Abstract: A placement and retrieval modular barge arrangement for off-shore well drilling equipment comprising at least two separable barge sections having an arrangement for being joined together, each barge section being made of a floatable hull having a deck capable of carrying thereon sections of a blow-out collar or other equipment, the barge having a central opening formed therein for surrounding a well drilling derrick when the barge sections are joined together, each barge section being provided with a radially movable platform arrangement slidably supported in the hull thereof, and an arrangement for actuating the platform arrangement to retract it to the confines of the central opening or extend it therefrom a distance sufficient to support a blow-out collar or other equipment during assembly or disassembly thereof.

Abstract: A portable off shore well installation apparatus, particularly for off shore wells, utilizing a pollution control curtain surrounding drilling equipment between the surface of the water and a well head, such curtain comprising a submerged anchor ring having secured to the top thereof an axially extendable water impermeable sleeve secured at its lower end to the top of the submerged anchor ring, a float ring secured to the upper end of the extendable sleeve, a plurality of longitudinally spaced buoyant rings attached at suitable intervals about the periphery of the sleeve to provide uniform axial extension of the sleeve, and a fillable retriever ring secured to the lower portion of the anchor ring to facilitate installation and removal of the curtain from the well site when the retriever ring is filled with a buoyant substance.

Abstract: A waterway cleaner comprising a hull supporting an extendable and swingable ladder mounted at one end, or bow, of the hull, a power driven endless chain of spaced scoops mounted on the ladder for scraping and excavating material from the bottom of a waterway and a belt conveyor on the deck of the hull extending beyond the stern of the hull for moving material dumped from the scoops to a dump scow. A pair of cables wound on power-driven winches, mounted one on each side of the hull, are used to displace the hull to a selected location on the waterway. A scraper is mounted vertically swingable around a pivot proximate the stern from a raised position to a submerged position in engagement with the waterway bottom. A pair of vertically movable legs positioned one on each side of the hull are adapted to engage the waterway bottom to stabilize the hull and maintain it in a fixed position. The scoops, conveyor and winches are operated by hydraulic motors.

Abstract: A barge or scow for transferring refuse from a collection site to a disposal site has an elongated open hold or cavity with a flat bottom sloping downward from a shallow end of the cavity to a deep end where a cargo-discharge gate is located. A number of spaced water-feed nozzles positioned at the shallow end of the cavity are used to direct water at the sides and bottom of the cavity in order to wash through the discharge gate any refuse which has stuck to the sides and bottom of the cavity during a cargo-discharge operation.