Abstract: A vessel docking system has a vessel such as a scow and/or a tugboat, a platform such as a barge and/or a dredger, an optical distance measuring means, a vessel display unit, and a control means. The vessel display unit is configured to display a position and a location of the vessel and/or the platform. The optical distance measuring means is in communication with the vessel display unit. The optical distance measuring means includes a sensor, a laser, and lens. The optical distance measuring means is configured to determine a distance and a pathway between the platform and the vessel.

Abstract: An installation frame for a horizontal directional drilling operation can include a pair of front uprights supporting a front crossbar disposed therebetween and selectively vertically movable. An installation frame can include a pair of rear uprights supporting a rear crossbar disposed therebetween and selectively vertically movable, wherein the front crossbar and the rear crossbar are configured to support a casing for a drill at a predetermined drill angle relative to a floor of a body of water.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a marine vessel location awareness device and method of using the device. The marine vessel location awareness device can include electronic components such as a sensor system, a global positioning system (GPS), a tidal gauge device, an alert system, and a microcontroller. The draft sensor can be configured to measure draft data of the marine vessel. The GPS can be configured to measure the position of the marine vessel. The tidal gauge device can be configured to measure a water level of a water body the marine vessel is traveling relative to a vertical datum. The alert system can be configured to alert the marine vessel to enter an active state when the water condition transmitted to the alert system is the unsafe water condition, when the alert system is in the active state, an alert is activated.

Abstract: A bucket can be configured to be used with excavating equipment. The bucket can include a bucket body. The bucket body can have a cutting edge with an actuator disposed adjacent to the cutting edge. A cutting tooth can be provided adjacent an end of the actuator, wherein the cutting tooth can be moveable by the actuator relative to the bucket body. The bucket body can include a void or hollow compartment in which motors, controllers, and other equipment can be housed that are configured to facilitate the selective movement of the cutting tooth.

Abstract: A dredging system for removing material under a structure may include a barge body including a plurality of barge sections, each barge section of the plurality of barge sections configured to selectively be fully submersed or partially submersed to adjust a height of the barge body. A dredging system for removing material under a structure may include a winch system attached to the barge body and including a cable. A dredging system for removing material under a structure may include a drag beam coupled to the barge body via the cable and configured to vertically move via the winch system between a deployed position and undeployed position.

Abstract: A boarding system for passage from one vessel to an adjacent vessel comprises a platform, a plurality of support columns secured to the platform, a stairway attached to the platform, and a gangway pivotally connected to the platform and configured to pivot between a storage position and a deployed position. When the gangway is in the storage position, the gangway is in an upward position and when the gangway is in the deployed position, a distal portion of the gangway engages with the adjacent vessel at an angle corresponding to a condition of the adjacent vessel.

Abstract: A spud greasing system includes a spudwell and a spud configured to slidingly engage with the spudwell between a deployed position and an undeployed position. The spud includes an access window configured to align and correspond with a window of the spudwell when the spud is in the undeployed position. A sheave assembly is mounted in the spud and includes a first sheave and a second sheave rotationally mounted proximate a front end and a back end of the housing, respectively. When the spud is in the undeployed position, a grease supply is configured to be selectively connected to a supply pipe through the window and access window of the spudwell and spud thereby supplying grease to the first sheave of the sheave assembly without removing the spud from the spudwell.

Abstract: A spud greasing system includes a spudwell and a spud configured to slidingly engage with the spudwell between a deployed position and an undeployed position. The spud includes an access window configured to align and correspond with a window of the spudwell when the spud is in the undeployed position. A sheave assembly is mounted in the spud and includes a first sheave and a second sheave rotationally mounted proximate a front end and a back end of the housing, respectively. When the spud is in the undeployed position, a grease supply is configured to be selectively connected to a supply pipe through the window and access window of the spudwell and spud thereby supplying grease to the first sheave of the sheave assembly without removing the spud from the spudwell.

Abstract: A loading system for a material has a grab dredger configured to selectively engage the material, where the grab dredger includes a boom and a line configured to move a grab throughout a working space. The working space includes an arc within a plane defined by a first dimension and a second dimension, where a third dimension lies perpendicular to the plane. The working space includes a minimum engagement distance and a maximum engagement distance. A Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module can locate a material acquisition point, a material deposit point, and at least one obstacle point. A controller operates the grab dredger to move the grab within the working space to selectively engage the material. The loading system can move the material from the material acquisition point to the material deposit point while negotiating the at least one obstacle point.

Abstract: A marine positioning system can have a floating platform, an external vessel, a positioning module, and a control module. The external vessel can be configured to selectively tow and maintain the floating platforming in a preselected position. The external vessel can have a propulsion unit. The propulsion unit can be configured to propel the floating platform in a preselected direction between 0 and 360 degrees. The control module can be in communication with the propulsion unit and the positioning module. The control module can be configured to receive the location data from the positioning module. Also, the control module can be configured to determine if the floating platform is in the preselecting position. In addition, the control module can be configured to generate instructions including the preselected direction that the floating platform needs to travel to be positioned in the preselected position.

