Two Types of Dredges

Willard Says……

“TWO TYPES OF DREDGES”

is part of the quote, “Two types of dredges—ones that have sunk, the ones getting ready to sink.”

Anecdotal evidence and this authoritative quote by one who was responsible for the design of many of the dredges at work in this country and elsewhere is an indictment of the lousy engineering that can be seen in many of the dredges now at work in this country. That this old quote was dredged up and served to a gathering at a recent dredging conference confirms with grim humor the reality that dredges still sink today. Too many sink. Mostly, they sink needlessly.

Several companies build dredges that should have “SINKER” written all over them. Apparently this tendency to take a dive is of little concern because they continue to foist them off on unsuspecting dredgers. The solution to this deplorable situation may be near—there is evidence that some underwriters now consider these things uninsurable. Some sink-prone models are even named after creatures of the sea as if submersion were a desirable attribute.

The Dredge Must Float

The first rule of successful dredging is that the dredge must float. When this basic tenet is violated due to deficient design: production stops, earnings cease, damage accrues and expenses mount. Once raised, repaired and restored to as- was condition it retains its original susceptibility to sinking. It boggles the mind to continue to see new dredges with such flawed designs.

Barring sabotage or gross neglect, properly designed dredges will not sink. Such dredges have a sufficient number of sealed flotation cells arranged so as to support the dredge when all of its floodable (open-topped) spaces are filled with water. Competent designers are aware of and abide by this principle.

Dredgers should determine if they own a sinker and take steps to assure that their machine does not live up to its potential and take a dive. Failure to do so could be construed as owner negligence—a finding that may nullify an insurance payoff. See Willard Says…Insurance-Is Your Dredge Covered?

Forewarned is forearmed! You, as a dredge owner, are not required to validate the deplorable reality conveyed by the quote that leads this article. You do not have to join this fraternity of dunkers! Dredges do not have to sink!

Contact willard@willardsays.com with questions, comment or criticism.