Process and related apparatus for repairing aquatic propeller scars and blowouts

Abstract

A process and apparatus for planting aquatic plants underwater on the bottom of estuaries in propeller scars and blowouts and for encouraging plant growth in these propeller scars and blowouts. Aquatic plant shoots are transplanted by positioning shoots, plants or seeds in a sediment tube or sediment bag which is in turn placed in a propeller scar or blowout. When the sediment tube or sediment bag is placed in the propeller scar or blowout aquatic plant growth is facilitated. The sediment tubes and sediment bags may be preformed or they may be formed just prior to their placement in the estuary. A watercraft may be used to position the sediment tubes and sediment bags with and without sea grass shoots, plants or seeds, in propeller scar propeller scar. With the process and apparatus of this invention, sea grass plants can be replanted on the bottom of an estuary and new plant growth encouraged in propeller scars and blowouts.. Further in accordance with another embodiment of this invention a tube or other obstruction without plant shoots, plants or seeds is placed in a propeller scar in order to impede water flow through the propeller scar. When water flow through the propeller scar is impeded natural plant growth is encouraged. The material from which the sediment tube or bag is formed from degrades. The degration of the sediment tube or bag can be correlated to the growing cycle of seagrass plants, shoots or seeds as may be contained in the sediment tube or bag.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.