Abstract: Partially submerged, buoyant portable marine fence has netting material attached to series of float-supported longitudinally spaced upright fence poles which extend from bottom of water to above the surface of water. Floats are attached to each pole at the low water elevation on each pole. When horizontal wind or water forces are exerted upon fence, poles pivot about detachable ballasts located at the base of each pole.

Abstract: A method and a plant for storing freshwater to distribute it as consumption water are disclosed. The freshwater is enclosed within a downwardly open tank floating in a body of salt water, e.g. seawater and defined laterally by suspended, substantially vertical curtains and at its top end at least partly by a floating cover. The freshwater is supplied to the tank adjacent its top end so as to form an upper freshwater body therein, the lower portion of the tank being taken up by the salt water. A distinct horizontal boundary layer is formed between the freshwater and the salt water bodies and will move up and down in response to supply and withdrawal of the freshwater. To restrict diffusion of salt water into the freshwater body a separating layer of material having a density intermediate those of the freshwater and the salt water may be arranged at the boundary layer.

Abstract: An artificial breakwater which dynamically changes shape and thus absorbs both surface and undersurface wave energy with varying wave height. The breakwater elements are flexible and extensible walled bags of which a major part is to be submerged below the surface of the sea. At least one anchor is fixed by a cable to the bottom of the bag. The bag is filled mostly with water and partly by air, whereby at least part of the air filled portion extends above the surface of the sea. The flexibility and extensibility of the bag is such that in the presence of waves its vertical dimension increases or reduces, thereby impeding transmission of wave energy at and below the surface.

Abstract: To protect shores against oil pollutants, a web-like oil-retaining textile, is lowered into the water in parallel with the shore and the textile is drawn up on the shore over a strip of land which is in danger of getting polluted in such a manner that a longitudinal edge of the textile remains in the water. The oil which is thrown towards the shore by the waves adheres to the textile and is thereby prevented from contacting the strip of land.One longitudinal edge of the textile is provided with a heavy foot rope and the other longitudinal edge is provided with floats and cords for drawing the textile up on the shore. The textile may be a needled fibrous felt having a width of 4 to 8 meters, the width being comparable to that of the strip of land to be protected.

Abstract: A barrier arrangement for blocking a water passage or channel against the admission of a foreign or unfamiliar object, such as underwater vessels, frogmen and the like. The arrangement comprises a net (1) of considerable tensile strength intended to be stretched across the water passage. The bottom edge of the net (1) is anchored to the sea-bed and the net can be activated from a passive state, in which it may lie on the sea-bed, to an active barrier state. To this end, the upper edge of the net (1) is connected to an inflatable and deflatable lifting hose (3) which when evacuated is essentially flat and which when inflated is able to lift the upper edge of the net towards the surface of the water, so as to stretch the net between the sea-bed and the surface of the water. The invention also relates to a barrier net and to an anchoring means for use with the arrangement.

Abstract: A fireproof boom for containing flammable pollutants on water includes a flotation member, a heat-resistant water-sorbent material surrounding the flotation member and a protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material. The flotation member is a series of cylindrical metal cans held end-to-end. The heat-resistant water-sorbent material draws water around the heat-sensitive flotation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of heat-resistant material to become slightly singed. The protective fence surrounding the water-sorbent material is heavy steel wire woven in continuous spirals so that when the spirals are integrated with each other a diamond-shaped mesh is formed.

Abstract: An oil containment boom system of two parallel, spaced-apart booms, with the forward boom designed to permit splashover of oil, a low pressure area between the booms functioning to retain the splashover oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing an oil spill floating on a body of water, including a plurality of barges attached end-to-end in an endless configuration, or circle, around the oil spill, and in which the open spaces between the adjacent end portions of the barges are sealed by oil-impervious curtains suspended from the adjacent barges and clamp means clamping the opposite end portions of the curtains flush against the corresponding inner sidewall surfaces of the adjacent barges.

Abstract: A high temperature oil containment boom cover blanket for conventional elongated cylindrical oil containment booms is disclosed. The cover blanket, when installed onto a conventional oil containment boom effectively converts the boom into a high temperature oil containment boom which allows for in situ burning of spilled oil during cleanup operations.

