Abstract: An apparatus for deploying and taking up an oil fence comprises a floating framework having a substantially enclosed oil fence receiving space therein and one side partly cut away and, roll means disposed in front of the cut-away portion. The roll means can be driven to sinuously house the oil fence within the framework and to pay it out from the latter. Alternatively, a takeup shaft disposed in a box-shaped member with buoyant chambers and fenders may be driven to coil and uncoil the oil fence on and from it through one open side of the box-shaped member.This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 443,131, filed Feb. 15, 1974 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,220.

Abstract: An array of semicylindrical floats juxtaposed on one surface of a longitudinally elongated screen about each of spaced cross strips on the screen opposes a similar array disposed on the other surface of the screen and a chain-shaped sinker is disposed along one longitudinal edge of the screen. Also a floating framework is disclosed having one side partly cut away and roll means disposed in front of the cut-away portion. The roll means can be driven to sinuously house the oil fence within the framework and to pay it out from the latter. Alternatively, a takeup shaft disposed in a box-shaped member with buoyant chambers and fenders may be driven to coil and uncoil the oil fence on and from it through one open side of the box-shaped member.