Apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench

An apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench in a floor in a body of water, the apparatus comprising:

• a body;
• a trench-forming device operatively coupled to the body for forming a trench in a floor of a body of water;
• an attachment device operatively coupled to the body for enabling attachment of at least one tensile member to the apparatus, wherein the attachment device is moveable relative to the trench-forming device between a first position, in which the apparatus is adapted to be towed by at least one said tensile member to move the trench-forming device relative to the floor of the body of water to form a trench therein, and a second position, in which the apparatus is adapted to be supported by at least one said tensile member to enable the apparatus to be deployed to the floor of the body of water;
• and
• a receiving device for receiving at least part of an elongate object to be inserted into the trench;
• wherein the attachment device is operably coupled to the body to define pivotal movement of the attachment device relative to the body about a first horizontal axis and about a second horizontal axis, wherein the attachment device is configured to pivot about the first horizontal axis vertically relative to the receiving device between the first position and the second position, and wherein the attachment device is configured to pivot about the second horizontal axis horizontally relative to the receiving device between the second position and a third position, to enable at least part of the elongate object to be received in the receiving device from a side of the apparatus remote from the trench-forming device.