Patent ID: 6904856

Claim:
Apparatus for accessing a cable or pipe ( 9 ) buried underwater in a layer of material ( 10 ), the apparatus comprising: a tool ( 1 ) for accessing the cable or pipe; and at least one fluidising device arranged to fluidise the material ( 10 ) adjacent the tool such that the tool ( 1 ) may be urged through the material layer ( 10 ) and positioned at or adjacent the position of the buried cable or pipe ( 9 ); wherein the fluidising device comprises a conduit ( 14 ) having at least one opening ( 16 ) arranged to either deliver water to a region adjacent the tool so as to fluidise the material ( 10 ); or remove fluidised material from the region adjacent the tool ( 1 ); the fluidising device has one or more first conduits ( 82 , 95 ) arranged to deliver water to the region adjacent the tool, and wherein the fluidising device further comprises one or more second conduits ( 81 ) arranged to remove fluidised material from the region adjacent the tool; and the one or more first conduits ( 82 , 95 ) and second conduits ( 81 ) are arranged as an eductor ( 86 ), having a number of ducts ( 98 ) internally connecting the first and second conduits such that part of the water supplied through the one or more first conduits is diverted into the second conduit, thereby causing the ingress of fluidised material through the second conduit ( 81 ).