Patent ID: 8048300

Claim:
A vessel operable to recover contaminants floating on the surface of the water comprising: a hull, said hull having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion further including a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member, said first longitudinal member and said second longitudinal member being on opposing sides of the beam of the vessel, said first longitudinal member and said second longitudinal member having a space therebetween, said second portion being the bow of the vessel; a contaminant collection assembly, said contaminant collection assembly being intermediate said first and second longitudinal members, said contaminant collection assembly being movably secured to said hull, said contaminant collection assembly operable to move in an upwards-downwards direction, said contaminant collection assembly further including at least one drum, said at least one drum being rotatably mounted, said at least one drum having at least one blade secured thereto, said at least one blade being generally perpendicular to the surface of said at least one drum; a transfer assembly, said transfer assembly being aft of said at least one drum, said transfer assembly configured to receive contaminants from said at least one drum, said transfer assembly having a plurality of walls and a bottom forming an interior volume; a collection chamber, said collection chamber being operably coupled to said transfer assembly, said collection chamber configured to receive contaminants from said transfer assembly, said collection chamber having at least one wall forming an interior volume; at least one separation tank, said at least one separation tank operably coupled to said collection chamber, said at least one separation tank operable to store contaminants received from said collection chamber; a transfer blade, said transfer blade being disposed within said transfer assembly, said transfer blade being generally helical in shape, said transfer blade operable to move contaminants in a direction towards said collection chamber; and wherein said contaminant collection assembly further includes a floor, said floor operable to be placed generally beneath the water line of the vessel, said floor being manufactured from expanded metal, said floor having a plurality of apertures, said floor having a forward edge proximate the bow of the vessel.