Abstract: A filter cartridge including a frame that is formed of one or more fluid conductive members and has a fluid outlet and a plurality of spaced inlets; and a flexible fabric material that allows the flow of water therethrough, the flexible fabric material being connected to the frame in a manner defining an internal zone, whereby substantially all fluid entering the internal zone from an opposite side of the flexible fabric material passes therethrough; wherein, upon connection of the fluid outlet to a fluid intake system, fluid is drawn through the flexible fabric material into the internal zone, thereby filtering the fluid, and filtered fluid is drawn through the plurality of spaced inlets and passes to the fluid outlet for delivery into the fluid intake system. A system and method for filtering fluid intake are disclosed.

Abstract: A boom support arm that includes: a frame having a coupling positioned above a high water level; a support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally coupled to the coupling on the frame for pivotal movement of the second end of the support arm between the high water level and a low water level; and a flotation assembly connected to the second end of the support arm. Use of the boom support arm in combination with a floating boom system for inhibiting damage to a fixed terminus of the floating boom system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A water filtration panel and a system containing the same are disclosed. The water filtration panel include a substantially rigid frame having a first face, a second face, and an inner dimension; a sheet of fabric material that permits water to flow therethrough, the fabric material being secured to the substantially rigid frame in a manner whereby substantially all water passing through the inner dimension of the frame passes through the fabric material; a sealing member connected to the first face of the substantially rigid frame; and an adjustable expansion member contacting the second face of the substantially rigid frame. Also disclosed is a retainer that is used to couple the fabric material to the substantially rigid frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sound attenuation sleeve for use on a piling during underwater construction and a method of using such a sleeve for attenuating underwater transmission of sound and/or shock waves during underwater pile driving operations.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for use during in-water scrubbing of a vessel hull, which system and method are designed to substantially reduce or eliminate environmental contamination of the water surrounding a vessel during in-water cleaning. The system includes a curtain formed of a substantially impermeable fabric material, the curtain being sized and configured whereby, upon installation into a body of water about a vessel, the curtain is capable of encircling the vessel in its entirety to define a confined region; a fluid pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the confined region defined by the curtain; and one or more ports that deliver water into the confined region during operation of the fluid pump.

Abstract: A filter canister including a frame; a sheet of flexible fabric material that allows the flow of water therethrough, the sheet of flexible fabric material being connected to the frame in a manner defining an internal zone whereby substantially all fluid entering the internal zone from an opposite side of the sheet of flexible fabric material passes therethrough; and a conduit having a first end located externally of the frame and a second end located within the internal zone defined by the sheet of flexible fabric material; wherein, upon connection of the first end of the conduit to a fluid intake system, fluid is drawn through the sheet of flexible fabric material into the internal zone, thereby filtering the fluid, and filtered fluid is drawn through the second end of the conduit for delivery into the fluid intake system. A system and method for filtering fluid intake water are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sound attenuation sleeve for use on a piling during underwater construction and a method of using such a sleeve for attenuating underwater transmission of sound and/or shock waves during underwater pile driving operations.

Abstract: A filter cartridge including a frame that is formed of one or more fluid conductive members and has a fluid outlet and a plurality of spaced inlets; and a flexible fabric material that allows the flow of water therethrough, the flexible fabric material being connected to the frame in a manner defining an internal zone, whereby substantially all fluid entering the internal zone from an opposite side of the flexible fabric material passes therethrough; wherein, upon connection of the fluid outlet to a fluid intake system, fluid is drawn through the flexible fabric material into the internal zone, thereby filtering the fluid, and filtered fluid is drawn through the plurality of spaced inlets and passes to the fluid outlet for delivery into the fluid intake system. A system and method for filtering fluid intake are disclosed.

Abstract: A submersible boom that includes: a support system containing a substantially horizontal support member; a boom curtain formed of a flexible fabric material, the boom curtain being suspended from the substantially horizontal member; and means for raising and lowering the substantially horizontal support member between first (with the substantially horizontal support member at least partially above the surface of a body of water) and second (submerged) positions. Use of the boom in accordance with a method of allowing boat traffic ingress into and egress from a region within a body of water is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of controlling contaminant flow into a water reservoir, reducing bacterial counts in a water reservoir, and reducing a count of dissolved constituents in a water reservoir, which methods include installing within a reservoir, about an inlet thereof, a boom comprising a support system and a curtain connected to the support system, the curtain being formed of a flexible fabric that allows movement of water therethrough and the curtain having a lower end and an upper end, the boom defining an artificial settling pond into which water, dissolved constituents and particulate matter from the inlet enters. The installation allows for settling of particulate matter larger than a minimum size and consumption of organic materials and dissolved constituents by aquatic vegetative flora and/or bacteria within the artificial settling pond.

