Floating, surface liquids retrieval system

A buoyant apparatus for collecting liquids floating on the surface of water, comprising:

• a. a basic body having an internal liquid collecting chamber having flotation means associated therewith for providing flotation to said body;
• b. at least three intake port located adjacent to and in communication with said collecting chamber arranged to allow for the passage of the liquid from the exterior to said collecting chamber said intake ports being positioned and spaced at least generally equally about the periphery of said basic body;
• c. at least three floating screw means connected to said basic body and extending radially out there from a number of feet for pulling the surface liquids to said intake port inwardly from a distance many feet away from said basic body, said floating screw means being likewise positioned and spaced at least generally equally about the periphery of said basic body, each said floating screw means having independently operable drive means for independently and controllably rotating said screw means to propel and guide the direction of travel of said basic body across the water surface;
• d. gravity separator means integrally combined with said collecting chamber for further separating the floating liquids and the water;
• and
• e. liquid pick-up means in said collecting chamber including pumping means for pumping up the liquids for pick-up and ultimate removal of the liquids from the water.