Patent ID: 8025460

Claim:
A method for containing and removing a contaminant spill in conditions of mixed ice and water, the method comprising: setting a contaminant and water resistant net using a main boat, the net having a length, a deployed depth and a means for monitoring oil depth around a portion of the oil spill; closing the net to enclose a first enclosed area of oil and water in the net; using rigging on the main boat to purse the net to reduce the size of the enclosed area; pursing the net until the contaminant has reached a chosen depth as detected by the means for monitoring oil depth in the enclosed area; pumping the contaminant out of the area into a container; repeat the steps of using rigging on the main boat, pursing the net and pumping the contaminant as needed until mostly contaminant and ice are in the net; drawing the net on board the main vessel as much as possible while reducing the size of the enclosed area; pumping contaminant out of the net while the net is being drawn on board; and removing any ice from the net that would prevent the net from being drawn on board.