Patent ID: 8557121

Claim:
A modular, oil skimming system to reduce or minimize the effects of a spreading of a spillage or leakage of liquid hydrocarbons on a body of water comprising: a plurality of traps suited for end-to-end disposition upon a body of water, each of the plurality of traps having a top panel, a bottom panel, side panels and end panels, the panels connected to form a cavity therein and the panels being constructed of a material to allow the flow of fluid therethrough; an oil sorbent material disposed within each of the plurality of traps, the oil sorbent material comprising bonded polymeric fibers; a deflector assembly disposed between two adjacent traps of the plurality of traps, said deflector assembly capable to minimize fluid flow in a space between the adjacent traps; and a plurality of flexible ropes extending between each of the two adjacent traps, each of the plurality of flexible ropes haying a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the front panel of one of the two adjacent traps and the second end being connected to the front panel of another of the two adjacent traps, each of the plurality of flexible ropes extending through one or more openings formed in the deflector assembly, wherein the plurality of flexible ropes connects and holds together the plurality of traps in a series and allows for the towing of the plurality of traps in the series.