Abstract: An attachment to a drainage hose for use on a stockpiling barge that includes: a fluid pervious bag formed of a flexible fabric material, the fluid pervious bag having an open end and a closed end, a ballast material attached to or retained within the closed end of the fluid pervious bag, and means for securing the open end of the fluid pervious bag about a hose. Also disclosed are the attachment in combination with a drainage hose and a stockpiling barge, a method of filtering runoff water from a stockpiling barge through the use of the attachments, and a method of preventing non-dissolved organic or inorganic contaminants from flowing from a stockpiling barge into a body of water through the use of the attachments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchoring system for a containment/exclusion boom, the anchoring system including: a Y-panel member which is adapted to be connected to a curtain of a containment/exclusion boom, said Y-panel member comprising a first skirt panel and a second skirt panel each having their proximal ends joined together and each having a distal end; and means for maintaining the distal ends of the first and second skirt panels substantially against the floor of a body of water upon introduction of the anchoring system into the body of water. Also disclosed are a containment/exclusion boom which includes an anchoring system of the present invention and a method of containing/excluding contaminants from passage from one side to another side of a boom through the use thereof.

Abstract: A water filtering system includes: a water intake system including a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with a water intake pump; and a containment/exclusion boom including (i) a support system positioned in a body of water, (ii) a curtain including a sheet of flexible fabric material that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain having upper and lower ends with the upper end being connected to the support system, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end of the curtain substantially against the floor of a body of water; wherein the curtain surrounds substantially all of the plurality of inlets and wherein, upon operation of the water intake pump, water is drawn through the curtain at which time the water is filtered, and subsequently filtered water is drawn through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the water intake system.

Abstract: A boom curtain includes: an upper portion that is adapted and configured for connection to a support system and a main portion formed of a sheet of flexible material that allows the flow of water therethrough, the main portion including a plurality of pleats that effectively increase the actual surface area of the boom curtain relative to the linear area covered by the boom curtain. A containment/exclusion boom that includes the boom curtain and a method of filtering intake water by using the boom are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modular boom curtain sections are disclosed, including zipper elements for connection of adjacent modular boom curtain sections. Boom curtains assembled from the boom curtain sections, boom systems containing those boom curtains, and methods of assembling the boom systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A water filtering system includes: a water intake system including a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with a water intake pump; and a containment/exclusion boom including (i) a support system positioned in a body of water, (ii) a curtain including a sheet of flexible fabric material that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain having upper and lower ends with the upper end being connected to the support system, and (iii) means for maintaining the lower end of the curtain substantially against the floor of a body of water; wherein the curtain surrounds substantially all of the plurality of inlets and wherein, upon operation of the water intake pump, water is drawn through the curtain at which time the water is filtered, and subsequently filtered water is drawn through the plurality of inlets for delivery into the water intake system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of attenuating underwater transmission of sound or shock waves as well as boom systems designed for such use. The boom system is characterized by a material (e.g., curtain or combination curtain and skirt) which extends substantially the entire water column when placed in a body of water, thereby defining a perimeter and a gas injection system which includes a plurality of outlets which are positioned between the perimeter and the site of underwater activity. In use, the boom system is installed such that it surrounds the site of underwater activity and then gas is injected into the water through the plurality of outlets to form a gas curtain during performance of an underwater activity capable of generating sound or shock waves.

Abstract: A containment/exclusion boom including a support system which can be positioned in a body of water, a curtain made of a flexible fabric that allows movement of water therethrough, the curtain being connected to the support system, and a bird deterring device connected to either the support system or the curtain, the bird deterring device being effective to deter birds from perching on the containment/exclusion boom. Also disclosed is a method of using the containment/exclusion boom to isolate an area in a body of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling movement of suspended particulates or marine life in a body of water. The method includes introducing into the body of water containing suspended particulates or marine life a containment/exclusion boom having a curtain formed of a flexible fabric that controls the passage of suspended particulates or marine life through the curtain and injecting a gas into the water in a manner effective substantially to remove fouling material from the curtain. Further, the present invention relates to a method of cleaning fouling material from a boom curtain suspended in a body of water, a containment/exclusion boom for controlling movement of suspended particulates or marine life in a body of water, and use of the boom of the present invention for filtering intake water or reducing transmission of energy of the shock wave of an underwater explosion.