Krupp coal loader on barge catamaran safely towed under Vincent Thomas bridge

Project Summary

A Krupp coal loader, assembled at the old Todd Shipyard site in Los Angeles by Bickerton Iron Works, was delivered to its final destination at berth 301. For the transport, two 242 x 60 x 16 ft flat top cargo barges were used. These barges were temporarily connected together in a 130 ft wide catamaran configuration with hinged spacer beams and bracings. Once loaded, the Krupp Coal Loader would span both barges. Steel bridge pieces spanned the gap between the barge sterns and the quay.

On July 31, 1997, with incoming tide, the loader was rolled onto the barges and lowered on temporary blocks. Next day, at low tide, the barges were towed under the Vincent Thomas bridge with 8 ft clearance. That same night, just after high tide, the loader was safely rolled off the barges and lowered onto its rails at the new berth.

Scope of Work

The project scope included:

• Modeling of the barge hulls for the ballast analysis;

• Provision of design forces for barge connections;

• Simulation of the loader roll-on and roll-off operations and optimize ballast procedure;

• Provision of on-site assistance during actual operations and controlling of the barge ballast operations.

Project Photographs

Coal loader ready to be pulled onto the two side-by-side barges.	Dolly configuration under the forward corner boogie.	Coal loader in position on the two barges, ready for some seafastening.	Barge catamaran with coal loader towed from Los Angeles to Long Beach.