Apparatus for controlling submarine oil leakage

Apparatus for controlling leakage from a submarine oil source near the sea bottom, said apparatus comprising non-buoyant submergible downwardly opening collection receptacle means having rigid substantially impervious top and side walls for cooperating with the sea bottom to define a substantial enclosure containing the oil source, buoyancy means for supporting at least a portion of the weight of said receptacle means to aid in underwater maneuverability during positioning of said receptacle means at a submarine site and including at least one distensible envelope having collapsed and distended conditions, said envelope being attached to said receptacle means above said top wall and movable between active and inactive position being in collapsed condition and disposed generally adjacent said top wall, said envelope in its active position being in its distended condition and extending laterally outwardly in spaced relation to said top wall, means for introducing fluid under pressure into and releasing fluid under pressure from said envelope to alter the condition of said envelope, and means for recovering collected oil from said enclosure.