Project Operations

anchors slipping, the Delta Eagle was replaced by the Delta Pacer (4,200 hp; see

Photo 17). The Delta Eagle was then connected to the starboard side of the

Beachbuilder to help maneuver the dredge in and out of the channel. The Delta

Eagle was later replaced with the Matthew (3,000 hp; see Photo 18), a Weeks

Marine tug. Two smaller tugs, the Delta Fox (900 hp; see Photo 19) and Delta

Robin (600 hp; see Photo 20), were used to move several support barges

including one equipped with a 55-ton capacity crane (Weeks 553) used to lift

pipe (see Photo 21) and a small A-frame barge (or stiff-leg derrick) used to move

anchors and the hard point (see Photo 22). The tugs were also used to hold the

floating hose in position. A small tug, the Marie (300 hp; see Photo 23), was

used to ferry personnel and help move the small barges.

Additional equipment included a quarters barge for Weeks Marine personnel

equipped with a galley where meals were prepared (see Photo 24). The quarters

barge was anchored in South Pass just below the HOP. Two 42-ft crew boats, the

Cheyenne and the Flying Cloud, were used to transport Corps, OAS, and Weeks

Marine personnel along with visitors between Venice, the Beachbuilder, the dike

near the placement area, and the quarters boat. The hydrographic survey boat

used by Weeks Marine was the Sabine and the MVN daily channel surveys were

conducted by the John Bopp, W-46, Laborde, and OB-173.

Project Operations

3 and 4 June 2002

As previously noted, Weeks Marine initiated mobilization activities during

the last week of May 2002. Mobilization activities continued after the kick-off

meeting on 3 June. Before-dredging (BD) surveys of the three river channel

reaches and the placement areas in the marsh were conducted by the contractor.

On 3 and 4 June, Weeks personnel completed laying the submerged line and

extended the shore line across the dike, pasture, and existing wetlands and into

the designated placement area.

5 June 2002

On 5 June, Weeks personnel set the hard point to work in Reach 1 and con-

nected the floating hose to the hard point (see Photo 25) and the Beachbuilder

discharge line. Water was pumped through the floating hose, submerged line, and

shore line pipe to the placement area to test pumps and piping connections.

Weeks personnel, accompanied by an MVN inspector, surveyed the submerged

line elevations to confirm that the pipeline had not caused any shoaling or scour

to occur.

During the afternoon, the Beachbuilder's wire cable was extended and the

anchors set. Although the winches could spool approximately 2,500 ft of 1.5-in.-

thick wire rope, no more than 2,200 ft was unspooled during the demonstration.

Conventional dustpan dredges typically spool longer wire lengths (i.e., 5,000-ft

lengths). Initially, five anchors were set. Three anchors were set upstream of the

Chapter 2

Project Description