Boom system for encircling vessel

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for use during in-water scrubbing of a vessel hull, which system and method are designed to substantially reduce or eliminate environmental contamination of the water surrounding a vessel during in-water cleaning. The system includes a curtain formed of a substantially impermeable fabric material, the curtain being sized and configured whereby, upon installation into a body of water about a vessel, the curtain is capable of encircling the vessel in its entirety to define a confined region; a fluid pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the confined region defined by the curtain; and one or more ports that deliver water into the confined region during operation of the fluid pump.

1 . A system for use during in-water scrubbing of a vessel hull, the system comprising:
 a curtain formed of a substantially impermeable fabric material, the curtain being sized and configured whereby, upon installation into a body of water about a vessel, the curtain is capable of encircling the vessel in its entirety to define a confined region;   a fluid pump having an inlet in fluid communication with the confined region defined by the curtain; and   one or more ports that deliver water into the confined region during operation of the fluid pump.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support members having an end capable of being coupled to a vessel hull. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the end comprises a plate adapted for welding to the vessel hull. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the end comprises a magnet. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric material is substantially impermeable to materials larger than about 10 microns. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric material is substantially water impermeable. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the curtain comprises an upper edge having a sleeve, the system further comprising a plurality of flotation members positioned within the sleeve. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of flotation members are formed of expanded polystyrene. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more ports comprise a filter. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the curtain is configured to define a trough which, in use, is positioned substantially beneath the vessel and the fluid pump is in communication with the confined region at the trough. 
   
   
       11 . A combination of a vessel having a hull, and the system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel and the curtain are positioned in water, with the curtain encircling the vessel in its entirety to define a confined region. 
   
   
       12 . The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of support members are connected to the vessel hull and the curtain is suspended from the plurality of support members. 
   
   
       13 . The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the curtain further defines a trough positioned substantially beneath the vessel. 
   
   
       14 . The combination according to  claim 13 , wherein the pump is positioned on a support barge and the combination further comprises a conduit in fluid communication between the pump and the trough defined by the curtain. 
   
   
       15 . The combination according to  claim 11 , wherein the pump is positioned on a support barge and the combination further comprises a conduit in fluid communication between the pump and the confined region defined by the curtain. 
   
   
       16 . The combination according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a filtration system in communication with the pump, wherein water withdrawn from the trough by the pump is delivered into the filtration system prior to discharging the water.   
   
   
       17 . The combination according to  claim 16 , wherein the filtration system comprises a solid filtration system, a chemical filtration system, a purification system, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       18 . A method of cleaning a vessel hull comprising:
 installing a system according to  claim 1  about a vessel, with the curtain encircling the vessel in its entirety to define a confined region;   cleaning the hull of the vessel to remove debris; and   withdrawing water from the confined region to recover debris removed from the hull during said cleaning.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said withdrawing creates a negative pressure in the confined region, and water from outside the confined region flows into the confined region via one or more ports. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising:
 filtering water withdrawn from the confined region; and   discharging filtered water into the water outside the confined region.