US 12,263,922 B2
Equipment, systems and vessels, for the effective cleanup and recovery of a broad range of floating contaminants
Robert Marshall Campbell, Miami, FL (US)
Filed by Robert Marshall Campbell, Miami, FL (US)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/707,858.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/167,615, filed on Mar. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0363353 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B63B 35/32 (2006.01); E02B 15/08 (2006.01); E02B 15/10 (2006.01)
CPC B63B 35/32 (2013.01) [E02B 15/0842 (2013.01); E02B 15/104 (2013.01); E02B 15/106 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
12. A vessel for removing contaminants floating on or near the surface of a body of water, the vessel comprising:
a contaminant cleanup and recovery equipment comprising at least one intake port capable of removing floating contaminants from the body of water to be transported to the vessel;
a first towboat and a second towboat;
a first containment boom capable of being connected to the first tow boat and to a starboard side of the vessel; and
a second containment boom capable of being connected to the second tow boat and a port side of the vessel, such that during operation the first and second towboats extend out from the vessel such that the first and second containment booms gather the floating contaminants from the body of water and channel them to the at least one intake port;
wherein the first towboat comprises:
a hull comprising a deck, a keel and an aft portion;
a pivoting axle comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the pivoting axle extending through the hull such that the upper portion is disposed above the deck and the lower portion is disposed beneath the keel;
an upper pivotable armature having a first end disposed on the upper portion of the pivoting axle, and a second end;
a lower pivotable armature having a first end disposed on the lower portion of the pivoting axle, and a second end;
a connecting member connecting the upper pivotable armature and the lower pivotable armature behind the aft portion of the hull;
wherein the upper and lower armatures can pivot around the aft portion of the hull.