Designed to dredge waterways with a Komatsu PC3000 excavator, capable of digging 70 feet deep, a barge that has spuds, (really legs) that can stand on the bottom and provide a stable platform for the excavator to work from and hydraulic systems keep the barge level and stable during digging operations, and compensate for tide changes which, sometimes can reach 35 feet or more. In addition, of course there are Capstan winches, deck cranes and traveling winch to operate as well.
The Spuds raise and lower 70 feet up and down to reach the bottom to keep the barge stable sitting on the bottom of the ocean or river. The auto leveling, tide changes, port, and starboard leveling are all controlled by a touch screen PLC control, one in the excavator and one in the wheelhouse. The PLC controls one of two hydraulic systems, a smaller system on the barge and a larger Komatsu hydraulic system from the excavator. Both run the spuds, three of them, port, starboard and forward, with Komatsu running them in fast up or down mode (three pumps, 45000-psi, 150-gpm), and the barge hydraulics running them in the auto level mode (22-gpm, 45000-psi, two pumps). Deck cranes, Capstans, and deck winches run from the barge smaller hydraulic system.
The Megan-Renee was designed to be environmentally friendly with Terresolve Biodegradable Fluids, highly positional for accurate and precise dredging of waterways. With computer control for the operator, auto leveling, and much more to provide the operator with complete control of dredging operations.
Western Dynamics completely redesigned the entire hydraulic system from circuit design to piping runs to allow the Megan-Renee to be the most sophisticated dredging machine in the US.
Gary L. Kranz, owner of Western Dynamics, says "this machine is in a class of it's own, no other machine can come close to it's performance. Whether it is precision dredging or environmental concerns requiring absolute dredging conditions, the Megan-Renee is the only machine in the US with the ability to perform at this level ". A highly trained and specialized crew operates this high performance machine, which makes the Megan-Renee un-beatable in the world of dredging.
Typical Job:
The vessel Megan Renee’ was dispatched to an emergency repair on a set of three offshore pipelines in Alaskan waters. This job required extreme accuracy in extreme conditions. The Megan Renee’ was considered the only vessel capable of handling the task.
Objectives:
The job required the underwater excavation of rock (mostly granite) to create two trenches 14’ wide x 275’ long within 5’ of three different pipelines a 32,000volt submerged power line, and several rock pinnacles. The divers would rig the pipelines, then the Megan Renee’ would make several picks on the pipeline, placing it into the trenches.
Challenges:
Along with variations in original grade, we had to compensate for curvatures and bends of the pipes, which were not lying in a straight line. We had some of the strongest currents and tallest tides in the world to compensate for. We had to position the Megan Renee’ over the top of the pipelines, in some cases the spuds were within 20’ of the pipelines. Positioning the vessel with extreme care to avoid the pipelines the 32,000volt power line, and the several rock pinnacles, in extreme current. Due to draft the Megan Renee’ could only work with tides greater than 15’. The current also limited the time the divers to 20 minutes two to three times in a 24hr period.
Result: This job was completed in record time with better than expected results, a safe operation and a happy customer.
Not your typical digging.
Diver descending below.
Long days in Alaskan waters.
Waiting for the divers to rig up the pipeline to the bucket.
Video of Machine Working, clip one, about 33 meg.
Shows Operators controls and panel screens, clip two,again about 32 mg.
Be patient, these are large files, but worth seeing.