Abstract: A two-part vessel for use in oil transport in waters where ice may occur, comprising a first part constituting a barge part having a bow portion and a stern portion and containing a number of loading tanks, the bow portion having a submerged receiving space for a mooring and loading buoy, and a second part constituting a propulsion part having a forward portion and a stern portion which is adapted for breaking ice, the forward portion having a forward end which is adapted for connection to the stern portion of the barge part.

Abstract: Large bulk liquid cargo tankers are a common sight on the world's oceans and waterways. Petroleum needs worldwide have risen sharply and in order to fulfill those needs cheaply and efficiently, shipbuilders have increased the size of tankers carrying the crude oil to the point where the modern supertanker is capable of carrying millions of barrels of oil in a single trip. Such efficiency has not come without a price in that a single tank rupture can be an ecological and financial disaster. In order to minimize and even the eliminate such a disastrous event, an apparatus has been designed to be deployed inside a bulk liquid cargo tank. Should a tank be ruptured, a large expandable bladder pre-positioned within the tank would expand as oil from within the tank would pe pumped into its internal volume. The expandable bladder serves a dual purpose to act as a seal against the portion of the tank that has been ruptured eliminating the flow of oil out of the tank and seawater into the tank.

Abstract: A transport ship (20) adapted for simultaneous transport of a cargo of i) a liquid, particularly oil, and ii) a plurality of containers (32, 32') as well as iii) optionally at least one additional type of goods, the transport ship having: a hull including a sheathing (22), a weather deck (23, 23'), a bottom (18) and a tank (30) for storing and transporting the liquid, as well as a front part (35), a rear part (25) and a central part (29). The ship is a plurality of hold sections (28, 28') defined by the bottom (18) and the weather deck (23, 23'), the hold sections (28, 28') being adapted to store containers (32, 32') and/or the optional additional type of goods, the weather deck (23, 23') is adapted to support containers (32, 32'), the weather deck (23, 23') includes access hatches giving access to the hold sections (28, 28'), and the tank (30) for storing the liquid extends from the area at the bottom (18) of the ship upwards to a height above the weather deck (23, 23').

Abstract: A treatment provides an effective, safe; and economical method to render ballast water free of contaminating organisms. A ballast water treatment system includes a source of ozone and a ballast tank connected to the source of ozone. In a method of controlling organisms in ballast water of a sea faring vessel, the ballast water is treated with ozone while the vessel is in transit between ports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spillage protection system for a storage vessel in the event a breach of the hull occurs. The system comprises sheets of lath work panels extending from longitudinal and transverse supporting members of the vessel hull for forming sub-compartments therein. The sheets of lath work panels are comprised of a plurality of apertures therein for providing characteristics of strength and porosity to the structure. The system further comprises a distribution system extending through the hull of the vessel and into each of the sub-compartments. The distribution system originates at a reservoir which supplies a foamable cast-cure plastic material to the distribution system and effectively delivers the foamable cast-cure plastic material to a sub-compartment adjacent to an area of the hull experiencing the breach.

Abstract: A tank within a ship providing for both fuel storage and water ballast, has external walls enclosing compartments formed between internal intersect walls having flow regulating openings therein that are located and sized to establish separate interfaced flow paths along which segregated flows of fuel and water are concentrated to minimize mixing of fuel and water during refueling operation and reduce retention of water within the tank.

Abstract: A system for automatically replacing ballast water in a ballast tank of a ship comprises a water inlet port on a part of the ship where the water pressure acting on the ship when in forward motion in the water is higher than the pressure of the ballast water being replaced, a water discharge outlet in the ballast tank and a water inlet passage extending between the water inlet port and the ballast tank for introducing water into the ballast tank at a higher pressure than the ballast water in the tank. In this way the ballast water is forced from the ballast tank through the discharge outlet to be replaced by water introduced through the inlet port. A method for replacing ballast water in the ballast tank of a ship is also provided.

