Floating standoff assembly

Abstract

A standoff system for keeping a containment boom or other floating barrier device spaced at a desired standoff distance away from a structure. The system includes an inner side member, an outer side member, and a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members. The system has a collapsed configuration in which the distance between the inner and outer side members is less than the desired standoff distance, and a deployed configuration in which the distance between the side members is greater than or substantially equal to the desired standoff distance. Alternatively, the system can be collapsed longitudinally by moving the adjacent compression members into abutting relationship with each other. The system is towed into place in the collapsed configuration, and once in place, is transformed into the deployed configuration by applying tension to the side members. The system also may include one or more tension members attached diagonally between adjacent compression members to keep the system in the deployed configuration. The standoff system can be a separate, free-standing structure placed between a ship and a boom or it can be integrated with a containment boom.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A standoff system for providing a desired minimum standoff distance between a floating device and an adjacent structure, the system comprising:
 an inner side member;   an outer side member;   a plurality of compression members disposed between the side members, each compression member having an inward end attached to the inner side member and an outward end attached to the outer side member, the inward ends being spaced a first distance apart from each other and the outward ends being spaced a second distance apart from each other;   the compression members having a first, collapsed orientation in which the compression members are disposed at first angles relative to the side members such that the distance between the side members is less than the desired standoff distance; and   the compression members having a second, deployed orientation in which the compression members are disposed at second angles relative to the side members, the second angles being greater than the first angles such that the distance between the inner side member and the outer side member is substantially equal to or greater than the desired standoff distance.