Abstract: A vessel docking system has a vessel such as a scow and/or a tugboat, a platform such as a barge and/or a dredger, an optical distance measuring means, a vessel display unit, and a control means. The vessel display unit is configured to display a position and a location of the vessel and/or the platform. The optical distance measuring means is in communication with the vessel display unit. The optical distance measuring means includes a sensor, a laser, and lens. The optical distance measuring means is configured to determine a distance and a pathway between the platform and the vessel.

Abstract: A system for underwater material placement and release is provided that includes a frame and a plurality of quick release couplings. The quick release couplings can depend from the frame in a two dimensional array. The plurality of quick release couplings can be configured to be releasably coupled to a concrete mat and remotely released therefrom via a control system. A method for placing concrete mats includes provision of the system having a frame and a plurality of quick release couplings. A lifting device can be provided. The system can be connected to the lifting device. A concrete mat can be connected to the quick release couplings of the system. The frame can be lowered to a predetermined depth where the concrete mat is adjacent to a floor of a body of water. The concrete mat can be released from the quick release couplings.

Abstract: A dragging apparatus has a carriage body. The carriage body has at least one attachment portion. The attachment portion is configured to connect the carriage body to a drag barge. At least one ripper shank is disposed on the carriage body. The ripper shank extends downwardly from the carriage body. A method for operating a dragging apparatus includes providing a barge and a dragging apparatus, and then lowering the dragging apparatus to a floor or bottom of a body of water to agitate the floor or bottom.

Abstract: A vessel and vessel/barge systems for dredging underwater surfaces. The vessel includes a hull with a bottom, bow portion, stern portion, port side, and starboard side. The vessel also includes a deck supported by the hull and a pump system mounted within the hull. A drag arm pivotably couples to the pump system. The vessel additionally includes a void defined by contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads joined to and extending upward from the bottom of the hull. The contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads are (i) vertically extensive of a perimeters of an aperture in the bottom of the hull, (ii) outboard, astern, and forward the aperture, or (iii) some combination thereof. The barge is releasably coupled to the vessel. Moreover, the barge is in fluidic communication with the drag arm.

Abstract: A sluiceway device for a hopper barge has an elongate main body defining a discharge channel. The elongate main body has a plurality of openings. The elongate main body may be configured to be disposed atop a hull of the hopper barge and configured to receive dredging material placed in the hopper barge. The sluiceway device may also have a discharge pump. The discharge pump may be in communication with the discharge channel. The discharge pump may be further configured to pump the dredging material from the discharge channel to a disposal area outside of the hopper barge.

Abstract: A dragging apparatus has a carriage body. The carriage body has at least one attachment portion. The attachment portion is configured to connect the carriage body to a drag barge. At least one ripper shank is disposed on the carriage body. The ripper shank extends downwardly from the carriage body. A method for operating a dragging apparatus includes providing a barge and a dragging apparatus, and then lowering the dragging apparatus to a floor or bottom of a body of water to agitate the floor or bottom.

Abstract: A sluiceway device for a hopper barge has an elongate main body defining a discharge channel. The elongate main body has a plurality of openings. The elongate main body may be configured to be disposed atop a hull of the hopper barge and configured to receive dredging material placed in the hopper barge. The sluiceway device may also have a discharge pump. The discharge pump may be in communication with the discharge channel. The discharge pump may be further configured to pump the dredging material from the discharge channel to a disposal area outside of the hopper barge.

Abstract: A sluiceway device for a hopper barge has an elongate main body defining a discharge channel. The elongate main body has a plurality of openings. The elongate main body may be configured to be disposed atop a hull of the hopper barge and configured to receive dredging material placed in the hopper barge. The sluiceway device may also have a discharge pump. The discharge pump may be in communication with the discharge channel. The discharge pump may be further configured to pump the dredging material from the discharge channel to a disposal area outside of the hopper barge.

Abstract: A sluiceway device for a hopper barge has an elongate main body defining a discharge channel. The elongate main body has a plurality of openings. The elongate main body may be configured to be disposed atop a hull of the hopper barge and configured to receive dredging material placed in the hopper barge. The sluiceway device may also have a discharge pump. The discharge pump may be in communication with the discharge channel. The discharge pump may be further configured to pump the dredging material from the discharge channel to a disposal area outside of the hopper barge.

Abstract: Described are a vessel and vessel/barge systems for dredging underwater surfaces. The vessel includes a hull with a bottom, bow portion, stern portion, port side, and starboard side. The vessel also includes a deck supported by the hull and a pump system mounted within the hull. A drag arm pivotably couples to the pump system. The vessel additionally includes a void defined by contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads joined to and extending upward from the bottom of the hull. The contiguous watertight walls or bulkheads are (i) vertically extensive of a perimeters of an aperture in the bottom of the hull, (ii) outboard, astern, and forward the aperture, or (iii) some combination thereof. The barge is releasably coupled to the vessel. Moreover, the barge is in fluidic communication with the drag arm.