Abstract: An oil spill recovery vessel (10) is provided that comprises a catamaran bow section (12) with twin hulls between which an oil skimmer unit (11) is arranged for displacement between a lowered, operating, position in oil-polluted water and a raised, non-operational, position clear of the water. Aft of the catamaran bow section (12) is a trimaran main section (13) made up of a central hull interposed between two outer hulls formed by aft continuations of the twin hulls of the catamaran bow section (12); the three hulls of the trimaran main section have conjoined upper portions. A propulsion unit (53) is operative to move the vessel (10) forward at slow speed for skimming operations, and, with the skimmer unit (11) in its raised position, at a fast speed in which the vessel planes on its trimaran main section (13).

Abstract: An oil/water separator is provided that is suitable for use aboard an oil spill recovery vessel and elsewhere. The separator comprises a tank structure divided into first and second compartments that communicate via a bottom channel. An inlet pipe supplies an oil/water mix to be separated into the first compartment. An oil suction pipe draws oil out of the first compartment on a continuous or intermittent basis. Water discharges unassisted from the second compartment once the water level in the second compartment has reached a certain level. A heating compartment is provided adjoining the first compartment thereby to enable the oil in the compartment to be heated to reduce its viscosity in cold conditions; this heating compartment is arranged to serve as a reservoir for hydraulic fluid whereby heating of the oil results from heat given up by worked hydraulic fluid returned to the heating compartment after operational use.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery vessel (10) is provided that comprises a catamaran bow section (12) with twin hulls between which an oil skimmer unit (11) is arranged for displacement between a lowered, operating, position in oil-polluted water and a raised, non-operational, position clear of the water. Aft of the catamaran bow section (12) is a trimaran main section (13) made up of a central hull interposed between two outer hulls formed by aft continuations of the twin hulls of the catamaran bow section (12); the three hulls of the trimaran main section have conjoined upper portions. A propulsion unit (53) is operative to move the vessel (10) forward at slow speed for skimming operations, and, with the skimmer unit (11) in its raised position, at a fast speed in which the vessel planes on its trimaran main section (13).

Abstract: A boat is provided with a steering arrangement comprising a main steering system and control-surface subsystem. The control-surface subsystem comprises a control-surface assembly attached to the stern of the boat and comprising a trim tab pivotally connected to the stern of the boat, and a skeg rotatably mounted by the trim tab. The control-surface assembly further comprises a trim-tab operating arrangement for pivoting the trim tab, and a skeg operating arrangement. The main steering system and the skeg operating arrangement can be selectively set to operate independently of each other, or in coordination with each other, in steering the boat.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery vessel (10) equipped with a skimmer unit (11) moves forward through an oil spill (6) at a normal skimming speed with its skimming unit operating to recover oil, and simultaneously transfers recovered oil through an oil transfer hose (17) to a bladder (19) being towed by the vessel using a towing cable (14). The oil transfer hose (17) and towing cable (14) attach to the vessel in substantially the same location situated approximately on the fore-aft centerline of the vessel and at least one third of the vessel's length from the stern or more forwardly an oil transfer bollard (15) of the vessel. In one embodiment the oil transfer hose (17) and towing cable (14) attach to an oil transfer bollard unit (15) comprising a towing post and an oil transfer pipe. The oil transfer bollard (15) can also be used to transfer oil from a towed unit to the vessel.