Beach erosion abatement

Abstract

A beach erosion abatement system includes positioning a primary shoal module proximately to a low tide water point and submersed in a depth of water to conceal a top portion of the shoal module. The shoal module includes a hollow internal compartment, a water access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment and an air access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment. A water pump is connected to the water access port and water is pumped into the internal compartment of the shoal module to flood or sink the shoal module. The shoal module may be refloated by coupling an air pump to the air access port and pumping air into the internal compartment of the shoal module to force the water out of the water access port. Further, the water may be pumped out of the internal compartment while air is vented into the internal compartment.

1 . A shoreline erosion abatement method comprising: 
 positioning a shoal module proximate to a low tide water point, the shoal module comprising a hollow internal compartment, a water access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment and an air access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment;    coupling a water pump to the water access port; and    pumping water into the internal compartment of the shoal module to sink the shoal module.    
   
   
       2 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 coupling an air pump to the air access port; and    pumping air into the internal compartment of the shoal module to force the water out of the water access port, thereby causing the shoal module to float.    
   
   
       3 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  wherein the shoal module is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel and concrete.  
   
   
       4 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  wherein the water access port is covered after the shoal module is sunk.  
   
   
       5 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  wherein the water access port and air access port and are located towards a top of the shoal module, the water access port further comprising a pipe configured to terminate adjacent an internal bottom of the shoal module.  
   
   
       6 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 2  wherein the water access port or air access port further comprises a one-way valve.  
   
   
       7 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  wherein the shoal module further comprises multiple hollow internal compartments.  
   
   
       8 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 7  wherein the shoal module further includes multiple water access ports, each water access port in fluid communication with one hollow internal compartment.  
   
   
       9 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  wherein the shoal module is sized to be completely submerged below the low tide water point.  
   
   
       10 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  wherein the shoal module is sized to be submerged such that at least a portion of the shoal module is above the low tide water point.  
   
   
       11 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 10  wherein the shoal module is sized to be submerged such that at least a portion of the shoal module is above the high tide water point.  
   
   
       12 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 pumping the water out of the internal compartment; and    coupling an air access line to the air access port to enable air to enter the internal compartment as the water is pumped out.    
   
   
       13 . The shoreline erosion abatement method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 coupling an air access line to the air access port to enable air to exit the internal compartment as the water is pumped in.    
   
   
       14 . A shoal module comprising: 
 a hollow internal compartment;    at least one water access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment; and    at least one air access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment.    
   
   
       15 . The shoal module of  claim 14  wherein the shoal module is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of steel and concrete.  
   
   
       16 . The shoal module of  claim 14  wherein the at least one water access port is a coupling selected from the group consisting of a threaded coupling and a cam-lock coupling.  
   
   
       17 . The shoal module of  claim 14  wherein the at least one water access port further comprises a pipe configured to terminate adjacent an internal bottom of the shoal module.  
   
   
       18 . The shoal module of  claim 14  further comprising a coupling configured to enable a second shoal module to be coupled to the first.  
   
   
       19 . The shoal module of  claim 14  further comprising multiple hollow internal compartments.  
   
   
       20 . The shoal module of  claim 19  wherein each of the multiple hollow internal compartments includes a at least one water access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment and at least one air access port in fluid communication with the internal compartment.