Dry bulk cargo barge

A rake barge has a bow shaped to cause less resistance when being pushed and is usually placed at the head of the tow.

A box barge has no rake to the ends and is usually placed in the center and rear of the tow and can hold more cargo.

[citation needed] Barges can be equipped with covers of various types if the cargo is weather-sensitive (finished steel or grain).

[citation needed] In 2004, the dry bulk cargo barge fleet on the Mississippi River System (Mississippi, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway east and west, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri Rivers, etc.)

Smaller barge fleets also operate on the East (Hudson River, etc.)

Dry bulk cargo barges are typically operated and maintained with efficiency and environmental stewardship in mind.

Typically, an informal set of industry best practices are applicable, including:[citation needed] Barge loading Barge loading should be conducted in a manner that minimizes the amount of cargo spilled onto the deck.

The CBU is a series of buckets supported between two strands of roller chain, running in a continuous loop.

If a barge develops a detectable leak, crew members will go below deck and install a temporary patch, known as a shingle.

Water that accumulates in void tank generally needs to be removed.

When this is the case, the following best practices are applicable: Visually inspect the water in the void for a sheen.

The crew will observe the water surrounding the tow for any sign of a visible sheen.

In the event a visible sheen is detected, the pump is immediately turned off (provided the barge is in no danger of sinking.)

At least once every watch, the deck crew inspects the void tanks of each barge to ensure that no water is being taken on.

This will vary based on whether or not the barge is loaded or empty Boot- Fitting attached to the end of a suction hose on a barge pump that prevents large particles from being suctioned.

Depending on style, they can be lifted off by crane or rolled away for access to the hopper.

Dry Dock- Structure used to raise a vessel out of the water so as to expose all parts of the hull for inspection, repairs or painting.

Draft- Vertical distance between the water line and the bottom of the vessel hull.

Hull- The frame or body of a vessel, excluding the bulk heads, deck or mechanical equipment.