Abstract: A compliant net support system for supporting a net of a marine barrier is provided. Embodiments include a floating marine barrier module comprising a flotation device; a supporting framework attached to the flotation device; a plurality of impact net support posts; and an impact net attached to each of the support posts and extending between the plurality of support posts along a longitudinal axis of the barrier module. At least one of the impact net support posts is a compliant net support post having a unidirectionally elastic spring element attached between a bottom of the support post and the supporting framework; and the spring element is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrier module, and substantially inflexible in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrier module.

Abstract: A bottom plate for a marine boom includes a main plate extending in a first plane. The main plate has first and second ends with first and second sides extending there between. The first plane is defined by a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends and a lateral axis normal to the longitudinal axis and extending between the first and second sides. Top and bottom surfaces are bounded by the first and second ends and the first and second sides and extend parallel to the first plane. At least one lug is attached to the main plate and extends in a second plane generally perpendicular to the first plane. The lug includes a flange defining an aperture aligned generally parallel with the lateral axis, where radial thickness of the flange increases toward the main plate and decreases away from the main plate.

Abstract: Oil boom for preventing dissemination of oil on an aqueous surface, comprising plate elements which by means of hinges at each side edge are arranged to be joined to a continuous wall. The are arranged to exert an angle-increasing between adjacent plate elements while an adjustable angle delimiting device is connected to every second hinge and is so arranged that the angle between the plate elements only can increase to a certain maximum angle. The plate elements are typically made in a lightweight polymer material having ballast at their lower edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the protection of living beings and objects from being buried in bulk material, a method for assembling said device and uses employing this device.

Abstract: A floating oil containment boom is comprised of boom sections connected end to end. Each boom section is of a tubular member or pipe section. The pipe or tubular member is buoyant, either closed at its ends and/or filled with foam or other buoyant material. Plates extend above and below the tubular member or pipe section for each section of boom. A specially configured connecter joins each boom section to the other, the connecter extending above and below the pipe or tubular member. An elastomeric block forms an interface between connectors on each boom section while simultaneously sealing the area between boom sections to flow of oil.

Abstract: Oil boom for preventing dissemination of oil on an aqueous surface, comprising plate elements which by means of hinges at each side edge are arranged to be joined to a continuous wall. The are arranged to exert an angle-increasing between adjacent plate elements while an adjustable angle delimiting device is connected to every second hinge and is so arranged that the angle between the plate elements only can increase to a certain maximum angle. The plate elements are typically made in a lightweight polymer material having ballast at their lower edge.

Abstract: A containment boom mooring system for efficiently anchoring containment booms over extended periods of time and in varying sea conditions. The containment boom mooring system generally includes a clamping frame having a first and second frame section pivotally connected upon a first end and having a latching assembly upon a second end for securing the frame sections in a pivotally closed position, a first and second resilient retainer extending along the inner sides of the first and second frame sections to frictionally engage a first side and a second side of a containment boom, a first and a second buoyancy member extending from the first and second frame sections, and an anchor assembly extending from the clamping frame which is adapted to extend below a water surface for mooring the clamping frame.

Abstract: Oil boom for preventing dissemination of oil on an aqueous surface, comprising plate elements which by means of hinges at each side edge are arranged to be joined to a continuous wall. The are arranged to exert an angle-increasing between adjacent plate elements while an adjustable angle delimiting device is connected to every second hinge and is so arranged that the angle between the plate elements only can increase to a certain maximum angle. The plate elements are typically made in a lightweight polymer material having ballast at their lower edge.

Abstract: A number of individual barrier units form a floating barrier wall each comprising a housing formed in the general shape of a highway barrier having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed end walls, and, opposed side walls interconnected to form a hollow interior which is preferably partially or completely filled with a foam material. A ballast weight is secured to each barrier unit, either inside or outside of the hollow interior, to maintain them in an upright position in the water. Cables, couplers and/or other connectors are employed to mount adjacent barrier units end-to-end to form a barrier wall which can encircle a vessel or otherwise isolate an area within a seaport or other body of water to provide security.