Abstract: An oil tanker ship having an oil tanker hull assembly and method of operation operable to prevent oil spillage in case of an accidental hull rupture. The oil tanker assembly includes 1) an inner main tank oil cargo assembly to receive, support, and convey a primary oil cargo; and 2) an outer hull tank oil cargo assembly adapted to receive and convey a secondary oil cargo therein and mounted about and enclosing the inner main tank oil cargo assembly. The outer hull tank oil cargo assembly is provided with a plurality of compartment bulkhead assemblies operable to divide same into a plurality of spaced adjacent compartmentalized hull tanks with each one independently operable on being ruptured to prevent oil spillage into the surrounding sea water. The compartment bulkhead assemblies are each provided with an upper top surface engineered and positioned below a sea level line when obtaining a full load of oil cargo therein.

Abstract: A gas storage system formed of a continuous pipe wound in plural layers, each layer having plural loops. The pipe may be distributed within a container, which may serve as a carousel for winding the pipe and as a gas containment device. When containers, each containing a continuous pipe are stacked upon each other, the weight of upper containers may be born by the walls of lower containers, thus preventing lower layers of pipe from suffering stresses due to crushing by upper layers. A method of transporting gas to a gas distribution facility including obtaining a supply of gas at a gas supply point remote from the gas distribution facility, injecting the gas into a continuous pipe bent to form plural layers, each layer including plural loops of pipe, transporting the continuous pipe along with the gas to the gas distribution facility preferably in a ship and discharging the gas at the gas distribution facility.

Abstract: A bladder-type multipurpose vessel which provides a novel solution to the problems that exist in current oil tankers, such as unsafety, unitary transportation function and environmental pollution. The cargo hold of the present vessel is of the construction combined by a rigid structure and a flexible one, and the crude oil lies in a quad protection of an outer shell, an inner shell, a water cushion and spray layer, and a bladder, causing its safety to be greatly increased. Since the vessel has the special cargo hold construction and corresponding facilities to make it possible to transport both oil and water as well as goods, being of outstanding applicability, economy, safety and environmental protection effect.

Abstract: A method of conversion of a single hull vessel to a double hull vessel is provided and has at least the steps of:(a) positioning a section of a second hull shell beneath a first hull of a vessel;(b) raising the section of second hull shell to locate it adjacent the first hull; and(c) attaching the section of second hull shell to the first hull.In a preferred method, the second hull shell is positioned in relation to the first hull by male and female locating members disposed on adjacent portions of the first and second hulls. The method is carried out in a dry dock or, alternatively, using a ship-lifting system. The second hull has side and end sections formed of substantially hollow steel blocks, and the bottom section has transverse ribs for additional strength. Thus, a double hull vessel of the present invention has substantially the same interior capacity as the single hull vessel before the conversion.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing a liquid carrying tank vessel, such as an oil tanker, and to the reconstructed vessel whereby a tank vessel constructed with a single bottom hull is reconstructed to a double bottom hull configuration at least over the hull portion including the cargo tanks, and to the reconstructed vessel thereby obtained. The original hull is separated at a point where the bow curve meets the midships section of the hull. A new section is inserted which follows the curvature of the original bows, and increases both the beam and draft. A new double bottom is applied over the remainder of the cargo tank carrying space of the hull, which is tapered in to meet the curve of the stern section. The new section can be fabricated with, or without, a double bottom, depending on its intended use.

Abstract: A storage facility for use in temporarily storing produced fluids, e.g., crude oil from oil and gas wells, comprising a floating, concrete barge having at least one storage compartment, the barge being positioned in a preselected location in a body of water, the concrete barge preferably being of double-wall construction, having a plurality of storage compartments, and having no exposed structural or reinforcing steel subject to attack by weather and/or sea elements.

Abstract: A gas storage system formed of a continuous pipe wound in plural layers, each layer having plural loops. The pipe may be distributed within a container, which may serve as a carousel for winding the pipe and as a gas containment device. When containers, each containing a continuous pipe are stacked upon each other, the weight of upper containers may be born by the walls of lower containers, thus preventing lower layers of pipe from suffering stresses due to crushing by upper layers. A method of transporting gas to a gas distribution facility including obtaining a supply of gas at a gas supply point remote from the gas distribution facility, injecting the gas into a continuous pipe bent to form plural layers, each layer including plural loops of pipe, transporting the continuous pipe along with the gas to the gas distribution facility preferably in a ship and discharging the gas at the gas distribution facility.

