SUBMERSIBLE INTAKE EQUIPMENT WITH AIR FILLED BLADDERS

An apparatus having flotation ballasts or tanks, a flotation platform having a frame, and on the frame and flotation platform, intake equipment, such as a screen, check valve and/or pump intake and a coupling for a discharge pipe. An embodiment comprises a plurality of substantially symmetrical flotation ballasts, each having a ballast tank forming a chamber with an internal bladder therein, or in lieu of the ballast chamber, at least one exposed bladder coupled to the frame and flotation platform. The method includes the steps of using an apparatus as herein described to ascend and descend intake equipment.