An oil recovery system for removing an oil spill from the surface of a body of water, the system comprising: a frame (16,30); first and second frame rollers (18,32)(108,110) rotatably supported on the frame (16,30); a belt extending between the first and second rollers (18,32)(108,110), the belt having a first layer of oleophilic material, a second layer of oleophilic material, and a third central reinforcing scrim layer between the first and second layers; and a press roller including upper and lower rollers (112,114)(112',114') for pressing against opposing upper and lower surfaces of the belt to remove oil from the belt; characterised in that: at least one of the upper and lower rollers (112,114)(112',114') includes a sprocket; and in that the system further comprises: a first chain extending along a first side edge of the belt, the chain being driven by the sprocket; and a connecting system to connect the first chain to the first side edge, the connecting system including a plurality of flanges extending from the first chain to the first side edge, a reinforcing cord adjacent the plurality of flanges and extending along the first side edge, a reinforcing strip wrapped around the reinforcing cord, the reinforcing strip attached to and extending along the side edge to connect the cord to the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52); and a plurality of pins, each one of the plurality of pins extending through a corresponding flange of the plurality of flanges, the reinforcing strip, and the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52). a frame (16,30); first and second frame rollers (18,32)(108,110) rotatably supported on the frame (16,30); a belt extending between the first and second rollers (18,32)(108,110), the belt having a first layer of oleophilic material, a second layer of oleophilic material, and a third central reinforcing scrim layer between the first and second layers; and a press roller including upper and lower rollers (112,114)(112',114') for pressing against opposing upper and lower surfaces of the belt to remove oil from the belt; characterised in that: at least one of the upper and lower rollers (112,114)(112',114') includes a sprocket; and in that the system further comprises: a first chain extending along a first side edge of the belt, the chain being driven by the sprocket; and a connecting system to connect the first chain to the first side edge, the connecting system including a plurality of flanges extending from the first chain to the first side edge, a reinforcing cord adjacent the plurality of flanges and extending along the first side edge, a reinforcing strip wrapped around the reinforcing cord, the reinforcing strip attached to and extending along the side edge to connect the cord to the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52); and a plurality of pins, each one of the plurality of pins extending through a corresponding flange of the plurality of flanges, the reinforcing strip, and the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52). at least one of the upper and lower rollers (112,114)(112',114') includes a sprocket; and in that the system further comprises: a first chain extending along a first side edge of the belt, the chain being driven by the sprocket; and a connecting system to connect the first chain to the first side edge, the connecting system including a plurality of flanges extending from the first chain to the first side edge, a reinforcing cord adjacent the plurality of flanges and extending along the first side edge, a reinforcing strip wrapped around the reinforcing cord, the reinforcing strip attached to and extending along the side edge to connect the cord to the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52); and a plurality of pins, each one of the plurality of pins extending through a corresponding flange of the plurality of flanges, the reinforcing strip, and the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52). a first chain extending along a first side edge of the belt, the chain being driven by the sprocket; and a connecting system to connect the first chain to the first side edge, the connecting system including a plurality of flanges extending from the first chain to the first side edge, a reinforcing cord adjacent the plurality of flanges and extending along the first side edge, a reinforcing strip wrapped around the reinforcing cord, the reinforcing strip attached to and extending along the side edge to connect the cord to the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52); and a plurality of pins, each one of the plurality of pins extending through a corresponding flange of the plurality of flanges, the reinforcing strip, and the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52). a plurality of flanges extending from the first chain to the first side edge, a reinforcing cord adjacent the plurality of flanges and extending along the first side edge, a reinforcing strip wrapped around the reinforcing cord, the reinforcing strip attached to and extending along the side edge to connect the cord to the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52); and a plurality of pins, each one of the plurality of pins extending through a corresponding flange of the plurality of flanges, the reinforcing strip, and the first, second, and third belt layers (50,50,52).