Patent attributes
A fluid pollution prevention system is provided for preventing the discharge of petrochemicals from a bilge of a marine vessel. The system may include either or both a locator and an absorber for isolating and/or absorbing hazardous waste from a fluid in the bilge. In one embodiment, the locator is a continuous sidewall or barrier that defines a vertically enclosed fluid volume that is isolated from petrochemicals floating on the surface of fluid in a bilge. The absorber forms a closed geometric shape having an interior area that is disposable about the sidewall and movable along the sidewall as a function of fluid height. The absorber functions to absorb petrochemicals from the fluid and isolate an inlet of the bilge pump from receipt of the same. The absorber may be opened and closed to facilitate placement about the sidewall or other objects.