Overloaded a barge with wet sand on the Mississippi last October and nearly flipped it

I thought I knew my load calculations but the moisture content threw everything off, the barge listed hard to starboard before I could stop pumping. Has anyone else dealt with wet material weight throwing off your draft readings?

3 comments

3 Comments

mia7005d ago

Did you factor in the settlement rate for wet sand, cause that extra water weight shifts real fast as it drains? I've had to triple my safety margin on moisture loads ever since a similar close call on the lower Missouri. Always pump a test bucket and weigh it before you start loading heavy.

tessa_murray5d ago

Yeah @mia700 probably right about the test bucket. But honestly on the big rivers a little list is normal, you probably just spooked yourself.

rose_reed5d ago

Read a Coast Guard report once about a tow that went sideways on the Ohio from wet sand shifting mid transit. They said the real issue isnt just the extra water weight, its how that water drains out unevenly as the barge rocks. One side loses moisture faster and you get this sudden list that your pumps cant keep up with. A buddy of mine on the Red River swears by loading wet sand in 2 foot lifts with a 30 minute wait between each. Lets the water settle before piling on more.