Artificial reef and a method of constructing an artificial reef

Abstract

A method of constructing an artificial reef. The method includes attaching a reef element ( 2 ) to a support structure ( 100 ). The support structure ( 100 ) and the attached reef element ( 2 ) are then transported to a location on the surface of a body of water above an installation location on the seabed. The support structure ( 100 ) is secured to the seabed using a coupling means ( 4 ) while the support structure ( 100 ) and the reef element ( 2 ) are at the surface location. The support structure ( 100 ) and the reef element ( 2 ) are then moved from the surface to the installation location on the seabed using the coupling means ( 4 ).

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
   
   
       57 . An artificial reef assembly comprising at least one reef element and a support structure, the at least one reef element being coupled to the support structure, and the support structure being adapted to support the at least one reef element while being transported to an installation location and to be secured to the seabed to locate the at least one reef element on the seabed in a desired location to form at least a portion of an artificial reef. 
   
   
       58 . An assembly according to  claim 57 , further comprising coupling means connected to the support structure, the coupling means being adapted to couple the support structure to the seabed. 
   
   
       59 . An artificial reef assembly comprising at least one reef element and coupling means to couple the reef element to the seabed while the reef element is at the surface and to subsequently enable the at least one reef element to be moved to the seabed using the coupling means. 
   
   
       60 . An assembly according to  claim 59 , further comprising a support structure, the at least one reef element being coupled to the support structure and the support structure being connected to the coupling means. 
   
   
       61 . An assembly according to  claim 60 , wherein the artificial reef assembly comprises a number of reef elements. 
   
   
       62 . An assembly according to  claim 61 , wherein two or more reef elements are coupled to the support structure. 
   
   
       63 . An assembly according to  claim 61 , wherein there are a number of support structures. 
   
   
       64 . An assembly according to  claim 63 , wherein one reef element is coupled to each support structure. 
   
   
       65 . An assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the reef element has a volume of between 30 m 3  to 1600 m 3 . 
   
   
       66 . An assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the reef element has a length of from 10 m to 80 m. 
   
   
       67 . An assembly according to  claim 66 , wherein the reef element has a length of from 30 m to 60 m. 
   
   
       68 . An assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the reef element has a cross-sectional area of from 1 m 2  to 25 m 2 . 
   
   
       69 . An assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the reef element has a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along the length of the reef element. 
   
   
       70 . An assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the reef element comprises a container adapted to be filled with a filler material. 
   
   
       71 . An assembly according to  claim 65 , wherein the container is flexible. 
   
   
       72 . An assembly according to  claim 71 , wherein the container is formed from a fabric material. 
   
   
       73 . An assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the container is formed from a geotextile material 
   
   
       74 . An assembly according to  claim 70 , wherein the container is a megacontainer. 
   
   
       75 . A method of constructing an artificial reef, the method comprising:
 i) coupling a coupling means to a reef element located at the surface of a body of water;   ii) securing the coupling means to the seabed while the reef element is located at the surface; and   ii) moving the reef element from the surface to an installation location on the seabed using the coupling means.   
   
   
       76 . A method according to  claim 75 , further comprising attaching the reef element to a support structure and attaching the coupling means to the support structure. 
   
   
       77 . A method according to  claim 76 , further comprising transporting the support structure with the reef element attached to the support structure to the location at the surface of the body of water. 
   
   
       78 . A method of constructing an artificial reef, the method comprising:
 i) attaching a reef element to a support structure;   ii) transporting the support structure and the attached reef element to a location on the surface of a body of water above an installation location on the seabed;   iii) securing the support structure to the seabed using a coupling means while the support structure and the reef element are at the surface location; and   iv) moving the support structure and the reef element to the installation location on the seabed using the coupling means.   
   
   
       79 . A method according to  claim 78 , further comprising determining a required shape for the artificial reef. 
   
   
       80 . A method according to  claim 79 , wherein the size and shape of the reef element is determined from the required shape. 
   
   
       81 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the reef element comprises a container and the container is filled with a filler material. 
   
   
       82 . A method according to  claim 81 , wherein the container is filled with filler material when the reef element is at the installation location on the seabed. 
   
   
       83 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the reef element has a volume of from 30 m 3  to 1600 m 3 . 
   
   
       84 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the reef element has a length of from 10 m to 80 m. 
   
   
       85 . A method according to  claim 84 , wherein the reef element has a length of from 30 m to 60 m. 
   
   
       86 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the reef element is from 1 m 2  to 25 m 2 . 
   
   
       87 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the reef element has a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along the length of the reef element. 
   
   
       88 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the artificial reef is constructed from a number of reef elements. 
   
   
       89 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein one reef element is attached to one support structure. 
   
   
       90 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein two or more reef elements are attached to the support structure. 
   
   
       91 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the artificial reef is constructed from a number of reef elements and a number of support structures. 
   
   
       92 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein the support structure comprises connecting means. 
   
   
       93 . A method of constructing an artificial reef, the method comprising:
 i) determining a required shape for the artificial reef;   ii) determining a required configuration of a plurality of containers to create the required shape when filled with a required amount of filler material;   iii) connecting the plurality of containers together with connecting means, such that each container is connected to at least one other said container, wherein the connecting means are adapted to hold the plurality of containers in the required configuration when in use;   iv) temporarily fastening the connecting means to an anchor means anchored adjacent an installation location;   v) moving the containers into the required configuration at an installation location; and   vi) filling each container with the required amount of filler material.   
   
   
       94 . A method according to  claim 93 , wherein the connecting means may be provided with attachment lines and the method may include the step of anchoring a plurality of anchor means adjacent the required location and using the anchor means as pulley means for the attachment lines. 
   
   
       95 . A method according to  claim 93 , wherein the connecting means comprises an elongate flexible connecting means. 
   
   
       96 . A method according to  claim 95 , wherein the connecting means may include rope and/or strapping and/or chains and/or steel cables. 
   
   
       97 . A method according to  claim 93 , wherein the connecting means are connected to form a web. 
   
   
       98 . A method according to  claim 93 , wherein the container is flexible. 
   
   
       99 . A method according to  claim 98 , wherein the container is formed from a fabric material. 
   
   
       100 . A method according to  claim 99 , wherein the container is formed from a geotextile material. 
   
   
       101 . A method according to  claim 93 , wherein the container is a megacontainer. 
   
   
       102 . A method according to  claims 93 , wherein a mat is provided between the connecting means and the containers. 
   
   
       103 . A method according to  claim 78 , wherein a mat is provided between support structure and the reef elements.