BARGE BASED SKIMMING SYSTEM FOR OIL SLICKS

A barge based skimming system for oil slicks and method for use thereof wherein the oil phase is concentrated relative to the water phase prior to its introduction into a final separating compartment wherein the oil is reclaimed in a conventional manner. A barge mounted wave reflector and boom arrangement diverts oil and water into open bottom chutes positioned on either side of a barge. The wave action is damped at the upstream end of the chutes and a skimming operation is performed downstream thereof to divert floating oil upwardly onto a shelf-like structure while allowing the underlying water to continue its passage through the open bottom chute. The shelf structure then directs the oil to a relatively quiescent area defined by a separating container at the rear of the barge where a second separating operation is conducted and the oil reclaimed.