An exemplary system and method for collecting and processing floating solid debris from a body of water on a vessel includes a debris recovery conveyor extending off the vessel and which receives floating solid debris from the body of water and delivers it to a first debris processor which fragments at least some of the debris received into smaller debris pieces.

Apparatus, systems and methods for collecting debris from a body of water onto a waterborne vessel include at least one inflow regulator (IFR) disposed at least partially in a cargo compartment of the vessel proximate to at least one intake opening at the front end of the vessel. Each IFR is configured so that the front end thereof floats at or near the surface of liquid contained in the cargo compartment to limit the inflow into the cargo compartment to debris/water which flows over the IFR and is disposed at or near the surface of the body of water.

A method for recovering a sunken material from a body of water having a water layer and a sediment layer, the sunken material present at a water-sediment interface is presented, comprising using an impermeable hollow column and a high density fluid to float the sunken material to the top of the column for readily removal of the floated sunken material using surface material removing equipment.

A sorbent-based oil skimmer is configured to collect oil from an oil layer and passively deposit the oil in an encasing, where the oil can be continuously or periodically removed. The oil skimmer includes an encasing and a sponge that is partially enclosed within the encasing. The sponge has a top sheet in contact with the oil layer and a shell connected to the top sheet, where the shell extends into the encasing. Oil collected by the top sheet is conveyed through the shell, where it is deposited into the encasing under the force of gravity. In some applications, the sponge is manufactured from a silicone-based polymer that has been impregnated with carbonaceous material. The skimmer may optionally include counterweights, ballast tanks, buoyancy adjustment systems and propulsion modules.

Systems, apparatus and methods useful for collecting debris from a body of water on a vessel having at least one cargo compartment and at least a first pump fluidly coupled to at least one cargo compartment and configured to concurrently draw water and debris from the body of water into, and remove water from, the cargo compartment(s) include at least a second pump, distinct from the first pump and configured to remove debris from at least one cargo compartment.

An apparatus for removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of water, comprising a platform having a left side wall, a right side wall, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area which does not affect the ballast of the platform. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propeller means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel.

A sea surface oil recovery device is provided, which comprises a storage cabin, an oil-water separation system and an oil-water collection system arranged on the storage cabin. The storage cabin is provided with an oil storage cabin, a water storage cabin, a separation cabin and a gas storage cabin which are separated from each other, and the storage cabin is provided with a water pipe for connecting the water storage cabin with the outside of the storage cabin. The oil-water separation system comprises a molecular semipermeable membrane for separating oil and water and a water suction pipe, wherein the molecular semipermeable membrane is arranged between the separation cabin and the water storage tank and connects the separation cabin with the water storage tank; the water suction pipe is arranged between the oil storage cabin and the separation cabin and connects the oil storage tank with each other.

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 oil spill clean-up and recovery system for marine vessels, which includes a pivoting and height adjustable boom extending from the vessels, which has upper and lower frameworks that are generally parallel. This includes an oil containment panel which is vertically oriented, movable, and generally laterally secured between the frameworks. A plurality of floats are secured to the oil containment panel and maintain it about the surface of a body of water for containing oil or other undesirable liquids or debris. A plurality of floating oil evacuation tubes are height adjustable and attached to separate floats, each tube having an inlet for receiving oil around the water line. The floating oil evacuation tubes are laterally positioned in proximity of one-another, and in front of the oil containment panel. The oil containment panel collects, contains, and deflects oil to the floating evacuation tubes, which then receive and delivery oil to the tanker.

The apparatus for removal of garbage from water comprises a garbage collecting system in a boat with at least one inlet to allow the liquid to flow into the garbage collecting system, a sump pump for pulling liquid into and through the garbage collecting system, and to an outlet of the system, and a collecting system to collect the garbage, wherein the sump pump pumps at such a speed to maintain the highest point on the bottom edge of the inlet at a level below the water line outside the body, and to maintain the water level within the body slightly below that of the water outside the body.