JBF Environmental Delivers Oil Recovery Boats

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) purchased three oil recovery boats from JBF Environmental Technology. The vessels will be stationed at the harbors of Providence and Jamestown, where oil storage and transfer operations are concentrated. The three boats are the JBF model 420, which is a square-bowed, flat-bottomed mini-barge operated by a crew of two. The 23 x 8 ft. boats are deployed like any powerboat from a boat ramp, or with a crane. Powered by twin Honda four-stroke outboard engines, they can speed to an incident at up to 25 knots. Each boat can hold 1,320 gallons of recovered spill in its hull, and has a draft of six in. light, and 18 in. fully loaded. To collect oil, the boats feature the JBF model DIP400 skimming system, which employs the Dynamic Inclined Plane (DIP) technology. Lowered over the bow with a gallows frame, the skimmer is advanced into a spill at two to three knots to collect and separate oil from the water. It is capable of harvesting 9.5 gallons (225 barrels) of product per hour. The aft pilothouse provides for a clear view of the working deck. The boat can accommodate twin outboards up to 130 hp each. It is further equipped with a 13 hp hydraulic power supply, navigation lights, deck flood lights, search light, compass, anchor and all lines. The entire vessel is constructed of .25 in. marine grade aluminum. Circle XX Vessel Specifications Length: 23 ft. Beam: 8.5 ft. Draft: Six in. light, 18 in. fully loaded Displacement: 4,000 lbs light, 13,600 lbs loaded Storage Capacity: 1,320 gallons in in-hull tank Transit speed: 15-22 knots light, 5-8 knots loaded Oil recovery system: JBF DIP400 Effective oil collection speed: 1-3 knots Oil recovery efficiency: 95 percent (less than five percent water in recovered product)