A novel water-borne debris collection system integrated into a waterborne vessel for collecting surface and near surface debris in a body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. The apparatus may include a solid collection boom that projects laterally from a vessel and is partially submerged to act as a collection mechanism. The boom also facilitates the propulsion of the vessel by providing a barrier across which a differential water surface level may be created to drive the vessel forward. The apparatus may include a pumping system that draws water from the anterior side of the screen and for multiple purposes, including processing the collected water to remove plastics and other pollutant and debris material therefrom, and to transfer the water to the posterior side of the screen to create the differential water level for driving the vessel forward.

A novel water-borne debris collection system integrated into a waterborne vessel for collecting surface and near surface debris in a body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. The apparatus may include a solid collection boom that projects laterally from a vessel and is partially submerged to act as a collection mechanism. The boom also facilitates the propulsion of the vessel by providing a barrier across which a differential water surface level may be created to drive the vessel forward. The apparatus may include a pumping system that draws water from the anterior side of the screen and for multiple purposes, including processing the collected water to remove plastics and other pollutant and debris material therefrom, and to transfer the water to the posterior side of the screen to create the differential water level for driving the vessel forward.

A novel water-borne debris collection system integrated into a waterborne vessel for collecting surface and near surface debris in a body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. The apparatus may include a solid collection boom that projects laterally from a vessel and is partially submerged to act as a collection mechanism. The boom also facilitates the propulsion of the vessel by providing a barrier across which a differential water surface level may be created to drive the vessel forward. The apparatus may include a pumping system that draws water from the anterior side of the screen and for multiple purposes, including processing the collected water to remove plastics and other pollutant and debris material therefrom, and to transfer the water to the posterior side of the screen to create the differential water level for driving the vessel forward.

An apparatus for collecting floating marine debris comprises a frame, a debris collection container in communication with a rear opening of the frame, a pair of helicoidal screws mounted to the frame in a symmetrical V-arrangement that tapers inwardly from a front opening of the frame to the rear opening, and at least one prime mover rotationally coupled to the pair of helicoidal screws. The prime mover is operable to rotate the helicoidal screws in opposite directions at the same angular velocity in water to move the apparatus forward through the water, such that floating marine debris enters the apparatus through the front opening, passes through the rear opening and is collected in the debris collection container.

An apparatus for collecting floating marine debris comprises a frame, a debris collection container in communication with a rear opening of the frame, a pair of helicoidal screws mounted to the frame in a symmetrical V-arrangement that tapers inwardly from a front opening of the frame to the rear opening, and at least one prime mover rotationally coupled to the pair of helicoidal screws. The prime mover is operable to rotate the helicoidal screws in opposite directions at the same angular velocity in water to move the apparatus forward through the water, such that floating marine debris enters the apparatus through the front opening, passes through the rear opening and is collected in the debris collection container.

The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for utilizing commercial cargo containers. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. The containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, can move autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location.

Aerodynamic aquatic weed removal and decontamination devices and decontamination methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, the aerodynamic aquatic weed removal and decontamination device includes a boat body and a shore-based device for remotely controlling the boat body. The boat body includes a power unit, a weed removal and decontamination unit, a positioning system, an environment perception system, and a shipborne controller. The power unit includes an engine, a propeller connected to the engine, and a rudder servo motor configured to control a heading of the boat body. The weed removal and decontamination unit includes a mesh conveyor. The positioning system includes a positioner configured to obtain real-time location information and heading information of the boat body. The environment perception system includes a wind sensor and a visual sensor. The shipborne controller is configured to control a navigation state of the boat body.

Aerodynamic aquatic weed removal and decontamination devices and decontamination methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, the aerodynamic aquatic weed removal and decontamination device includes a boat body and a shore-based device for remotely controlling the boat body. The boat body includes a power unit, a weed removal and decontamination unit, a positioning system, an environment perception system, and a shipborne controller. The power unit includes an engine, a propeller connected to the engine, and a rudder servo motor configured to control a heading of the boat body. The weed removal and decontamination unit includes a mesh conveyor. The positioning system includes a positioner configured to obtain real-time location information and heading information of the boat body. The environment perception system includes a wind sensor and a visual sensor. The shipborne controller is configured to control a navigation state of the boat body.

A marine monitoring and debris collection scow is provided, the scow comprising: a hull which includes an open stern, a bow opposite the open stern, a deck extending between the open stern and the bow and forming a bottom on an underside, the bottom extending between the open stern and the bow; a frame, the frame which is attached to the deck, the frame including a front, a back which is opposite the front and sides extending between the front and the back; at least one flotation chamber which extends around the sides and the front of the frame and forms a gunwale; a housing mounted on the deck; and a microcontroller unit housed in the housing, the microcontroller unit configured to receive a data set from at least one sensor, to store the data set, to process the data set into a processed data set and to send the processed data set to a radio.

A marine monitoring and debris collection scow is provided, the scow comprising: a hull which includes an open stern, a bow opposite the open stern, a deck extending between the open stern and the bow and forming a bottom on an underside, the bottom extending between the open stern and the bow; a frame, the frame which is attached to the deck, the frame including a front, a back which is opposite the front and sides extending between the front and the back; at least one flotation chamber which extends around the sides and the front of the frame and forms a gunwale; a housing mounted on the deck; and a microcontroller unit housed in the housing, the microcontroller unit configured to receive a data set from at least one sensor, to store the data set, to process the data set into a processed data set and to send the processed data set to a radio.