Abstract: A skimmer-boom apparatus for skimming and diverting floating pollutants, such as oil, from the surface of water experiencing high current velocity comprising an upstream and a downstream buoyant member connected by an impermeable membrane. The buoyant members are coupled at one end and open at the other, resulting in a "V" shaped structure. The upstream member is disposed to skim oil or other floating pollutants between it and the upstream edge of the membrane. The cross-sectional area of the skimmer-boom as defined by the membrane and the buoyant members increases in the direction of the open end of the "V" in order to maintain constant mean flow velocity of the skimmed water and pollutant contained within the apparatus as it flows towards a collection area from the narrow, closed end to the open end of the structure. Oil thereby collected may be skimmed or otherwise removed from the capture area.

Abstract: A portable, fire-resistant barrier for the containment of marine oil spills comprises a continuous length of interwoven high-temperature resistant yarns and metallic wires, coated with a high-temperature resistant synthetic polymeric resin. The woven fabric barrier is buoyed by fire-resistant buoys and stabilized with ballast.

Abstract: A fireproof boom for containing flammable pollutants on water includes a flotation member and at least two layers of heat-resistant, water-sorbent material surrounding the flotation member. The flotation member is a series of cylindrical metal cans held end-to-end by the heat-resistant material. The heat-resistant, water-sorbent material draws water around the heat-sensitive flotation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of heat-resistant material to become slightly singed.

Abstract: A method and a plant for recovery of oil spilled on a water surface. A marine vessel including a fore body and aft body and a bulwark is provided with a longitudinally extending edge at the deck from which the deck slopes downwards towards a substantially low bulwark which in operating position is below the water surface, thus leaving one side of the deck open to the sea. The sloping deck, the fore body, aft body and bulwark together form an artificial calm bay into which the oil slick can flow. The waves entering the calm bay break against the sloping deck and force the oil at the top of the waves over the edge and then into the interior of the vessel body, where the oil is settled and separated from the body of the water.

Abstract: A fireproof boom for containing flammable pollutants on water includes a flotation member, a skirt depending from the flotation member, and at least two layers of heat-resistant, water-sorbent material surrounding the flotation member. The heat-resistant, water-sorbent material draws water around the heat-sensitive flotation member, forming steam in the presence of flaming pollutant and allowing only the outer layer of heat-resistant material to become slightly singed.

Abstract: Artificial "seaweed" or anti-erosion interceptor devices have a plurality of buoyant sheets or fingers roped together in spaced end-to-end relation on a lake bed bottom in patterns or contours which will best intercept sediment in the water to build up the lake bed bottom. The fingers or sheets have rope receiving sleeves at their bottom ends and float receiving sleeves or pockets at their top ends. The bottom ends are also preferably weighted down on the lake bed bottom by sediment filled tubes under the rope receiving sleeves. The buoyant fingers or sheets may be slit at their top ends to provide a plurality of narrow ribbons each having a float at its top end. In place of the individual floats for each ribbon, the sheets may have sleeves receiving a floating rope and this rope in some instances can carry depending sheets with free bottom ends.

Abstract: The present invention is a floating highway unit which has a structure which facilitates both removal from linkage in a series of units forming the highway, provides for simple alignment of the units during assembly, and also allows vertical movement caused by tides and waves. Protection is provided for the highway by use of a partly floating barrier, for damping wave motion, thus substantially reducing the amount of absolute and relative movement of the floating highway units. Each of the floating units of the present invention is comprised of a generally rectangular horizontal pontoon including provisions for floatation of the pontoon, the pontoon having a centrally located horizontal tongue extending outwardly from a short side of the pontoon whereby the top surface of the tongue is an extension of the top surface of the pontoon. A recess is located in the opposite side of the pontoon having a shape for enclosing the tongue which matches the shape of the tongue.

Abstract: A pool skimmer having an elongated, floating barrier constructed of a plurality of rigid, elongated floats disposed in end-to-end relation and covered by flexible netting, one end of the barrier having a member for anchoring the one end in engagement with the wall of a swimming pool and the other end of the barrier having manually graspable members for engaging the other end with the wall and for traversing the other end around the wall so that the barrier sweeps the pool surface and collects floating material, such as oil. The barrier has a pleated configuration for expansion and contraction to accommodate varying distances between its ends as the barrier sweeps the pool so as to circumscribe the material and, finally, to assume a fully contracted configuration. The skimmer includes a case which is upwardly open and is downwardly perforated, the case being submerged beneath the barrier and then raised to receive the barrier and lift it and the collected material from the pool.

