Method for confining an uncontrolled flow of hydrocarbon liquids

Method for confining an uncontrolled outflowing stream of hydrocarbon fluids from a source thereof at the floor of a body of water, which method comprises the steps of;

• positioning a floating vessel at the water's surface above said source of hydrocarbon fluids, said vessel comprising a hull, a plurality of controlled buoyant floats which depend downwardly from the hull to support the latter beyond the water's surface, and a controlled buoyancy raft releasably connected to the respective floats,
• locating a plurality of anchor members at the ocean floor, being spaced about said hydrocarbon fluid source, each of said anchor members including a tension line which extends to the vessel and is adjustable to draw said vessel downward against the buoyant action of said buoyant floats whereby to substantially align the floating vessel above the hydrocarbon fluid source,
• applying a tent element to said raft to define a fluid confining enclosure thereon,
• and guidably lowering the raft along the respective anchor member tension lines, whereby said tent element will be disposed above said hydrocarbon fluid source in position to receive said uncontrolled outflowing stream of hydrocarbon fluids.