Abstract: A marine barrier system comprising first and second barrier sections and a coupler system. The first and second barrier sections comprise first and second main flotation members, respectively, and each main flotation member contains buoyant material. The coupler system is arranged at the juncture of the first and second barrier sections. The coupler system is arranged such that the first and second main flotation members may be placed in a storage configuration and in a deployed configuration. In the storage configuration, the first and second main flotation members are arranged in a parallel, side by side arrangement. In the deployed configuration, the first and second main flotation members are arranged end to end to define a barrier line in a body of water across which movement is limited.

Abstract: A skimmer for removing debris off the surface of a river includes a float line installed across the river at an angle with respect to the river current, and a collecting net installed at the downstream end of the float line. The ends of the line are slidable upwards, along inclined supports, to unsnag the line when a heavy object hooks onto the line. A second mechanism, assisting in raising the line, is a series of rods which swivel in a pole-vaulted fashion from their leverage at the bottom of the river to lift the line out of the water and allow the heavy object to pass underneath. If the object hits the line with an excessive force, the line will reliably break at a desired weak point. The rods may have elbow joints that would provide better leverage in shallow water.

Abstract: A method is described for containing dispersed particulate or soluble matter during contaminated sediment remediation operations in the marine environment. The preferred method comprises the use of a specially designed marine vessel that establishes a negative differential pressure gradient between a defined remediation control zone and the external ambient water environment, thereby preventing the release of contaminants dispersed during the remediation process. The preferred method also includes the use of marine vessels to remove contaminants contained within said control zone and to provide for the management of solids collected in the process.

Abstract: The transportable, foldable protective barrier, especially against high water, contains a series of supports of supporting elements articulately joined with one another, a number of parallel pipe rods for the joining of the supports as well as a number of reinforcement filling elements for the bridging of the gaps between the pipe rods. The supports are unfolded into bracing triangles and joined with the pipe rods which span a plane which are completed by grids or panels as reinforcement filling elements. Over the supports and the reinforcement filling elements panels are laid in the event of (a need for) high water protection.

Abstract: A floatable boom for concentrating brine shrimp eggs which are floating at or near the surface of a body of water. The floatable boom comprises a rigid, floatable tube, a skirt affixed to the lower portion of the tube and extending downward into the body of water, and a remotely controlled drive device for propelling the floatable boom through the body of water. The invention discloses two of the novel, floatable booms extending outwardly from a harvesting boat in a divergent manner, such that a wedge-shaped concentrating angle is formed between the booms. The invention further comprises a means of support for maintaining the wedge-shaped concentrating angle formed by the booms.

Abstract: A continuous oil containment boom foldable to a compact configuration for storage in standard size 8' by 8' by 20' shipping containers, arranged for quick deployment. The containment boom comprising a plurality of boom segments having a lower floatation member and an upper impermeable barrier that is inclined to extend over the layer of contaminants to further serve as a thermal shield barrier to lower the temperature in the area adjacent to the upper barrier. The boom segments being joined end-to-end by pivot joints having vertically oriented overlapping plates that are pivotally connected by a pivot hinge for relative pivotal movement about a horizontally axis, the pivot joints further having a pair of vertically oriented hinge assemblies for relative pivotal movement about a vertical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fire resistant boom connector for connecting adjacent oil containment booms. The boom connector includes cooperating connector portions, each of which include a base portion, an elbow portion, and a engaging portion. A slot bounded by the base portion, the elbow portion, and the engaging portion is adapted for receipt of a cooperative engaging portion to interengage the connector portions.

