A minimum 80 ton crane is required to off load the barges from the truck to the water. Each barge has a single lifting clevis in the top of the barge for easy loading and unloading. Poseidon I -10’ x 40’ x 5’ barge weigh 23,500 lbs. Poseidon II-10’ x 40’ x 5’ Sectional Barges weigh 24,200 lbs each. Barges are assembled by threading rope or chain through the rope thimbles on the sides of the barge and pulling them together.

The Poseidon 1 barge has a Rendrag® compatible connection system. Hairpin connectors are dropped into position. The 40’ x 10’ x 5’ barges are equipped with 8 connection points on the sides and 2 connection points on the end. Each 40’ x 10’ x 5’ barge can support 35,000 lbs at a 2’6” draft.

The Poseidon 2 barge has a Flexifloat® compatible connection system. The internal locking clasp is pried up with a lifting bar. The barges are pulled together using ropes. An alternative method would be to run a small choker through both rope thimbles and lift up slightly with the crane. This will draw the bottom of the barges together. The barges need to be near touching before the locking bar will drop down at the top or the bottom. The locking clasp may be tapped into the locked position with a small hammer.

The contractor must rent crane mats from Poseidon Barge Corporation or supply and use oak or yellow pine 8” – 12” crane mats when using cranes, excavators or any other pieces of equipment with steel crawler tracks or rubber tire equipment. Below are examples of damage that has occured to barges when they are not used properly. The skin surface of the barge is made of A-36 1/4” steel plating. Damage to the barges on the project will be repaired and invoiced back to the contractor. Pictures of the damages will be taken along with an estimate of the repairs prior to the work being completed for the contractor’s review. Below is a sampling of pictures from damaged equipment returned after the project.

THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.

Rolled tops or wash-boarding occurs as a result of not using wood mats. Damaged corners and end panels occured when the sides and ends of the barge were hit with an excavator bucket or with the push knees of the tug boat. The tops, sides and ends of these barges were replaced and costs were passed on to the contractor. The exterior plate is cut out and removed along with interior damaged angles and structure. Replacement parts are welded in place, coated with bio-float rust inhibitor on the interior and the exterior is blasted with Sponge Jet and painted with Bar Rust 235 Epoxy.

The contractor may weld additional angle iron, clamps, etc to secure any equipment on the barges. Poseidon Barge Corporation requires that these items be removed and remaining fragments ground down to the original surface prior to returning the barge at the end of the rental period.

Spuds and pockets are available to secure the barge in position on the water. Spuds should be supported by two chokers or nylon straps rated to lift 10,000 lbs or more prior to the truck driver removing the chains or straps securing the spuds to the truck bed. This will insure that they do not roll off or slide off the truck unexpectantly. Spuds are lowered into the bottom surface of the lake, pond or river and pushed into the mud below. The barges can also by tied off by rope or cable through the thimbles on the sides or ends of the barges or by using the cleats supplied by Poseidon Barge.

Do not pound on the top of the spud with an excavator bucket as this will damage the spud. Repairs to the spud due to such activity will be charged back to the contractor. Spuds can be raised and lowered by a crane line or by a hydraulic winch. Poseidon Barge offers double drum winch units for sale or for rent. 5/8” Steel cable is tied off on the outside of the spud pocket on the lifting eye, threaded through the 20” sheave at the bottom of the spud and then brought up through the spud pocket and attached to the winch. If you run steel cable from the barge or winch across the body of water you are working on to the shore, bright orange vinyl ribbons should be hung from the cable, making it visible to any water craft that is operating in the vicinity.

Winch Units & Barge Pusher Units should be secured with four long chokers attached to the brackets on the frames of the units and supported by the crane line prior to the truck driver removing the chains or straps securing the units to the truck. This will insure that the units do not shift or fall off the truck unexpectantly causing damage to the equipment or injury to ground personnel. The units must remain level as they are being lifted off of the truck.

Rental Rates do not include insurance on the barges. 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 must be supplied, prior to shipping the barges to your job site. Additional details and requirements are included with our quote and lease agreement.

Adequate training for operating the equipment, transported and used on the barges is the contractor’s responsibility. Mid-America Foundation Supply and Poseidon Barge Corporation are not liable for any accidents due to operation of equipment on the barges under any circumstances including unsafe weather conditions, such as high winds, thunder storms, heavy rains, high wake, and icy or heavy snow conditions or any other hazardous weather conditions. Normal loading, unloading, dredging processes, and high humidity in the air may cause water to pool on all working surfaces on the barges. Care must be taken by equipment operators and workers to ensure the safety of the workers and equipment. Life vests should be worn at all times when working around the water. In sub-freezing air temperatures, ice will form on the barges and crane mats. It is the contractors responsibility to take any and all precautions in safe guarding their employees as well as the general public.

All ballast water and water accumulated due to condensation must be removed from the barges before lifting them out of the water and loading them on the truck. Water inside the barge will cause the load to be overweight. The barge will not lift evenly out of the water since there is a single lifting point in the top center of the barge. Also, shifting water inside the barge may cause the barge to shift on the truck if the driver has to stop quickly. Water can be blown out using an air compressor and the water ballast plugs on the top corners of the barge. It can also be pumped out or if necessary, cut a 2” hole on the sides of the barge towards the end approximately 3” from the bottom to drain the water out prior to shipping. Please notify us when doing this, so that we can anticipate the repairs. The Poseidon Barge system is designed for easy handling and economical transportation to and from your project.