Abstract: A collecting rope which is intended especially for collecting oil from the surface of water, the rope comprising a drive chain which is situated inside a cylindrical part, which is surrounded by a lightweight float layer, which is surrounded by another cylindrical part, oil-collecting bristles being attached to the outer surface of the outer cylinder. The cylindrical parts can rotate in relation to the drive chain, since the joint between them consists of resilient protrusions on the inner surface of the inner cylinder. The cylinders and the chain are, however, locked to each other in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: This floating boom comprises a flexible structure forming a barrier provided with transverse stiffeners to which are secured floats adapted to support this structure in a substantially vertical position in water. The stiffeners are designed so as to be resiliently bent at their lower part under the action of the water current for a velocity of the water current sufficient to cause bending without causing any substantial change in the inclination of the remainder of the boom in water.

Abstract: An oil fence arrangement for effectively preventing oil spills from spreading or diffusing over the surface of the sea. The arrangement is of a double wall construction and can fold into a small space.

Abstract: A fire resistant spillage containment boom comprising a plurality of units connected together, each of the units comprising a float member and panels extending vertically above and below the float member, a corrugated panel having vertically disposed corrugation secured to one end of the float member, and a connecting means on the other hand of the corrugated panel and on the other end of the float member, and a connecting member for securing the adjacent units together.

Abstract: The surface activity (more especially waves) of a body of water is reduced by providing a succession of booms at least partially surrounding said body of water (preferably moored so as to be substantially stationary) so that the surface of said body of water (preferably a major proportion or all of said surface) is substantially isolated by the presence of said booms in relation to the surface of water peripherally external with respect to said booms and the surface activity of said body of water is reduced by the distribution on the surface of said body of water as thus isolated by said succession of booms of a material at a cryothermal temperature at or below the freezing point of the water that preferably is in the form of a cascade of ice particles. Preferably surfaces of succession booms that face the so isolated body of water present material at a cryothermal temperature that is in contact with the water surface.

Abstract: A method for the dispersal of oil comprising the steps of(a) deploying a barrier on water contaminated with oil to enclose, at least partially, an area containing oil, said barrier having one or more weirs in the barrier connecting the enclosed area with a gallery and means for removing oil from the gallery;(b) allowing oil and associated water to flow over the one or more weirs into the gallery;(c) adding a dispersant to the oil and water subsequent to its passage over the weir or weirs;(d) pumping the oil and water from the gallery under conditions such that an emulsion of oil, water and dispersant is formed, and(e) discharging the emulsion into the water outside the enclosed area.Also claimed is a barrier suitable for use in the method described for the dispersal of oil spilt on water.

Abstract: Oil boom for an open sea skimmer barge comprising a hull having a bow, bottom, side walls, stern having a substantially elongate slot extending across a portion thereof and a deck, a spill suction tunnel, a collection tank, secondary oil separation means and tertiary oil separation means.

Abstract: A barrier for impeding the spread of oil spilt on water comprising two angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) each of which is moulded onto a respective angled stiffener (2 and 5) to form Z-shaped members (1 and 4) in cross-section. The two Z-shaped members (1 and 4) are positioned back to back so that each is a mirror image of the other. The ends of the angled stiffeners (2 and 5) remote from the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) are rotatably connected and the two angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10) are releasably joined by a fastener 7. A flexible membrane (3) passes around the ends of the angled stiffeners (2 and 5) remote from the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10), each end of the membrane (3) being moulded into one of the angled buoyant rigid elements (9 and 10).

Abstract: Oil sweeper method and apparatus including an elongated structural framework adapted to be towed transversely across the surface of water bearing an oil film contaminant, the framework supporting a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel vertical screens, wherein the forwardmost screen relative to the direction of sweeping motion is constituted of multiple panels pivotally attached to the framework for swinging movement about vertical swinging axes, and the rearward screen is water impervious. When the panels of the forwardmost screen are pivoted they define channels therebetween for diverting surface water and floating contamination such as oil in a lateral direction towards a skimmer disposed at one end of the sweeper apparatus. The rearward screen assists in further deflecting the water and oil towards the skimmer after they have traversed the channels between the pivotable panels.

Abstract: A contamination control boom arrangement for utilization in flowing bodies of water such as rivers, having both a contaminating liquid spill therein, as well as solid objects floating thereon. The boom has one end mounted adjacent the shore of the river and is swingable on the mounting so that the boom may assume various angles with respect to the direction of flow of the river. The boom has a rigid flotation means extending outwardly from the bank into the river and a plurality of fins pivotally coupled to the downstream side of the flotation means. Fin moving means are provided to vary the angle which the fin makes with the flotation means and thereby vary the angle which the flotation means makes with the direction of flow of the river. Fluid passageways are provided through the rigid flotation means at the water line thereof.

