, and thus the device, can be varied during operation of the device 10. For example, it may be advantageous to increase the buoyancy while positioning the device 10 in the body of water (e.g., above the line 20), and when removing the device 10 from the line 20 / the body of water. It may also be advantageous to decrease the buoyancy of the device when lowering it towards the line 20 and when the device 10 is in the deployed position so that it securely engages with, and is firmly seated on, the line 20. The buoyancy of the tanks 34 may be varied by pumping air into and out of at least a part of the tank 34. The tank may comprise internal baffles or compartments for optimum buoyancy adjustment.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the device 10 may include a slotted cylinder arrangement that includes inner cylinder 52, outer cylinder 54, connecting arm 55 and hydraulic actuator 56. The slotted cylinder arrangement may be used when deploying and removing the device 10 from the water. This arrangement enables an operator to easily locate and engage the submerged infrastructure with the device 10. In one method of deploying the device 10, a grappling hook with a rope attached is lowered into the water above a piece of submerged infrastructure (e.g., a mooring line 20). The rope is then moved so that the grappling hook engages the line 20 and the rope is pulled taught. The inner cylinder 52 is then rotated using connecting arm 55 and hydraulic actuator 56 so that its slot is aligned with the slot in outer cylinder 54. The slots in the cylinders 52, 54 can then be aligned with the rope so that the rope sits substantially within the circumference of the inner cylinder 52, and then by actuating the hydraulic actuator 55, the inner cylinder is rotated so that the rope is encapsulated by the cylinders and the device can be lowered while being guided by the rope onto the mooring line 20.

[0053] Figure 6 also illustrates a more detailed view of the hydraulic actuators 26 and 27 for actuating pivot arms 24 and 25.

[0054] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the submersible device 10 may include additional blades for improved cleaning of the line 20. For example, a supplementary blade 30 may be provided proximate the first roller 16, 18 in each pair of rollers. In an embodiment, the supplementary blade 30 is biased towards the line 20 so that it pushes against the line when the submersible device 10 is in-situ. As shown in Figure 7, the supplementary blade 30 may be biased with the aid of biasingelement 33, which may include a spring for example. The supplementary blades 30 clean parts of the line that are not cleaned by the blade 14.

[0055] In addition, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the submersible device 10 may include a rotating blade 32. The rotating blade 32 is rotatably mounted to the frame 12 adjacent to the blade 14 and improves the cleaning capacity of the device 10. The rotating blade 32 may alternatively be described as comprising a plurality of rotating paddles. In an embodiment, the rotating blade 32 rotates against the direction of travel thereby effectively flicking biofouling material away from the line. In some embodiments, there may be two rotating blades 32, one mounted at the front and one at the back of the device 10.

[0056] Also shown in Figure 8 and 9, the submersible device 10 may also include one or more cameras 36. In an embodiment, one camera 36 is located at the front of the device and one is located at the rear of the device (as shown in Figure 8). The cameras can be used to monitor the effectiveness of the device as it drives along the line 20 (e.g., whether any biofouling remains on the line 20). Having one camera 36 at the front and one at the rear / back of the device 10 allows the line to be monitored as the device moves in either direction along the line (i.e., the device 10 is configured to move both forwards and backwards along the line). The device 10 may further include a light source and associated energy supply configured to illuminate the line 20 thereby improving visibility of the line for the cameras.

[0057] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the submersible device 10 may also include a collector 38, which may be provided in the form of a net. The collector 38 is configured to collect biofouling material 22 that is dislodged from the line 20 as the device 10 moves along the line 20. The collector 38 is connected to support member 13 of the frame 12 via support arms 46. During deployment and removal of the device 10, the collector can be moved using hydraulic actuators 48 so that it does not catch on the line 20.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, the submersible device 10 may also include a control unit 42 that is locatable above the surface of the body of water 28 (e.g., on a boat 40). Using the control unit 42, an operator can remotely control the submersible device 10. For example, the operator can control the various hydraulic actuators and the one or more hydraulic motor(s) that power the drive unit 15 and / or the rollers. The hydraulic motor(s) can have lower power output and still provide sufficient power for driving the device 10 along the line 20. For example, the hydraulic motor(s) may have a power output of approximately 13 horsepower. In some embodiments, the rollersand / or the hydraulic actuators may be powered by a different type of motor, such as an internal combustion engine (e.g. a diesel engine), or an electric motor.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, the submersible device 10 may include an umbilical 44 that connects the submersible device 10 with the control unit 42 to provide consumables and / or other services between the submersible device 10 and the control unit 42. In some embodiments, the umbilical 44 includes at least two sets of hydraulic hoses — a first set of hoses to power the rollers to go backwards and forwards, and a second set of hoses to power the pivot arms 24, 25. The second set of hoses may also have a valve that can divert hydraulic fluid to drive the rotating blade 32.