Abstract: A ship having a fuel tank adjacent the hull of the ship, in which the tank is provided with at least one oil-tight bulkhead, longitudinal with respect to the hull, which bulkhead dividers the tank into two or more discrete compartments, at least one compartment being adjacent the hull and at least one compartment being remote from the hull, each compartment being provided with pipework such that each of said compartments independently of each other can be filled with fuel and can provide fuel to the engine and/or boiler systems of the ship.

Abstract: A tanker for carrying a liquid bulk cargo, provided with a full swash bulkhead. The bulkhead plating is closed watertight from deck to bottom except for one or more small holes (4) near the bottom.

Abstract: A device to capture, contain and collect hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel before they can be spilled or leaked from the ventilation valve or fuel intake port of the fuel tank of a vessel and on to the surface of the water during fueling operations at marine fueling facilities. The device is formed as a low-profile box with a floor section and upright wall sections having stratified layers of a textile material and a solidifying polymer enclosed within a outer envelope of textile material. A seamed area at the center of the device with slits in the textile material allows the device to circumscribe the annular conduit of a device passing through the seamed area. The device is positioned to surround the external ventilation valve of the fuel tank of the vessel. Excess fuel that is expelled through the ventilation valve when the capacity of the fuel tank is reached during the fueling operation is captured and absorbed by the device.

Abstract: A device for spherical ship's tanks (1), especially for liquid natural gas, comprising discharge pipes and filling pipes (3, 4 respectively) which extend vertically and centrally in the tank (1). The upper part of the pipes (3, 4) is attached to the tank and they extend down to the bottom (11) of the tank (1), being suspended in the tank, and the bottom part being passed slidably into respective muffs (15), which are permanently connected to the tank bottom (1). Between the pipes (3, 4) there extend cross-members (5, 6), these together with the pipes (3, 4) forming a truss beam.

Abstract: A water equilibrating arrangement for a marine vessel comprises a trough that is in fluid flow communication with first and second closed or closeable compartments that are separated by an essentially imperforate structure and a baffle that extends downward from the imperforate structure into the trough and defines a passage that provides fluid flow communication between the compartments. In the event that water enters one of the compartments due to damage to the vessel, water can flow rapidly into the other compartment for equilibrating water load in the two compartments. Flow of gas through the trough is prevented when a substantial portion of the trough is filled with a liquid or a flowable solid or semi-solid material.

Abstract: A device to capture, contain and collect hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel before they can be spilled or leaked from the ventilation valve or fuel intake port of the fuel tank of a vessel and on to the surface of the water during fueling operations at marine fueling facilities. The device is formed as a low-profile box with a floor section and upright wall sections having stratified layers of a textile material and a solidifying polymer enclosed within a outer envelope of textile material. A seamed area at the center of the device with slits in the textile material allows the device to circumscribe the annular conduit of a device passing through the seamed area.

Abstract: A system for providing differential pressure relief in vessels having a cargo tank, incorporating an inert gas biased pressure/vacuum relief valve is disclosed. A source of inert gas, under controlled pressure and flow rate is connected to a vacuum outlet of a pressure/vacuum valve to bias the valve so that a desired pressure differential across the tank can be maintained during normal operations and easily changed and so that the valve will open at two different desired pressure differentials. A rupture disk connected to the vacuum pump adaptor is set to rupture at a desired pressure differential across the disk to allow atmospheric pressure to reach the vacuum outlet in the event of a rupture. A vacuum pump replaces the rupture disk to maintain a desired pressure differential across the pressure/vacuum valve, so as to reduce the amount of cargo that would leak from the damaged tank.