Abstract: A barrier for the containment and recovery of oil spilt on water comprises a first buoyant air chamber 1, a ballast water chamber 2, an oil and water discharge tube 3 and a second buoyant air chamber 6. The first air chamber 1 has a plurality of sections of reduced diameter 7, which together with the ballast water chamber 2 define a series of weirs for oil and water to pass into a gallery formed by the ballast water chamber 2, the oil and water discharge tube 3 and the second air chamber 6. Pumps 4 may be provided in the oil and water discharge tube 3 to remove oil from the gallery. The second air chamber 6 provides buoyancy to maintain the optimum configuration of the weirs.

Abstract: An improved containment barrier or boom having a flotation means and a skirt section dependent therefrom. The boom may be wound around a reel for storage, and deployed from the reel as required. The flotation means comprises a flexible, longitudinally elongated tubular member, having a cavity extending throughout the elongated length thereof. A resilient, generally spring-like member having helical coil means is provided in the tubular member. The spring-like member extends substantially longitudinally throughout the length of the tubular member, and the helical coil means maintain the walls of the tubular member in a transversely expanded condition when the tubular member is deployed in the body of water. The spring-like member is resiliently deformable from the helical condition to a transversely flattened condition, when the tubular member is wound upon the reel for storage.

Abstract: A flexible, fence-type, water-borne pollutant containment boom is disclosed having a flexible, permanently attached tension reinforcing belt of continuous, substantially parallel, high modulus, aramid fibers adhesively secured to the boom proximate its bottom edge and having a plurality of handles spaced along the top edge of the boom, the handles being molded on both sides of the boom and overlapping the top edge and surrounding openings cut in the boom proximate the top edge leaving flaps of boom material to selectively close the openings.

Abstract: A barrier is attached to the side of a ship and extends outwardly therefrom. The barrier, in a transition region at the side of the ship, increases in height toward the side of the ship, thus forming a barrier sail which preferably extends from the height of the deck and down to the beginning of the bilge section at the side of the ship, the floating section of the barrier extending along the upper edge region of the barrier said and gradually decreasing in diameter toward the side of the ship, and the barrier sail being inserted into a vertical slot affixed to the side of the ship.

Abstract: A wall is formed by stringing on cables a plurality of similar buoyant panel elements lying flat on water. Each panel element has an inner end, an outer end and two side edges. A first chain extends laterally through the panel elements adjacent the inner ends thereof and a second chain extends laterally through these elements spaced from the first chain. The first chain is tensioned to draw the panel elements together to abut each other at the inner ends thereof. The second chain is then tensioned while water ballast is added to compartments in the elements to cause the outer ends of the panel elements to swing downwardly to bring the side edges thereof together to form a wall. The resulting structure is made up of these panel elements side by side. Gripping means at the ends of the cables maintain them under tension to retain the side edges of the panel elements together.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oil spill containment device for aquatic vessels including a flotation collar structure surrounding the periphery of the vessel to be contained, apparatus for deploying this collar including in one embodiment compressed air dispensing equipment and a cable deploying device which pays out and retracts cable as a function of tidal currents, and a sheet structure depending from and extending upwardly above the collar to constrain any oil slick or any potential thereof. Also contemplated herein is a compartmentized and containerized storage system for fuel within a cargo ship so as to minimize the likelihood of a catastrophic spill.

Abstract: Anti-pollution barrier comprises a buoyant air tube, a ballast water tube and a membrane. Sections of reduced diameter in the air tube provide weirs over which surface oil and water spill. An oil and water discharge tube is provided which may be inside or outside the water tube. If inside, then one end of the membrane is connected to the air tube and the other end to the ballast tube to form a gallery for reception of the overspill. If outside, then one end of the membrane is connected to the air tube and the other end to the discharge tube to form the gallery. Pumps may be provided in the discharge tube to remove overspill from the gallery.

Abstract: Aquatic sports zones are reclaimed or made by bounding non-shore areas of the zone with a plurality of end-to-end connected water impervious flotation boom sections, anchoring the formed boom in the bound zone, and attaching the ends of the boom to pier bulkheads, and providing the boom with a ballasted skirt having a length greater than the maximum normally anticipated water depth at the point of attachment of the skirt to the boom. Where desired, water purification means may be included in the bound zone.

