Patent ID: 6874174

Claim:
A pool insulation system including storage means for storing a plurality of buoyant articles, first transfer means for transferring said buoyant articles from the storage means to the pool for covering and heat insulating the surface of the pool and second transfer means for transferring the buoyant articles from the pool to the storage means, wherein the second transfer means comprises a buoyant flexible boom comprising a plurality of joined together buoyant members, said flexible boom having a leading end, a motorized craft manoeuvrable around the periphery of the pool with the leading end of the boom attached thereto for enclosing said buoyant articles on the surface of the pool in an enclosure defined by the trailing flexible boom on the surface of the pool and a wall portion of the pool from or adjacent which the articles are to be removed from the pool, and means for changing the length of the flexible boom on the surface of the pool wherein said motorized craft is designed so as to steer to one side in use so that it is able to hug the peripheral walls of the pool.