When you first hear the phrase underwater logging, you may think of underwater basket-weaving, that often joked about imaginary college course. Unlike the weaving of baskets, however, harvesting lumber underwater has proven to be a viable (and profitable) business for Triton Logging, a Canadian forestry equipment firm.

Many trees are submerged in dams and reservoirs, and Triton developed a unique robotic tool to handle the work of cutting and retreiving the wood: the Sawfish. According to Triton, the Sawfish is the world’s only deep-water logging machine and combines “…proven elements from timber-harvesting and submarine vehicle technology on an innovative platform.”

Operating by remote control, the Sawfish is maneuvered into position to grasp a viable piece of lumber. An airbag is attached and inflated above the cut point, then the sawfish cuts the timber. The log (with airbag attached) shoots to the surface, where it can be easily harvested.

Check out this Globe and Mail story (or Triton Logging) for more information on this impressive machine. (Source: Triton Logging) - [Jeff James]

^{photos: © Triton Logging}