Abstract: Stationary zigzag breakwater embedded into the sea bottom or floating breakwater. The determining factor for the wave-reflecting characteristics and the structural stability of the breakwater is the appropriate dimensioning of the zigzag elements. In stationary breakwaters embedded into the sea bottom, the length (l) of the zigzag elements is at least equal to or greater, preferably 5 to 8 times as great or greater, than the depth of water (d). The total height (h) of the wave-reflecting side walls is at least equal to or greater than the depth of water (d), preferably 2 to 2.5 times greater than the depth of water (d). In floating breakwaters, the length (l) of the zigzag elements is at least equal to or greater than half of the maximum foreseeable wave length. The total height (h) of the wave-reflecting side walls (11) is at least equal to or greater than 1 to 1.5 times the maximum foreseeable wave height. The zigzag elements (7, 8) are interconnected by means of oscillation-damping connecting members (9).

Abstract: Floating barriers are provided with containment means (doublecoated with polyvinyl chloride) of woven twisted nylon thread and with low density polyurethane floating means. The two previous characteristics, along with a change in arrangement, size and shape of other means in current barriers, have surprisingly improved properties, such as wear resistance and use versatility, even under extreme conditions.

Abstract: An oil containment boom comprising a plurality of sections of a lighter than water, pliable, closed-cell foam material with each of the sections having a weight positioned along one side so that when the section is placed in the water the section floats with the weighted side beneath the water and the other side of the section above the water and a plurality of couplers for flexibly joining the ends of the sections to encloses an oil containment zone.

Abstract: A support structure for use with a fluid medium and including a plurality of buoys adapted for arrangement in a floating array at the surface of a body of the fluid medium and mooring elements connected between the buoys and adapted to prevent any substantial relative movement therebetween in directions parallel to the array and to allow substantial relative movement therebetween in directions perpendicular to the array.

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 simple barrier of the type having a series of buoyant tubular sections interconnected by a central cable and provided with a depending skirt. A portion of the skirt that is not attached at the joints is adapted to form an upwardly directed channel which effectively prevents the passage of pollutants through the openings at the joints without the necessity of directly sealing the openings.

Abstract: A floatable, fire-resistant spill containment boom that is easily deployable on the surface of a body of water is comprised of a series of fire-resistant planar main panels having flotation devices attached thereto to maintain the main panels in a substantially upright position when deployed. A portion of each panel is submerged and a portion is above the water to form a continuous barrier to contaminants spilled on the water surface. A first group of the main panels have flotation devices mounted directly on the faces of the panels, while a second group of panels has the flotation devices mounted thereon in outrigger fashion on arms pivotally attached to the main panel to carry the flotation devices between a deployed position spaced from the panel and a stowed position closely adjacent the panel. The main panels are connected by a semirigid coupling panel interposed between each pair of adjacent main panels and rigidly attached to said adjacent main panels.

Abstract: This floating boom comprises a flexible structure forming a barrier equipped with transverse stiffeners to which are secured floats adapted to support the flexible structure in a substantially vertical position in water. Each stiffener forms a buoyant unit with the floats secured thereto. The successive buoyant units are interconnected by an assembly of articulated linking rods longitudinally extending along the upper part of the boom. These longitudinal rods support the flexible structure which forms a barrier.

Abstract: Apparatus for confining an oil slick on the open seas and for skimming the oil from the ocean's surface and funneling it into a floating barge wherein the oil is separated for later processing. Oil is confined in an inverted triangular-shaped area by two flotatable booms each made up of a plurality of individual flotatable sections connected together. Thus, the booms can undulate in up and down fashion with the action of the waves. Oil and water is skimmed from the confined ocean's surface by a catcher and is funneled by the catcher into a flotatable oil recovery barge for later processing of the oil separated from the ocean water.

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: A floatable boom for concentrating brine shrimp eggs which are floating at or near the surface of a body of water. The floatable boom comprises a rigid, floatable tube, a skirt affixed to the lower portion of the tube and extending downward into the body of water, and a remotely controlled drive device for propelling the floatable boom through the body of water. The invention discloses two of the novel, floatable booms extending outwardly from a harvesting boat in a divergent manner, such that a wedge-shaped concentrating angle is formed between the booms. The invention further comprises a means of support for maintaining the wedge-shaped concentrating angle formed by the booms.