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: Hydrophones are installed in each tank of a liquid cargo tanker ship. In the unfortunate event that the tanker collides with an obstacle in the water, the hydrophones detect the shock wave due to the collision. The relative first arrival times of the shock wave at the respective hydrophones are measured and the arrival-time differences between two hydrophones of any two different selected pairs of hydrophones is calculated. Hyperbolic lines of constant time difference are projected on a map of the locations of the hydrophones on the ship. The intersection of the lines of position representing the calculated first arrival time differences marks the location of the impact of the ship with the obstacle.

Abstract: This invention teaches that when a section of a tanker is damaged, the ship being far from shore-based help, it is imperative that the liquid cargo be transferred from the ruptured tank to an undamaged tank on the ship as quickly as possible. By doing so, the contents of the damaged tank are less likely to escape in a sufficiently voluminous quantity to seriously befoul the environment. To that end, a normally-empty emergency holding tank is provided on the ship with means to provide for emergency transfer of the liquid cargo from the damaged section into the emergency holding tank. At the same time, the ruptured tank is enshrouded by a flexible barrier curtain to entrap whatever liquid cargo that may have leaked from the damaged tank.

Abstract: A marine pollution containment barge consists of two semi-circular hulls, which, when joined together at the extremities thereof, define an interior well that is open to the water. The semi-circular hulls may be separated. The hulls are self-propelled independently of each other and each may be dynamically positioned independently of the other.

Abstract: A barge has a well in the center. A rigid oil containment sleeve is lowered through the well by suitable winches and cables. The barge is towed over a source of leaking oil and is anchored in position. Leaking oil accumulates inside the oil containment sleeve. A plurality of standpipes, open at their upper end to the fluid in the well, are built into the hull of the barge. The standpipes provide a protected volume from which gas bubbles can escape. Pumps whose inlets are connected to the bottom of the standpipes pump the oil from the standpipe into an oil storage vessel. Gas that accompanies the oil is flared to prevent dissemination of the noxious gases. A sprinkling system cools the barge deck from the heat of the flared gas.

Abstract: In seismic exploration, particularly at sea, several seismic acoustic sources selected from different genera of such sources are combined in a single array. The several sources are fired substantially simultaneously so that the acoustic pulses from the several sources blend together to create a single composite seismic wave. The source genera are selected such that their initial impulses are in phase but their caudal transients are incoherent with respect to one another so that the initial impulse is enhanced at the expense of the after-pulses.

Abstract: Sets of at least three geophones are oriented in different directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a seismic cable in which they are assembled, so that at least one geophone in each set will detect substantially vertically-propagating reflected seismic signals when the cable is rotated in any orientation about its longitudinal axis. Arrangements may be provided to selectively enable the one geophone of each set that has its axis most nearly oriented to the vertical.

Abstract: A depth controller having a streamlined body which comprises retractable and extendable lift producing means, such as a main pair of vanes that can produce a variable negative lift and an auxiliary pair of vanes that can produce a variable positive lift. Each pair is movable by translation or rotation in a single plane, inclined relative to the horizontal. Depth control means are operatively coupled to retract the main pair of vanes inward as the controller moves from the water surface down to a reference depth and to extend the auxiliary pair of vanes outward as the controller falls below the reference depth. Each controller can be used to effectively maintain a seismic streamer cable section at or near the desired reference depth.