Patent ID: 8894325

Claim:
Apparatus for underwater hydrocarbon fluid spill containment, comprising: a submerged hydrocarbon fluid collector freely suspended above at least a plume from an underwater hydrocarbon leak, having an opening for receiving and collecting fluids emanating from the underwater hydrocarbon leak in the at least a plume; a flotation assembly positioned below surface, intermediate the surface and the submerged hydrocarbon fluid collector; a conduit extending between the hydrocarbon fluid collector and the flotation assembly for flowing fluids collected in the hydrocarbon fluid collector to the flotation assembly, for transport to the surface; and thrusters on at least the hydrocarbon fluid collector for moving the hydrocarbon fluid collector, wherein the hydrocarbon fluid collector is freely suspended without positioning cables and without being anchored; and the thrusters move at least the hydrocarbon fluid collector laterally, vertically or both to position the at least the hydrocarbon collector with respect to the at least the plume from the underwater hydrocarbon leak.