Patent ID: 8025070

Claim:
In combination: a) an apparatus for treating a surface bounding a space within which a bulk supply of flowable material can be contained, the apparatus comprising: an elongate support having a proximal region and a distal region; at least one flexible tube at the distal region of the elongate support through which a fluid from a pressurized supply can be directed, the at least one flexible tube movable continuously in a whipping action to thereby cause a force to be applied to a surface at or adjacent to which the flexible tube is located to thereby at least one of: a) apply a fluid; and b) separate matter adhered to a surface at or adjacent to which the flexible tube is located; and a moving assembly for the elongate support, the moving assembly operable to controllably reposition and/or reconfigure the elongate support thereby to controllably place the at least one flexible tube at different selected locations with respect to a surface to be treated by the apparatus; and b) a floating vessel in which a bulk supply of flowable material can be stored and transported on a navigable body of water, the floating vessel having a cargo hold with the surface bounding the space within which a bulk supply of flowable material can be contained and within which the apparatus at least partially resides with the at least one flexible tube moving continuously in a whipping action to thereby cause a force to be applied to the surface.