Abstract: A cutter suction dredger includes a vessel, a ladder extending away from the vessel, a cutter head positioned at a distal end of the ladder and configured to contact a bed of the body of water to cut into the bed, and a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes a first spherical thrust bearing configured to resist thrust forces generated by the cutter head contacting the bed, a second spherical thrust bearing positioned opposite the first spherical thrust bearing, a symmetrical spherical bearing positioned between the first and second spherical thrust bearings, and a housing surrounding the first and second spherical thrust bearings and the symmetrical spherical bearing, the housing mounted to the ladder. A shaft extends along the ladder and through the bearings and the housing, the cutter head coupled to a distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for dredging a seabed includes a trailing suction hopper dredger. The trailing suction hopper dredger includes a hull, a rail coupled to the hull, and a dredge arm coupled to the rail. The dredge arm includes an upper suction pipe coupled to a lower suction pipe. A pump is coupled to the upper suction pipe and is configured to draw material toward the upper suction pipe from the seabed. A visual marine life deterrent is coupled to the dredge arm and is configured to direct light toward the sea floor where marine life may be located. Another visual marine life deterrent includes a silhouette of a marine life predator. The visual marine life deterrents are configured to be observable by the marine life and cause marine life to move away from the dredge arm.

Abstract: An articulated tug barge hopper dredge including a tug, a barge, and a coupling system configured to interconnect the tug and the barge. The tug has a bow and the barge has a notch in a periphery of the barge. The notch is sized to receive the bow of the tug. The articulated tug barge hopper dredge further includes dredging machinery integrated with the barge and configured to excavate material dredged from the seabed. The dredging machinery includes trailing suction pipes.

Abstract: A draghead visor is configured to attach to an armature along a rotation axis. A biasing assembly attached to the draghead visor is configured for attachment to the armature such that the biasing assembly is positioned to apply a force on the visor in a manner such that a rotational force is applied to the visor around the rotation axis. The biasing assembly may include one or more spring subassemblies, wherein a spring subassembly may include one or more compression spring, extension spring, or torsion spring. The draghead visor may be part of a draghead pulled by a marine vessel.

Abstract: A mooring buoy assembly includes a floating structure, a pipe, an elbow, and a swivel joint. The pipe extends vertically into and away from the floating structure, and is fixed to the floating structure such that the floating structure does not rotate with respect to the pipe. Furthermore, the pipe is configured to provide a flow path in fluid communication with a submerged hose. The elbow is in fluid communication with the pipe and provides a change in direction of the flow path. Furthermore, the elbow is supported by the floating structure and is configured to be in fluid communication with a floating hose. The swivel joint is connected to the pipe and is configured to allow the elbow and floating hose to rotate relative to the submerged hose.

Abstract: A marine backhoe dredge having a counterbalancing system that increases the hoisting capacity and hoisting speed of the backhoe. The device includes a backhoe mounted on a vessel and a counterbalancing system that includes an adjustable support structure, one or more cables operatively associated with the support structure and backhoe, and connected to a counterbalance such as a counterweight or a winch.