The first generator being offloaded from the cargo barge Paul Bunyan

Project Summary

In October 2005, the Beaver Valley Power Station replacement steam generators and reactor head were delivered by heavy lift barge Paul Bunyan and offloaded upon arrival at a special slip in Shippingport, PA. The barge was carefully ballasted down and grounded. Hydraulic multi-wheel trailers were rolled onboard and each 350 t heavy generator was rolled off and moved to the power plant for installation. Lastly, the 60 t heavy reactor head was rolled off.

Argonautics Marine Engineering was hired to provide detailed procedures for mooring, pre-ballasting and grounding the barge including maintaining adequate and safe bottom reaction throughout the four roll-off operations.    

Scope of Work

The project scope included:

• Detailed ballast procedure for grounding the barge and maintaining bottom reaction throughout the offloading operations;

• Ballast procedure to re-float the barge after completion of the roll-off operations;

• Safety procedures;

• Mooring calculations.

Acknowledgement

Photograph courtesy of Rigging International, Inc.