The three US Army LCUs loaded on the barge Atlanta Bridge, ready for departure

Project Summary

In order to mobilize three U.S. Army Utility Landing Crafts (LCUs) from Oakland, CA to Yokohama, Japan, they were loaded onto the 402 x 100 ft cargo barge Atlanta Bridge, using the float-on method. Each of these 200-series LCU measured 175 x 42 ft and weighed about 850 t. After loading, Argonautics Marine Engineering was hired to survey the cribbing and seafastenings and inspect the tug Comet and its towing gear.   

The tug and barge departed Oakland on August 25, 2004, stopped over in Honolulu for bunkers, and arrived safely in Yokohama on September 22. The tow speed over the 5,500 nautical mile voyage averaged 8.4 knots. 

Scope of Work

The project scope included:

• Review the proposed cribbing and seafastening plan;

• Proposal of additional cribbing blocks and alternative seafastening arrangement;

• Survey the LCUs with respect to dry tow readiness and internal securings;

• Survey the seafastening installation;

• Inspect the 4,600 hp ocean going tug Comet and its towing gear;

• Survey the condition of the LCUs and seafastenings during the bunker stop in Honolulu.

Project Photographs

Welding a longitudinal seafastening to the barge deck.	Typical custom transverse bilge seafastening.	Tail end of chain bridle hooked up to tug's 2" main tow line.	Barge safely moored in Honolulu during bunker stop.