Method and apparatus for removing liquid from, and pumping slush ice to, a hold on a fishing vessel

A method, comprising:

• receiving slush ice at an inlet of a first pipe tee proximate a first pipe valve while the first valve is open and a second pipe valve proximate an outlet of the first pipe tee is closed;
• transmitting a fluid comprising air and water via the outlet of the first pipe tee while the second valve is open and the first valve is closed;
• receiving the fluid via an inlet-outlet of the first pipe tee while the second valve is open and the first valve is closed;
• transmitting the slush ice while the first valve is open and the second valve is closed;
• receiving the fluid at an inlet of a second pipe tee, coupled to the outlet of the first pipe tee and proximate the second valve, while the second valve is open and the first valve is closed;
• transmitting water, separated from the fluid, via a first outlet of the second pipe tee, while the second valve is open and the first valve is closed;
• transmitting air, separated from the fluid, via a second outlet of the second pipe tee, while the second valve is open and the first valve is closed;
• causing, via a vacuum pump coupled to the second pipe tee, while the vacuum pump is in operation, the fluid to be received at the inlet-outlet of the first pipe tee, transmitted at the outlet of the first pipe tee, and received at the inlet of the second pipe tee, while the second valve is open and the first valve is closed;
• and
• separating, via a water separator coupled to the second pipe tee, the fluid into the water and the air while the vacuum pump is in operation and while the second valve is open and the first valve is closed.