Abstract: A hull structure of nonmetallic material, in particular of a reinforced plastics material, for boats, ships, minesweepers and the like includes a preferably one-piece shell (1) and at least one deck (2, 2'). A plurality of ribs (3) are distributed along the length of the hull and extend across the corresponding transverse section of the shell (1). A plurality of transverse members (4, 4') (known as beams) extend directly underneath the deck (2, 2'). In order to give the hull greater structural strength and make it lighter, each transverse rib (3) joined to the shell (1) is connected (103, 203) to a corresponding transverse member (4, 4') joined to the deck (2, 2') and to continuous fore and aft members (15) (girders) passing in the manner of bulkheads, so as to form a single one-piece frame with the keel member.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible portable container for leaking oil tanks which is designed to stop oil spills at their source by preventing the oil from entering the water. The invention in its preferred construction consists of flexible plastic sheets heat-sealed into a shape and size somewhat larger than the oil tank in which it will be used, except for very large tanks, in which multiple units of the invention are used. The top opening is provided with radiating expansion tubes attached to the perimeter of the opening with side arms reaching the adjoining tube. These tubes are inflated by the compressed gas or air compressor to which they are connected. They force the perimeter of said opening against the walls at the bottom of said tank. Built-in flotation tubes around said opening are then inflated to raise said opening to the surface of the liquid, thereby enclosing, except for said top, the remaining contents of said tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a containment integrity system for application in a vessel carrying bulk materials such as liquid petroleum products. The containment integrity system comprises a flexible liner having an inner composite fabric portion and an outer fiber-reinforced rubber skin portion, a fastening system for rigidly securing the flexible liner to the walls of the vessel, an anchoring system for releasably securing and conforming the flexible liner to and about all coverable features of the hull of the vessel, and a self-sealing flange assembly for insertion into all flow holes connecting the cargo compartments of the vessel. The present containment integrity system insures the necessary containment integrity of the hull of the vessel without significant reduction in the carrying capacity of the vessel.

Abstract: A pad, system and method of collecting and containing liquid leaks and spills, comprising a flexible, liquid-impervious pad having a bottom and inflatable sides, a pair of tethers connected at one end to one end of the pad, and a pair of poles detachably connectable at one end thereof to the tethers. The poles are used to position the uninflated pad under a source of leakage or spillage, after which the poles are disconnected from the tethers and the sides of the pad are inflated.

Abstract: A bladder is disclosed for providing a liquid impervious liner for the cargo compartments of vessels used to transport liquids such as petroleum and petroleum products. The bladder prevents spillage of the liquid cargo in the event the hull is breached and facilitates cleaning of the cargo compartments without environmental impairment.

Abstract: A method and a vessel for offshore oil loading, wherein the vessel comprises a number of center tanks (3) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vessel, and a number of wing tanks (5, 6) located in pairs on either side of respective center tanks, a loading line (19) being connected to the center tanks (3) via respective valves (20), and adjacent center tanks (3) being connected to each other via bulkhead valves (18).

Abstract: An oil spill recovery shuttle barge system is provided to clean up marine spills. A first barge includes at least two substantially identical pontoons detachably joined in side by side relationship. A second barge includes at least two additional, substantially identical pontoons detachably joined in side by side relationship. A detachable thrust unit and a detachable crane can be mounted to either of the two substantially identical barges, one barge serving as a powered pumping and receiving barge, and the other a nonpowered receiving barge, with the barges capable of being interchanged. The pontoons are flat bottomed, and the thrust unit has an adjustable-depth propeller. The thrust unit has a non-sparking electrical system. The detached pontoons are dimensioned to be transported overland to a marine spill site.

Abstract: A device and method for use when filling the internal fuel tank of a boat having an air outlet vent in fluid communication with the fuel tank with the air outlet vent exiting from a side of the boat's hull with the structure of the device disposed in proximity to the air outlet vent for the collection and proper disposal of any overflow fuel exiting the air outlet vent to prevent its discharge into the water surrounding the boat.

Abstract: Methods for transporting and unloading liquid cargo by water borne vessels are disclosed. At least two unstackable containers are transported to a remote unloading location by water borne vessel. One of the containers, substantially empty, is unloaded from the vessel onto a dockage area. Liquid cargo from the second unstackable container can be offloaded onto the dockage area and the proceeds repeated from third, fourth, and so on, unstackable containers until all liquid cargo desired to be offloaded resides in the dockage area in the unloaded containers.

