Apparatus for planting seed oysters

In an apparatus for uniformily distributing seed oysters over a previously prepared oyster seed bed, comprising:

• a vessel having a bow and stern of conventional design, and a V-shaped hold;
• adapted to contain seed oysters
• a substantially U-shaped structure having sides and a bottom defining a channel in the lower portion of the hold, running substantially the length of the vessel, the sides and bottom of the U-shaped structure extending through and a short distance beyond the bow;
• an endless conveyor mounted in said channel;
• a centrifugal spinner disk mounted on a bracket projecting from the bow of the vessel, located below the discharge end of the conveyor, the upper surfaces of the conveyor and the spinner disk being coated with a soft resilient material to prevent injury to the seed oysters;
• a series of short plates resting on the lower surfaces of the V-shaped hold, above the conveyor, said plates being readily removable to expose progressively portions of the conveyor as the load of seed oysters is distributed;
• power means for operating the conveyor and the spinner disk, and
• an inboard-outboard motor mounted at the stern of the vessel to enable the same to the readily maneuvered over the oyster bed during the seeding operation.