Patent ID: 7543612

Claim:
A fuel vent recovery system for preventing and containing fuel spillage, comprising: a hull-side fuel vent fitting, which comprises a vent and connects to a fuel vent passing through a hull of a vessel, said fuel vent fitting having an enlarged, bulbous, semi-spherical end; said fuel vent fitting including a vent inlet for receiving fuel discharged from the fuel vent passing through the hull of the vessel, wherein said vent inlet comprises a hollow shank for connecting to the fuel vent, and said hollow shank surrounds and defines an interior void through which fuel discharged from the fuel vent passes; said fuel vent fitting including an outboard flange that contacts and rests against the hull of the vessel; said fuel vent fitting further including a seal interface surface that is flared and angularly enlarged towards said bulbous end; an annular retaining ridge extending around the exterior circumference of said fitting; said fuel vent fitting including a vent outlet having an opening for releasing fuel expelled from the vessel into the recovery container; an annular ring seal having an outer wall and an inner wall defining a central aperture; wherein said inner wall is firmly attached around an outer surface of the fuel vent fitting; said fuel vent fitting flared seal interface surface contacting and engaging said annular seal; and a recovery container including: a side aperture defined by a perimeter wall and having a diameter shaped and sized to fit securely over and with a groove in the annular seal; and a top opening that is located at a position higher than the fuel vent fitting once said recovery container is installed.