This design applies a catenary, the suspended-chain-like inner edge of the near figure above ; (based upon the hyperbolic cosine),

and the reflected positive limb of its hyperbolic sine sister curve, (the blade-like outer edge), to the problem of collecting oil from a spill or blowout from the surface of rough seas .

The form's cross-sections are elliptical, and except at center, are perpendicular to the outer edge .

At the center their height to width ratio is pi to one, and this is reduced along the limbs until at their ends the ratio is one to one, (circular) .

As the reduction is keyed to x input rather than to sweep, most of it occurs close to center ; (this can be changed) .

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I imagine that the limb's shape and structural integrity will or would be maintained by regular, ellipsoid section-braces, linked together by one or more high-strength, flexible lines and/or horizontal sheets ;

allowing them to move up and down freely with the waves, but tending to pull the limbs back into their overall shape if and when they are deflected to the side .

In use, it is meant to float half submerged, (as seen in the top figure), with most of the necessary ballast incorporated into the lower parts of the section braces .

The skin i imagine as of a flexible oil-resistant material, likely a form of rubber .

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A simple application would be to tow it behind two boats .

The oil would be guided to the high rearward wall where it would be, i hope, well contained in high seas, (up to a point) ;

and from there it could be collected using hoses connected to floats having the buoyancy of, (a heavier), crude oil .

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At the outside, in this direction, as i imagine it .:. The design has the potential to be matured into a heavy-weather vessel capable of interposing itself between a storm-driven slick and a shore-line .

To attempt this, the center section, (between the visible 'seams'), should be made of a rigid, high-strength material, and have a torpedo-like engine-pod submerged in the water at its base ; (the elliptical ratio could be increased to deepen this) .

The engines could power three sets of submerged propulsion and steering jets : a first at center, and a second and third in pods at the ends of the limbs .

Care would need to be given to the limbs that they be strong enough for the task, yet still flexible enough to ride the water .

Twisting-forces in particular might need to be addressed by an active system along their length .

The peak of the center tower would, (in this proposal within proposal), hold the bridge, and be separable from the rest of the craft as an escape craft if need be .

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The vessel would perform its own retrieval and preliminary separation of oil from the water, some at its water line, and some by means of scoops, (not shown), from the mix which blew and/or surged over the limb tops .

This could be pumped by flexible line to a heavy-weather tanker, or other container vessel for separation and storage, or incineration.