Barge with bridge capsized at the construction site

Project Summary

In April 2001, the cargo barge Coen 260, carrying the Rancocas Creek steel arch bridge, suddenly capsized and came to rest at a 46 deg angle, with the bridge resting on a mobile crane and the pier. The bridge was being assembled and just days away from installation. Argonautics Marine engineering became involved in the bid stage and assisted Rigging International with securing the recovery and installation contract. Once the contract was obtained, the accident was investigated and a root cause report produced. A detailed uprighting procedure was developed, including maximum required pulling and restraining forces at various critical stages of the operation.

Once all righting equipment was in place, on-site assistance was provided during the actual operation, which was successfully executed on July 27, 2001. Additional stability was provided with 4 small sectional barges, temporarily mounted to the sides of the Coen 260 barge. Four days after uprighting, the bridge was floated in position over the piers. By ballasting the barge down, the bridge was lowered onto its bearings.

Scope of Work

The project scope included:

• Investigation of the accident, resulting in a root cause report;

• Design of the righting procedures and establish maximum required forces at each critical step;

• Check of stability throughout the righting and design of mounting hardware for temporary stability sponsons;

• Design of ballast procedures for final installation of the bridge onto its piers;

• Provision of on-site assistance during actual uprighting an installation operations.

This uprighting operation was closely followed by the local media. Newspaper articles appeared in the Burlington County Courier...  and in the Courier Post...

Project Photographs

Sectional barges were mounted to the capsized barge to ensure its stability after uprighting.	Deballasting the capsized barge signaled the start of the righting operation.	Barge partly uprighted and free floating again as dawn sets in.	Barge uprighted and stable. Bridge was successfully installed four days later.