Underwater excavation is called dredging. A dredge is a machine that scoops or suctions sediment from the bottom of the waterways or is used to mine materials underwater. While the instrumentation of modern dredges is computer assisted, the basic excavation methods of dredges have remained the same since the late 1800s. The two main types of dredges Local 25 members work aboard are mechanical dredges and hydrhydraulic dredges.

Mechanical dredges remove material by scooping it from the bottom and then placing it onto a waiting barge or a disposal area. The two most common types of mechanical dredges are dipper dredges and clamshell dredges. These names refer to the type of scooping buckets they employ. The dredge is mounted on a large barge and is usually towed to the dredge site and secured in by anchors or anchor pilings, called spuds. Disposal barges, called dump scows, are used in conjunction with the mechanical dredge.

A suction hose does just that, it’s a pump, pulls, vacuums, or sucks the material or liquid through the hose. They can also be referred to as Delivery Hoses. Typically, suction hoses can be used for both suction and discharge. Each hose is different, double-check with Atlanta Rubber & Hydraulics if you are unsure or if you are considering a specialty hose.

Suction hoses are constructed to maintain their round shape and not collapse when used under the hose’s normal use. Note that using a hose other than its unintended use will damage the hose.

There is also no such thing as a hose that a vehicle can run over. No matter what, a vehicle driving over a hose will destroy it.

What is a Discharge Hose?

Fenders are buffers between vessels and the wharf. The principal function of a fendering system is to provide protection for both wharf and vessel by absorbing the vessel's berthing energy thus reducing the forces on both the wharf structure and vessel. The used of fender allow a reduction of wharf construction costs and provides ship owners with a satisfactory system for ship protection.

Fender systems vary from quite complicated arrangements to virtually no fendering. The simpler the better. Most usual form of modern fendering is rubber in various shapes, an improvement of the old rubber tire or steel flexible piles.

• Preparation of rubber compound

• Preparation of steel plates

• Application of bonding agent

• Compression moulding according to the shape of the fender

Types of Chain Grades

Industrial chains consist of linked segments of durable metal, such as stainless steel, galvanized steel, and brass. They are available in a wide range of sizes and strengths to lift and transport materials across a diverse set of applications.A mooring system is made up of a mooring line, anchor and connectors, and is used for station keeping of a ship or floating platform in all water depths. A mooring line connects an anchor on the seafloor to a floating structure. We will focus on mooring Mobile Offshore Drilling Units and Floating Production Systems.