FAQs on Portable Sectional Poseidon Barge
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight will your barge hold?
Each Poseidon I, Poseidon II or Poseidon III 40’ x 10’ x 5’ barges will float 35,000 lbs dead weight at 2’6” draft. A 20’ x 10’ x 5’ barge will float 17,500 lbs dead weight at 2’6” draft. (For example, 6 – 40’ x 10’ x 5’ barges will float 210,000 lbs or 105 tons at 2’6” draft.)
What is draft? What is free board draft?
Draft is the amount of barge which is below the water surface. Free board draft is the amount of barge that is above the water line. For example, a P1 40' x 10' x 5' barge will draft empty at 1' and have a free board draft of 4'.
At what level does the barge draft empty in the water?
The Poseidon 1, Poseidon 2 & Poseidon 3 - 5' barges draft about 1’ or 12 inches empty.
How much do your barges weigh?
Poseidon I Barges
P1 - 40’ x 10’ x 5’ sections 23,500 lbs each
P1 - 20’ x 10’ x 5’ sections 12,600 lbs each
P1 - 10’ x 10’ x 5’ rake sections 6,500 lbs each
P1 - 5' Spud Pocket 1,250 lbs each
40’ x 18" Round Spuds 4,400 lbs each
30’ x 18" Round Spuds 3,300 lbs each
20’ x 18" Round Spuds 2,200 lbs each
P1 - 5' Hairpin Connector Pins 55 lbs each
Poseidon II Barges
P2 - 40’ x 10’ x 5’ sections 23,500 lbs each
P2 - 40' x 10' x 7' sections 33,000 lbs each
P2 - 20' x 10' x 5' sections 12,500 lbs each
P2 - 20' x 10' x 7' sections 17,070 lbs each
P2 - 5' Spud Pockets 2,550 lbs each
P2 - 7' Spud Pockets 4,350 lbse each
P2 - 7' 24" x 1/2" x 40' Round Spuds, 12,300 lbs
Poseidon III Barges
P3 40'4" x 10'4" x 5' Sections weight 23,700 lbs ea
The spud is an over sized “Nail” which anchors the barge in place by free falling the spud into the river or lake bottom. The spud is fabricated from 18” x 1/2” wall pipe, has a 20”sheave (a round thimble) at the bottom for P1 & P2 5' barges. The spud is for P2 - 7' barges is fabricated from 24" x 1/2" round pipe. The spud pocket mounts on the side of the barge at any two connection points.
How do I secure the barge in place while working?
The spuds are lowered into the ground below the surface of the water to anchor the barge in place. Depending on the surface of the ground and the water current, you may need to used 4 Spuds rather then 2 to anchor the barge in place. Spuds can be raised an lowered using a winch system or crane line. Additionally, we offer deck cleats which are attached to the top of the barge and can be used to tie off the barge to a close tree or bridge peer. If at anytime the cable is exposed to the open water between the barge and the anchor point, it is critical to mark the cable with bright Orange Vinyl ties so as to warn anyone approaching the job site with a boat or jet ski that the cable is in place and could be a hazard.
Do you have internal Spud Wells?
The spud pockets are external mount and are attached at any two connection points. This gives you the flexibility to position the spuds on your barge so that they are not in your way while completing your work.
How do you raise and lower the spuds?
The spuds can be raised and lowered with the crane or excavator on the barge. There is a lifting eye at the top of the spud. Make sure you have a choker long enough so that when the spud is position on the bottom of the river, you do not need a latter to climb up to release the crane line. Also, we rent and sell winches for you to raise and lower the spuds. You would provide the 5/8” steel cable needed for this.
What is the difference between the Poseidon I, Poseidon II barge and Poseidon III barge?
The Poseidon 1 Barge has a Rendrag® compatible connection system. The majority of our rental fleet is the Poseidon I style barge. It is the easiest of the three connection systems to assemble and knock down. The Poseidon 2 Barge has a Flexifloat® compatible connection system. If you already own Flexifloat barges and wish to rent or purchase additional units, this would be an option for you. The Poseidon 3 Barges has a Shugart® compatible connection system. If you already own Shugart® Barges, our units will pin up to theres, are less expensive to transport by truck and are easier to rig with the single pick lifting clevis in the top center of the barge.
How do you transport your barges?
