Abstract: An improved barge system comprises a barge with a connecting system built into the barge. The connecting system includes several recessed areas about the periphery of the barge with upper and lower rails about the peripheral edges of the barge. A vertical post having a lower connecting member and an upper connecting member is attached within the recessed area for rotation into position to connect the upper and lower connecting members to adjacent upper and lower rails on the adjacent barges. Wedge blocks attached outwardly on adjacent rails each receive a wedge in the gap between the respective wedge block and a connecting member. Spacer blocks improve parallel alignment of the connected barges.

Abstract: An improved barge system comprises a barge with a connecting system built into the barge. The connecting system includes several recessed areas about the periphery of the barge with upper and lower rails about the peripheral edges of the barge. A vertical post having a lower connecting member and an upper connecting member is attached within the recessed area for rotation into position to connect the upper and lower connecting members to adjacent upper and lower rails on the adjacent barges. Wedge blocks attached outwardly on adjacent rails each receive a wedge in the gap between the respective wedge block and a connecting member. Spacer blocks improve parallel alignment of the connected barges.

Abstract: An improved barge system comprises a barge with a connecting system built into the barge. The connecting system includes several recessed areas about the periphery of the barge with upper and lower tubes about the peripheral edges of the barge. A connecting system with a vertical post having a lower connecting member and an upper connecting member is attached within each recessed area. The vertical post and upper connecting member are separated hinged within the recess for rotation into position to connect an adjacent barge by connecting the upper and lower connecting members to adjacent upper and lower tubes on the adjacent barges. An adjustable hinge and wedged lower end of the connecting member is provided for alignment of the upper connecting member with the vertical post. A liner on the upper connecting member provides load absorption and noise abatement, and torsion bars on the barge provide structural control.

Abstract: An improved barge system comprises a barge with a connecting system built into the barge. The connecting system includes several recessed areas about the periphery of the barge with upper and lower tubes about the peripheral edges of the barge. A connecting system with a vertical post having a lower connecting member and an upper connecting member is attached within each recessed area. The vertical post and upper connecting member are separated hinged within the recess for rotation into position to connect an adjacent barge by connecting the upper and lower connecting members to adjacent upper and lower tubes on the adjacent barges. An adjustable hinge and wedged lower end of the connecting member is provided for alignment of the upper connecting member with the vertical post. A liner on the upper connecting member provides load absorption and noise abatement, and torsion bars on the barge provide structural control.