BARGE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

The design of shipborne barges incorporates two basic features not common to most barges in that they must be suitable for transfer and transport to barge carrying vessels and also be suitable for operation in at least two separate inland waterway systems. Fleets of these barges have been designed and placed in service since the mid 1960s (e.g. for LASH, Bacat, SeaBee systems, etc.), while several proposed types, such as Trimariner, Capricorn, etc., were being developed. The design and construction are discussed under the headings of (i) shipborne barge design development, (ii) barge design features, (iii) barge types, (iv) hatch covers, (v) lifting and mooring arrangements, (vi) towing arrangements, (vii) seaworthiness, (viii) classification requirements, (ix) maintenance and repair, (x) specification and construction, and (xi) fleet sizes. Order from BSRA as No. 53,312.