Abstract: A floating, barge unloader system by which open hopper barges containing granular materials are rapidly unloaded by picking up, rotating the barge and dumping its contents. The open, loaded hopper barge is positioned above a lowered barge lifting platform and secured to it by latch beams and hydraulic clamps. Compressed air is released into the ballast tanks of the barge lifting platform, forcing the ballast water from the tanks, causing the barge lifting platform with the barge secured on it to rise along guide rails. Hydraulically operated, rotating arms affixed to the support structure upon which the guide assembly is mounted attach to the barge lifting platform and rotate the barge lifting platform with the mounted barge and up and about the guide assembly, including pivot elements located along the sides of said support structure during the pivoting of the barge/platform up approximately one hundred angular degrees.