Patent ID: 7780850

Claim:
A floating petrochemical barrier for positioning around a bilge water removal device positioned within a bilge of a marine vessel, comprising: a grated member having a first end and a second end disposable in an abutting relationship to define a closed geometric shape having an open interior area, said grated member further including a grated outer sidewall extending from said first end to said second end of said grated member; a buoyant member having a first end and a second end disposable in an abutting relationship to define a closed geometric shape, said buoyant member further including a continuous sidewall that is solid between a top edge and a bottom edge of said buoyant member and solid and continuous from said first end to said second end of said buoyant member and provides a physical barrier to the entry of floating petrochemicals into the open interior area of said grated member, wherein said buoyant member is sized to maintain a surface level of fluid in a bilge of a marine vessel between a top edge and a bottom edge of the floating petrochemical barrier; a petrochemical absorbing material for absorbing petrochemicals disposed between said grated outer sidewall and said continuous sidewall of said buoyant member and extending from a first end to a second end of said grated member; and a connector for selectively connecting said first and second ends of said grated member.