Patent ID: 7279051

Claim:
A method of treating a surface bounding a space within a cargo hold in a floating vessel in which a bulk supply of flowable material can be stored and transported on a navigable body of water, the method comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus comprising: i) an elongate pole with a length and having a proximal region and a first distal region spaced from the proximal region; and ii) at least one flexible element on the elongate pole at the first distal region and having a passageway; manipulating the elongate pole from the proximal region to thereby selectively place the at least one flexible element either: i) against; or ii) in proximity to a region of the surface that is to be treated; directing a pressurized fluid through the passageway and thereby causing the at least one flexible element to be repeatedly moved in a whipping action to at least one of: i) move adjacent to the region of the surface and thereby cause the pressurized fluid to be propelled at the region of the surface; ii) move against the region of the surface to thereby repeatedly impact the surface at the region; iii) cause another element to repeatedly impact the surface at the region; and iv) cause a force to be applied to another element that is against the surface at the region to thereby separate matter adhered to the surface; and randomly selectively repositioning the first distal region to different selected locations throughout the hold by manipulating the elongate pole from the proximal region to thereby separate matter adhered to the surface over a substantial area of the surface.