Abstract: An oil holding tank has an open upper end and a vertical container containing pillows when immersed in oil will rapidly adsorb oil and exhibit a composite density denser than oil and less dense than water. A horizontal member is disposed between the lower open end of the container and the upper end of the tank and having open and closed positions. The member is opened when the tank is ruptured to permit the pillows to be discharged by gravity into the tank. A first mechanism is placed in active position to apply a downward force to the uppermost layer of pillows in the container when the member is open to augment the force of gravity and is placed in inactive position and applies no downward augmenting force when the member is closed. The top level of oil in the tank prior to rupture is subjected to a combined pressure of air, vapors and inert gas which exceeds that of ambient air. An additional mechanism reducing the combined pressure after rupture to a value approximately equal to ambient air.

Abstract: An open celled plastic foam treated with a polymer which is adsorbed in the surface of the foam and causes the polymer adsorbed foam to become an oil wick and to be impervious to water. The polymer adsorbed foam when the cells of the foam are saturated with oil exhibiting a density heavier than oil and lighter than water.

Abstract: An on-board oil disposal and recovery system for emergency response to an oil spill comprising one or a plurality of wheeled oil disposal bladders, one or a plurality of bladder support brackets disposed about the periphery of the vessel and means to interconnect the oil transfer system of the vessel and a bladder of the system.

Abstract: An on-board oil spill prevention and recovery system for an oil transporting vessel. The system includes a pillow storage container which releasably houses a plurality of sorbent pillows. The container is fixedly attached to said vessel above a hole cut in the deck of the vessel above an oil holding tank thereby permitting the pillows to be selectively released to the interior of the holding tank. The system further includes a sorbent boom selectively deployable in the waters surrounding the vessel.