An apparatus or system for containing oil and the like floating on the surface of a body of water, comprising a relatively elongate channel defined by two side-defining faces that diverge from one another from a narrow inner end to a wider opening, the channel being movable such as by towing with the aid of one or more vessels, which apparatus is made of non-rigid materials. The apparatus comprises a tapered channel portion between the two side-defining faces, a wedge-shaped structure and a collecting means or separator, wherein the tapered channel portion, the wedge-shaped structure and the separator are arranged one after the other as interconnected or integrated units, thereby forming a continuous "hull" having freeboard, and longitudinal towing devices are provided that are fastened to said units, the said towing devices and thus the towing forces intersecting in an area at the rear end of said wedge-shaped structure seen in the towing direction.