Marine barrier

• Main Author: SANTAMARIA; JOSEPH P
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.11.1981
• Subjects: FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; FOUNDATIONS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; SOIL SHIFTING; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE

A marine barrier adapted for deployment as a curtain to divert the flow of water or for use as an oil containment boom and a method for installation thereof. The barrier typically includes a vertically disposed curtain having floats positioned in opposed relation along each side thereof in an outrigger configuration, and parallel, spaced, vertically aligned reinforcing ribs disposed within pockets formed on the surface of the curtain. The bottom edge of the curtain may be weighted with ballast to maintain its vertical orientation. When the barrier is used for diversion purposes, the bottom edge is anchored preferably by self-burying anchors. Typically, a plurality of parallel barriers are employed in a staggered configuration so as to create a baffle through which the water must flow. The diversion barrier typically is anchored along one edge to the shore and along another edge to a post within the body of water. The diversion curtain may be contoured along its bottom edge to conform to the shape of the bottom of the basin containing the water. When deployed as an oil containment boom, it surrounds the area containing the oil spill.