Abstract: A tanker which can reliably prevent the outflow of cargo oil from cargo oil tank sections (1, 2, 105, 106) in the ship body in the event of damage or injury to an outer plate (8, 9) of the ship body has a double-sided hull construction (4, 104) arranged on opposite sides of each cargo oil tank in the ship's body and a mid-height deck (3, 118) arranged to divide each cargo oil tank into an upper cargo oil tank (2, 106) and a lower cargo oil tank (1, 105). To reliably prevent the outflow of cargo oil in the event of damage or injury to the ship body due to stranding, collision or similar malfunction, the height (H) of the mid-height deck (1, 118) as measured from the ship bottom (8, 108) is determined so that the pressure of cargo oil exerted on an outer plate of the ship's side wall will not be higher than the pressure of sea water. An access trunk (5, 112) and pressure control devices (6, 7, 113, 114) serve for degassing cargo tank sections.

Abstract: Equipment for recovery of liquid tank cargo from a seagoing vessel, in order to stop a leakage, includes a container (3) of fabric which can be packed together for stand-by storing and which can be placed in the sea in order to receive at least some of the tank contents, by pumping the contents through at least one hose (4) which is connected or permanently coupled to the container.

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: The pump is submerged in the tank of a ship for circulation of a liquid cargo medium within the tank through a cargo refrigeration arrangement. The pump is formed of three components. One component is mounted in the tank or hold of the ship and includes a stator and a dependent annular cooling element. The second component is removably mounted on the first component and includes a cylindrical support and a rotor which depends from the support within the stator. The third component is removably mounted on the second component and includes a drive within the cylindrical support for effecting rotation of the rotor, for example, through a magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A pump aggregate is mounted within a bell shape housing member along with a hoisting winch which permits the lowering of the pump aggregate into a hatch of a cargo tank when a hatch cover has been removed. The housing member allows the passage of the pump aggregate into the hatch while maintaining the pressurized conditions of the hatch. A hose stump is disposed in folded manner within the housing member to unfold during lowering of the pump aggregate. The hose stump connects to a coupling on the top of the housing member. A pair of flexible hydraulic conduits which are connected to the pump aggregate also uncoil during lowering of the pump aggregate and, in turn, are connected to coupling arrangements on the housing member. A seal is provided about the open bottom of the housing member to seal against a tank to maintain the pressurized conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for loading and discharging tanks (1) for transporting oil, a method for transporting oil in tankers (1) and a pipe and valve system (6, 7, 8) in a tanker (1) for performing the method. According to the invention, gassing of hydrocarbon containing gas during loading and unloading is reduced by loading or unloading the cargo tanks (2) while the oil is maintained in contact with a generally saturated HC gas. This is done by saving the HC gas which is developed during loading or unloading, this gas later being used in further loading and unloading. This is made possible by a pipe and valve system (6, 7, 8) according to the invention. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the tanks are filled completely so that the oil is present in tank hatches (10) and risers (11) located at the top of the tanks (2).

Abstract: A tanker ship has upper and lower tanks for carrying cargo. The upper and lower tanks are separated from each other by an intermediate deck. The lower tank is filled with cargo to the intermediate deck such that the cargo is slightly pressurized and there is no ullage space. As the tanker sails, the cargo in the lower tank is likely to change pressure due to temperature changes. These pressure changes are detected by a pipe extending from the lower tank through the intermediate deck up to an ullage space in the corresponding upper tank. A siphon is used to transfer cargo between the upper and lower tanks to equalize the pressures. In the event that the lower tank is breached, sensors are used to detect the resulting drop in pressure from the lower tank cargo. The sensor system provides a warning to the crew, closes the siphon to prevent cargo transfer from the upper tank to the lower tank and opens an auxiliary pipe located in the upper portion of the lower tank.

