A vessel protecting device is described including a cover and a fluid evacuating device. The cover, positioned surrounding the vessel in a fluid and attached solely to the vessel, encloses the vessel portion extending in the fluid. The fluid evacuating device, positioned between the cover and the vessel for removing fluid between the cover and the vessel, is accessible without removing the cover from the vessel. Further, a positioning member for positioning a fluid evacuating device for transporting fluid from between a vessel in a fluid and a cover positioned exterior to and surrounding the vessel is described. The positioning member includes a first member positionable substantially vertical and having a first end, a second end, and an attachment point for a fluid evacuating device, and a second member operatively connected to the second end of the first member away from the first end and extending from the first member.