Abstract: Apparatus for recovering spilled oil in water infested with floating ice or other debris comprises a fence having an upper rail and lower rail encircling an area to receive an oil skimmer. A plurality of buoyancy units maintain the fence at an appropriate water level. An ice-deflecting cone covers the bottom of the fence when the apparatus is deployed. A plurality of cables may be attached to the upper rail of the fence to raise and lower the apparatus into the water. The fence is preferably circular, with a diameter in the range of 10 to 50 feet. The fence preferably includes a plurality of spaced-apart vertical supports between the upper and lower rails to keep chunks of ice or other debris from entering into the encircled area, and the lower barrier structure is perforated, with openings in the range of less than an inch to several inches.