Abstract: A transport vessel such as a tanker prevents crude oil from spilling in the event of accidents. One or plural storage bags or bladders made of flexible film-like material and having upper entrance and exit openings are installed in one or plural storage chambers of the transport vessel.

Abstract: Low density liquids are filled into bags with or without assistance of filling floats which are floating docks with bag chambers on the tops. The bags will float and can be transported across oceans alone or together by sea currents or by towing. The bags can be drained by pumping or by using draining floats and draining towers. The draining floats are floating docks with bag chambers on the tops. The draining towers are structures for transporting drained liquids onto shores though liquids conveying systems.

Abstract: An improved tanker ship construction design includes a plurality of liquid cargo tanks distributed in two longitudinal sets along each side of a tanker ship. A plurality of fully protected ballast tanks are distributed longitudinally between the sets of cargo tanks. A passive, gravity-responsive, fluid transfer system provides very rapid fluid communication between selected cargo tanks and a adjoining ballast tanks. A gravity responsive fluid transfer system is provided between the respective ballast tanks.

Abstract: A device is provided for impeding the spillage of a liquid cargo from a damaged hull of a water traveling vessel, which consists of a protective layer placed against an inner surface of the hull and a flexible inner placed between the protective layer and the liquid cargo, so that if the hull is punctured, the protective layer will hold the flexible liner and the liquid cargo in place.

Abstract: A tanker which can reliably prevent the outflow of cargo oil from cargo oil tank sections (1, 2, 105, 106) in the ship body in the event of damage or injury to an outer plate (8, 9) of the ship body has a double-sided hull construction (4, 104) arranged on opposite sides of each cargo oil tank in the ship's body and a mid-height deck (3, 118) arranged to divide each cargo oil tank into an upper cargo oil tank (2, 106) and a lower cargo oil tank (1, 105). To reliably prevent the outflow of cargo oil in the event of damage or injury to the ship body due to stranding, collision or similar malfunction, the height (H) of the mid-height deck (1, 118) as measured from the ship bottom (8, 108) is determined so that the pressure of cargo oil exerted on an outer plate of the ship's side wall will not be higher than the pressure of sea water. An access trunk (5, 112) and pressure control devices (6, 7, 113, 114) serve for degassing cargo tank sections.

Abstract: A system and method to transfer oil cargo from ruptured tank(s) of a tanker to receiving vessel(s) or receiving tank(s), while maintaining a partial vacuum in the ullage space of the ruptured tank(s). A partial vacuum is created and maintained in the ullage space of tank(s) of a tanker to reduce outflow of liquid such as oil in the event of a ruptured tank. The vacuum is continuously maintained in a precise balance responsive to the forces acting on the contents of the tank, which forces change when the tank is ruptured. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention the liquid cargo in the tank(s) of the ruptured vessel is transferred to tank(s) of receiving vessels or any designated receiving tank(s) while maintaining the partial vacuum in the ullage space of the tanks of the ruptured tanker or vessel. The partial vacuum in the ullage space of the ruptured tank must be maintained while the oil is transferred to tanks of a receiving vessel, otherwise catastrophic oil spillage may occur.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tanker vessel for the transportation of oil or other liquids, which present a danger to the environment: the tanker vessel consists of a hull with a bottom (10), two sides (12, 14), an upper deck (16), at least two longitudinal bulkheads (18) and a number of transverse bulkheads, which together form a number of center tanks (28) and side tanks (24, 26), wherein a mainly horizontal between deck (22), located considerably below the load water line of the ship, divides at least the side tanks into upper and lower compartments (24, 26). In order to eliminate or reduce the risk of oil spills caused by collision damages in the side, according to the present invention, the upper side tanks (26) are ballast tanks, while the lower side tanks (24) are cargo oil tanks, which at the head are connected to vertical oil riser trunks (30), which via branch (36) with a non-return valve, are connected to an oil reception tank.

