Abstract: A portable system is disclosed for collecting hydrocarbons, or other floating materials, from a body of water, such as a bilge. A pump, such as a vacuum pump, collects the water and hydrocarbons and conveys same to an oil/water separator. The oil/water separator receives the water and hydrocarbons and separates the mixture. The oil/water separator has a housing with two tanks connected by a passageway. For separation, the oil/water mixture is fed into one of the tanks of the housing of the oil/water separator. The water then passes through the passageway having a plurality of baffles and, optionally, other separating mechanisms mounted therein and into the second tank. An oil outlet allows the removal of separated oil from the top portion of the second tank while a water outlet allows the removal of water from the bottom portion of the second tank. Optionally, a pair of check valves may also be mounted between the first tank and the passageway.