Abstract

A deployable spill containment boom which, when not in use, is stored along a shoreline. Attached to one end of the deployable boom is a floatation device. The boom is deployed into a moving waterway by means of a cable to which the boom is attached. The deployment cable runs through a pulley attached to an anchor permanently located on the bottom of the river. The other end of the deployment cable is attached to a winch system located on shore on a "take-up" reel. During an oil spill, the system is actuated by a radio signal. The take up reel reels in one end of the deployment cable and a "supply reel" pays out the cable through the anchored pully cable. The deployable boom is then pulled away from the shoreline. Since the boom floats it remains on the surface of the water while the cable is deployed The deployment cable winding operation causes the boom to be extended out into the river. The end of the boom with the floatation device extends into the river to the location above the anchor. In this fashion a floating boom is extended into the flow of the river. The angle of deployment with respect to the river current causes all oil to be channeled toward the shore where a pump system can pump the pollutants from the water into holding tanks. A boom tension device is utilized to the boom in contact with the water at the shoreline.