Underwater servicing device

An underwater servicing device of a type suitable for use relative to a generally vertical surface submerged in and exposed to water, comprising a substantially hollow housing having an open face whereby the configuration of the open face substantially conforms to the surface, sealing means being provided about the peripheral edge of the open face, pumping means in fluid communication with the interior of the housing being capable of evacuating fluid from therewithin and removing such evacuated fluid externally of the device, means for moving the device from one location on the surface to another, said moving means also being capable of raising the device away from the surface, an adjustable air supply means capable of allowing air to enter the interior of the housing, and a servicing means in the interior of the housing for servicing the surface, wherein as water is evacuated from the interior of the housing and air enters, the positive pressure of water external to the housing urges the device against the surface such that the sealing means contacts the surface the further and continuing evacuation of water resulting in a substantially water tight sealing engagement between the sealing means and the surface allowing the operation of the servicing means on a first area of the surface, the device then being capable of being flooded to nearly equalise the internal and external pressures such that the moving and raising means is able to raise the device away from the surface allowing the device to be moved to another area of the surface of the article, the pumping means being operable while raising and moving the device to ensure that the internal and external pressures do not equalise.