[0060] A method 100 of cleaning a mooring line 20 will now be described with reference to Figure 12.

[0061] In an initial or lowering step 110, the submersible device 10 is lowered into a body of water 28 within which a line is located. The line may be a mooring line 20. The device 10 may be lowered from a supporting frame 60 (as shown in Figure 8) using ropes or other cables attached to the device at lifting points / flanges 50 on supporting member 13. In a subsequent or gripping step 120, a plurality of rollers grip the line. In a further or driving step 130, the device 10 drives along the mooring line 20 to strip biofouling 22 from the line 20. The method may further include a collecting step 140 where the biofouling material 22 that is dislodged from the line 20 is collected in a collector 38 that is attached to or forms part of the submersible device 10.

[0062] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

[0063] While various features of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.Legend

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A submersible device for in-situ cleaning of biofouling from a line submerged in a body of water, the submersible device comprising:a drive unit configured to drive the submersible device along the line; anda blade configured to strip the biofouling from the line as the submersible device moves along the line.

2. The submersible device of claim 1, further comprising a frame configured to support the drive unit and / or for carrying the blade.

3. The submersible device of claim 2, wherein the blade is attachable to or provided on part of the frame.

4. The submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive unit comprises a plurality of rollers, the rollers being configured to grip the line and drive the submersible device along the line.

5. The submersible device of claim 4, wherein a first roller of the plurality of rollers is pivotably connected to the frame via a pivot arm and a second roller of the plurality of rollers is connected to the frame via a fixed arm.

6. The submersible device of claim 5, wherein the pivot arm is movable between a deployed position, in which the first roller engages the line, and a retracted position.

7. The submersible device of claim 6, further comprising one or more hydraulic actuators that are arranged to move the pivot arm between the deployed position and the retracted position.

8. The submersible device of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein, in the deployed position, the pivot arm is biased such that the first roller pushes against the line.

9. The submersible device of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, in the deployed position, the first roller engages a first side of the line and the second roller engages a second side of the line thereby securing the line therebetween.

10. The submersible device of any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the rollers comprise engagement elements to increase friction between the rollers and the line.

11. The submersible device of claim 10, wherein the engagement elements are provided in the form of ridges, teeth and / or grooves.

12. The submersible device of any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein the rollers are driven by a hydraulic motor.

13. The submersible device of any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the device further comprises at least one further roller configured to engage the line.

14. The submersible device of any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein the plurality of rollers comprises a first pair of rollers and a second pair of rollers.

15. The submersible device of claim 14, wherein the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers each include a first roller pivotably connected to the frame via a pivot arm and a second roller connected to the frame via a fixed arm.

16. The submersible device of claim 3, wherein the blade protrudes from the frame.

17. The submersible device of claim 3 or claim 16, wherein the blade is disposed proximate a first end of the frame.

18. The submersible device of any one of claims 3, 16 and 17, further comprising a second blade disposed proximate a second end of the frame.

19. The submersible device of any one of claims 5 to 15, further comprising a supplementary blade disposed proximate the first roller in the or each pair of rollers.

20. The submersible device of claim 19, wherein the supplementary blade is biased towards the line so that it pushes against the line when the submersible device is in-situ.

21. The submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising a rotating blade connected to the frame for cleaning biofouling from the line.

22. The submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the submersible device is configured to move both forwards and backwards along the line.

23. The submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 22, further comprising at least one buoyancy tank.

24. The submersible device of claim 23, wherein the buoyancy tank is a variable-buoyancy tank.

25. The submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 24, further comprising at least one camera configured to monitor the line as the device moves along the line.

26. The submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 25, further comprising a collector configured to collect biofouling material dislodged from the line as the device moves along the line.

27. The submersible device of claim 26, wherein the collector is a net.

28. The submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 27, further comprising a control unit that is locatable above the surface of the body of water, from which an operator can remotely control the submersible device.

29. The submersible device of claim 28, further comprising an umbilical that connects the submersible device with the control unit to provide services between the submersible device and the control unit.

30. A method of cleaning biofouling from a line submerged in a body of water, the method comprising:lowering the submersible device of any one of claims 1 to 29 into a body of water within which a line is located; anddriving the submersible device along the line to strip biofouling from the line.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the line is a mooring line.

32. The method of claim 30 or claim 31, further comprising a step of collecting the biofouling in a collector that is attached to or forms part of the submersible device.

Images