Abstract: A bottom tension boom for collecting floating material, such as an oil spill upon a body of water, has a barrier containing an upper or freeboard portion, a lower or skirt portion which is submerged in and extends downwardly into said body of water, and pleats or slack portions which extend generally vertically across the barrier. A plurality of flotation elements is attached to the freeboard portion of the barrier and thereby supports the barrier as a whole upon the water. A lattice containing a plurality of strands made from an extensible material is attached to the skirt and extends downwardly therefrom. The lower portion of the lattice is connected to a bottom tension line which is shorter in length than the corresponding portion of the barrier. The boom is towed by tow lines connected solely to the bottom tension line and effects a backward skirt inclination with respect to the position of the bottom tension line.

Abstract: A boom for the containment of oil spills and other debris on the surface of a body of water is formed of a curtain disposed at the surface of the water in a generally vertical plane with a lower edge of the curtain being submerged below the surface. Floatation for the curtain is provided by a set of floats secured within pockets of a flexible material which is sewn to the curtain. Stiffening members in the form of rods are secured transversely to the curtain at regular intervals between the floats. Weights are positioned at the lower ends of the rods to maintain the vertical attitude of the curtain. Ports at the bottom of each pocket admit water to the interior of the pockets while air escapes through the stitching. Water entrapped within the pockets greatly increases the virtual mass of the boom for resisting sudden lurches and rolling movements induced by waves of water striking the boom.

Abstract: A floating-type anti-oil, anti-impact and anti-wave barrier includes means for intercepting a flow of oil floating on the water and diverting the oil in directions at right angles to the original direction of flow, means for mitigating an impact force exerted by a ship or the like, and means for intercepting waves. The barrier comprises a first float formed by serially arranging at regular intervals a plurality of elongated floating boxes in their longitudinal direction, a second float formed exactly in the same manner as the first float and disposed parallel to the first float with opposed side surfaces of the floating boxes forming the first and second floats being located at staggered positions relative to each other. Floatable spacers having shock-absorbing and intercepting functions are interposed between such opposed side surfaces of the floating boxes in the first and second floats chains or ropes moor the respective floating boxes to each other.

Abstract: A floating type anti-oil anti-impact anti-wave barrier includes structure for intercepting oil floating on the water, for mitigating an impact force exerted by a ship or the like, and for intercepting waves. The barrier can collect oil which has flowed out onto the sea to prevent the oil from dispersing, and the barrier can be protected from damage caused by a ship, by drift, by waves, etc.

Abstract: An oil containment boom is provided herein. It includes an elongated member of generally V-shaped cross-section, which is provided by a front wall section and a (preferably higher) rear wall section, joined together along respective lower edges. Ballast means are provided for normally maintaining the elongated member upright with the joint between the front and rear walls at the bottom. Float means (preferably inflatable) are provided, which are disposed between the front wall and the rear wall at a predetermined and preselected level above the joint. Drainage means are provided within the front wall to permit polluted liquid which has rolled over the front wall and is trapped in the V-shaped member constituted by the front and rear walls to escape therefrom to an area upstream of the front wall. A novel method of containing oil spills in ice infested water is also provided.

Abstract: In a floatable breakwater, one or more flexible membranes are suspended below a floatable, open grid. An outer membrane is formed into a trough. Inner membrane components serve to define multiple ports and reduce the energy of the wave as water is moved and churned through the various ports. The inner membrane components may have a truncated tetrahedral configuration. A turbine may be positioned at one end of the breakwater to utilize the wave energy.

Abstract: Oil spill retrieval apparatus of the type employing a floating flexible barrier, has an oil reservoir tank coupled with the barrier in such manner that oil is conveyed from the barrier to the tank by gravity flow. An oil intake tube interconnecting the barrier and storage tank has an outlet coupled with the tank at an elevation below the water surface, and an opposed mouth floatingly supported on the surface of the water in flow communication with the flexible barrier. In preferred forms, the mouth is provided with a one-way gate precluding backflow of collected oil, and has an inflatible bladder permitting selective vertical adjustment of the mouth relative to the flexible barrier and tube outlet. One form of the invention contemplates the use of a buoyant skimmer in combination with the floatingly supported mouth to enhance oil separation in calm water operations.

Abstract: The air/water figure of eight cross-section boom has an additional water chamber along side the original. The extra water boom has some buoyancy due to internal small air tube and thus forms a weir. Surface oil and water collects between the two water tubes and is recovered.