Abstract: A floating turbidity barrier includes a first barrier section and a second barrier section. Velcro® is affixed to a portion of the first barrier and to a portion of the second barrier. The Velcro® of the first barrier section and the Velcro® of the second barrier section are connected together.

Abstract: A fence post which is adapted to release from a substrate surface in the event of rising water or flood. A plurality of fence post(s) may be used to form a fence (FIG. 8). Each fence post includes an engaging mechanism at a first end thereof, which is adapted to release from a substrate surface in the event of rising water or flood, and, a retaining mechanism at a second end thereof to retain the post near its pre-released position, such that the fence posts may be easily re-installed after the flood has passed.

Abstract: A storage device for retaining an extended length of floating oil boom therein and a method of using the same. The storage device is made from a sheet of material that is foldable to define and surround an interior cavity in which the oil boom is received. A closure mechanism is engaged to secure the folded storage device about the oil boom. A lifting mechanism on the storage device is engaged with a cable extending from a suspension assembly mounted on a vessel for use on a large body of water. The suspension assembly maintains the storage boom adjacent a side wall of the vessel and a distance above the surface of the water until the oil boom retained therein is needed in an emergency.

Abstract: A quick release/install device for attaching any oil containing boom to any wharf or pier. An oil boom bracket with a removable retaining pin loosely holds the boom wall. Each of a series of brackets is attached to a vertical cable system on each piling that allows movement with tidal changes and waves.

Abstract: A spill containment and remediation system. A reel for a boom is mounted in the upper part of a weatherproof housing. The lower region of the housing is leakproof and can store recovered liquid spill. A boom or dike is mounted on the reel. The housing has an opening which is normally sealed shut by a door. The housing is configured to be mounted on the exterior of a tanker delivery truck. When a spill occurs the door is opened and the boom readily deployed through the opening. After use, the containment boom can be reeled-in and stored over the lower region of the housing.

Abstract: A recovery device (10) for containing a material (16) floating on the surface of a liquid (12) comprises a shroud (26) having an open top and an open bottom, the top being of smaller diameter than the bottom, thus forming a truncated cone-like shape. The open top has an open area which is smaller than the area of the open bottom. The device (10) is positioned with the open bottom above the surface of the liquid (12) and encircling at least a portion of the floating material (16). It is then allowed to sink to its collection position, in which the open bottom is submerged below, and the open top is at or above, the surface of the liquid (12). As a result, the floating material (16) is encircled by the open bottom and is forced into the smaller area of the open top as the device (10) sinks into the water. The recovery device (10) may include a collar (24) attached to the open top, a skirt (28) attached to the open bottom and ballast weights (38) to aid in sinking the device (10).

Abstract: In order to control oil accidents and to prevent the oil film drifting on the water from spreading, an oil adsorber 1 is provided, in particular shaped as a barrier 2. This barrier 2 is designed in two parts. Both cells 9, 10 are completely filled with glass fiber material or with corresponding fiber mats 11, 12. The glass fibers 28, 30 of the top cell 9 are waterproofed, by an appropriate coating, whereas the fibers of the bottom cell 10 are not treated, so that they absorb water 6. In both cases epoxy resin or a synthetic resin having the same or similar properties are used, so that a long service life is achieved with optimum solidity and design possibilities. The oil adsorbers 1 thus obtained may be used both as barriers 2 and as flat suction elements, for example to clear bilge waters from ships 3. It is also conceivable to use the flat or funnel-shaped elements for collecting components of an aqueous solution, for example.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery barge utilizes a tank that will pivot about an axis from an upper position to a lower position. The barge has a pair of pontoons, with the tanks located between them. The tank mounts by axles to the pontoons to allow the rotational movement. A flexible buoyant barrier or line extends in a large loop in front of the barge. A puller will gradually pull the line in to constrict the loop to collect the oil spill. A primary separator separates some of the oil from the water and pumps it into a tank. A secondary separator in the tank further separates oil from water and pumps the water from the tank, leaving a greater concentration of oil in the tank. Bridges interconnect the pontoons at the forward and rearward ends. The bridges have flexible joints that allow the pontoons to flex due to wave action.

Abstract: A floating barrage comprising an air-containing buoyancy member (13) and a curtain suspended from the buoyancy member (13) which curtain is maintained in approximately vertical position in the water by a ballast member (9) connected to the curtain, wherein the buoyancy member and the curtain are constituted by an envelope formed by a flexible film (4) having a lower edge (7) connected to the ballast member (9) and in which the envelope contains air in a significantly smaller amount than the amount required to inflate the envelope but sufficient to keep the envelope and the ballast floating in water with part of the envelope projecting above the water surface.

Abstract: Flotation spars are detachably connected along the length of an oil containment curtain to insure the verticality of a floating containment boom. Spaced tubular sleeves extend vertically along one side of each band. The sleeves are so configured as to pivotally or hingedly mount the flotation spar to the curtain in such a manner as to permit a free pivotal action of the sleeve and spar with respect to the face of the curtain. The flotation spar is also secured to the sleeve by a pair of locking tabs that extend upwardly from the top edge of the sleeve. A cap slides over the top end of the spar and fixes the locking tabs between the cap and spar wall.

Abstract: A system for containing oil or other contaminants which have leaked from an oil tanker or similar structure is disclosed. A protective housing surrounds the structure. A plurality of covers are each pivotably mounted at its upper edge to a lower outer edge of the housing to depend therefrom. Each cover is retained in a closed position with a lower edge of the cover adjacent the side of the structure to form a storage cavity defined by the cover, the housing, and a portion of the side of the structure. A series of interconnected collapsible float assemblies is contained within the storage cavity. In case of an oil leak, a triggering mechanism located within the housing sequentially releases the covers from the closed position and the float assemblies fall away into the water. In this manner a continuous curtain may be provided to surround the structure to prevent passage of all or most of the leaking contaminant.

Abstract: An oil containment system includes an inflatable boom for encircling an oil containing vessel. A spreader runs parallel with the inflatable boom and is filled with pressurized water to cause the inflatable boom to assume a particular shape and position around the vessel.

Abstract: A fence for enclosing impurities floating on water having an elongated two-ply band of material with the two plies fused together in selected areas and with unfused sections extending between the two longitudinal edges and with unfused sections extending between the two side edges with weighted floating pickets placed within the longitudinally spaced openings.