Poseidon Sectional Barges are transported via tractor trailer trucks. We have local trucking companies who can haul two-Poseidon 1 Poseidon 2 or Poseidon 3 - 40’ x 10’ x 5’ trucks on a step deck trailer. There is a limited number of light weight trailer available so the more notice you give us the more likely we will be able to accommodate your needs. You may arrange for your own freight as well.
Our corporate office and main inventory location is in Fort Wayne, IN. We also have satalite distribution yards located in Blytheville, AR; Cocoa, FL; New Bedford, MA; Vallejo, CA, Rockingham, NC, Houston, TX, Aiea, Hawaii & we have a dealer in Seattle, WA.
We will assist you in arranging freight. It is the contractor’s responsibility to pay for both incoming and outgoing freight.
Am I responsible for damages to the barge while in my use?
The contractor is responsible for all repairs to the barges upon return from the project. We ask that you use crane matting to protect the surface of the barge when walking equipment onto the barges. This will keep the tops from rolling. This will also help to spread the load over a larger portion of the barge configuration. Any brackets welded to the barge must be removed and the remaining weldment ground off before returning the barges. Pictures and estimates for repairs will be forwarded to you as quickly as possible. Repair charges will be invoiced back to you.
The contractor is responsible for insuring the barges while they are in your possession. We will need a Certificate of Insurance naming Mid-America Foundation Supply as an "Additional Insured" under your general liability policy, plus listing us as a "Loss Payee" under your equipment floater policy for dual protection against physical damage. The insurance value would be the original purchase price.
How thick is the steel in your barge?
The exterior bottoms, sides and ends are fabricated with grade A36 - 1/4" steel. The tops are fabricated with an 1/8" cold rolled steel (patent pending) material boasting a 20,000 psf point load capacity. This material was originally used on the bottoms of rail road cars.
How do you move the barges once they are in the water?
We offer a 110 HP Hydraulic Barge Pusher unit that is attached to the back of our barge section. This unit has an adjustable propeller system that offers 180 degree turning with forward and reverse. Using our unit eliminates the need for a full time Captain sitting in a tug boat. You may also move the barges around using a fishing boat with a 75 to 100 HP outboard engine. Care must be taken to use a bumpber system to protect the sides of the barge from damage when using your boat or a tugboat with push knees.
We currently offer a ramp for the P2 - 5' barges and are designing a smilar ramp section for P1 - 5' barges as well as P2 - 7' barges. Another cost effective way to load your equpment on the barges is to use your 12" wood crane mats. The barges should remain free floating while the equipment weight transitions from the land to the barge.
May I push the barges up on to the river bank and then load my equipment?
NO! This will cause damage to the barges! The barges must remain free floating while equipment is on the barges.
May I use the barges while they are resting on the bottom of the river, lake or swamp?
The Poseidon Barges are designed to be used only when floating in the water. “Beaching” the barges will create pivot points between the barge that is beached and the barge that is floating. Depending on the weight of the equipment, the connections will either crush in at the top or be pulled out at the bottom.
Our barges are designed to carry weight only when free floating in the water.
Poseidon I, Poseidon II & Poseidon III barges which were built beginning in 2010 are built with a 24" standard hatches in the tops of the barges. Older units are accessible using the 4 ballast tubes in the top corners of the barges.
Do your barges have multiple ballast compartments?
Our barges are equipped with ballast tubes on the four corners of the barge. There are not sealed baffle walls on the interior. Ballast water can be added but must be removed prior to shipping the barges back. This can be done by using a small portable pump line down through the ballast tube or you can open up a ballast tube on opposite ends, attach an air compressor line and blow the water out the other end. P2 - 40' x 10' x 7' barges are equipped with a separate 500 gallon ballast tank with drain and fill tubes. This can be used for fresh water storage as well as ballasting the barge so that it floats at the same level as the competitors barge.
We can apply some rental payments towards the purchase of the barges however for your long term projects, it is best to arrange for lease financing ahead of time. This way, like your house mortgage, some of the payment each month is applied to the purchase value of the barge. We work with Leasecorp, Inc in Noblesville, IN. Leasecorp provides a number of different finance options and also offers flexible payment terms.
May I purchase the barges at the end of the rental?
You may purchase the barges at the end of the rental however we can not apply all of your rental payments towards the purchase price of the barges. If you wish to purchase the barges, purchase terms are negotiated and agreed upon up front.
Do you offer assistance during set up of the barges?
Our sales representatives will assist you in setting up the barges. Typical setup depending on the size of the platform, can be completed in less then a day. This can be scheduled while arranging for delivery of the barges.