Abstract: A marine sanitation holding vessel basically comprising a welded aluminum barge; a waste removal system mounted on the barge; and a ventilation system mounted on the barge. The barge is of modular construction and comprises three basic sections: first and second end sections and an elongate middle section. The waste removal system includes first and second pumps, a battery for storing power for operating the pumps, a receptacle for receiving waste from portable toilets, and a solar generating system for charging the battery. The first pump withdraws waste material from the holding tank to be emptied and deposits it into the barge storage tank. The second pump provides water for cleansing the receptacle for receiving waste collected in portable toilets. The ventilation system comprises a hollow mast painted black to heat the mast and thus generate an upward draft within the mast which draws the fumes from within the storage tank.

Abstract: Vapors, typically volatile organic compounds, emitted from a vaporizable liquid, typically oil, that is within a tank, typically a ship's tank, are (i) compressed, and (ii) stored in a reservoir that is closed to the atmosphere. The (i) compression typically transpires in and by a series/parallel array of pumps, rotary or reciprocating compressors, to a storage pressure of 150+ PSIA. The several million cubic feet ullage volume of a typical 200,000 ton oil tanker is typically compressed over a few days during and/or after loading, and stored in a typically spherical gas storage tank of some 10-20 feet in diameter. Stored gases are returned to the ullage spaces during offloading of the oil tanks in a closed system. This emission control by vapor recovery is interoperative with related systems and methods (i) to avoid spillage of oil due to the rupture of a ship's tank, and/or (ii) to make and maintain a mixture of gases and vapors within the tank's ullage space to be non-explosive and non-flammable.

Abstract: Recessed bottom tankers. Vessels described herein are built or retrofitted with side ballast tanks and optional forward bulbs extending to a level below the level of the vessel's cargo compartment to protect the cargo in case of collision or grounding. When compared to a double-hull or mid-deck design, the devices disclosed herein will considerably reduce the cost of a new tanker construction and make the retrofitting of some old single-hull ships economically acceptable. Furthermore, ballast tanks and bulbs designed in accordance with the present invention greatly reduce the possibility of ballast contamination and the risk of explosion due to oil leakage into ballast spaces as in double-hull designs.

Abstract: In a double-layered vessel wall construction, which has two transversally spaced longitudinal wall layers, and wall layer-connecting plates, each of which has one longitudinal edge weldingly joined in a plate edge-to-plate edge joint in one of the longitudinal wall layers, and an opposite longitudinal edge weldingly joined in a plate edge-to-plate edge joint in the other of the longitudinal wall layers, so as to divide space enclosed by the wall construction into a plurality of cells that are typically closed at opposite ends by transverse bulkheads, cell-to-cell access openings are longitudinally staggered and located near cell ends. Accordingly, forced air ventilation can sweep through virtually all of the space enclosed within the wall construction, and a worker who falls while climbing from one cell to another via an access hole can fall no further than the vertical extent of the two cells which are interconnected by that access opening.

Abstract: An oil recovery and storage ship having a general tank configuration of a conventional crude oil carrier is modified by providing inlet doors along opposite sides of the ship and a deployable floating boom arrangement for maximizing the floating oil gathering swath. The side inlet doors open into sluice or sea-calming compartments which have adjustable weir doors opening into primary separation tanks on port and starboard sides. Adjustable weir doors open from the primary separation tanks into a secondary separation tank. A selected number of cargo tanks are interconnected by conduits which permit the flow of liquid from one tank to the next in a series or cascade manner to decant oil from oily water and to discharge substantially oil-free water overboard from the last tank in the cascade. The ship may be used as a conventional liquids carrier when not required for oil spill recovery operations.

Abstract: A slight, 13.2 psia, underpressure is created, and dynamically maintained, in the ullage space of the oil tanks of an unmanned barge in order to prevent or reduce the spillage of oil due to any rupture of the tanks. The underpressure is created by ejecting a high pressure gas, preferably 500 psia inert nitrogen gas in a 16 ft.sup.3 storage bottle, through an ejector that is also flow-connected to the ullage spaces of the barge's tanks. The gaseous mixture within the ullage space is preferably inerted so as to prevent combustion or explosion by mixing with the same high pressure inert gas that is otherwise used to energize the ejection. All flow connections are controlled by electric valves managed by a control computer that responds to tank level, pressure, and/or gaseous mixture sensors.