Moving large machinery, heavy equipment or over-sized supplies can be problematic and difficult to do.  Barges offer an economic mode of transportation for these large loads.  The majority of barges in the United States are inland barges that only operate on inland lakes, rivers, canals and bays.  Ocean barges are specially designed to carry extremely obese loads at high rates of speed.  It is important on these different types of barges that the barge deck remains safe:

1.)    Deck Barge: This type of boat has a large flat deck.  This is ideal for transporting large objects such as pipe, fabricated structures, piling, rock, pallets, and even livestock and rocket boosters.  In some instances these barge decks are used as an extension of land and serve as work platforms.

2.)    Crane Barge: These barges support a crane on their decks.  They are reinforced with internal trusses and bulkheads to provide extra traction for the crane.

3.)    Hopper Barge: This type of boat resembles two rows of open connected semi-trailers.  The double hull design has open hoppers which hold products like grain, coal, sugar, timber, ore and steel.  The hoppers can be left open or may have covers to protect the cargo from the elements.

4.)    Power Spud Barge: These barges contain a power unit used to raise and lower spuds.  They can be used for truck mounting, soil stamping and can reduce the need for a crane.

5.)    Shale Barge: These stabilized barges are stabilized for use at oil well drilling sites.  They carry and contain any liquids and cuttings that cannot be put into the water because of the environment.

While each of these barges are a little different one thing remains the same, safety must be a priority.  Water, oil, lubricants and other slippery materials may be spilled on the barge deck and workers must be protected.  By utilizing a high traction slip resistant product like SLIPNOT plate, barge decks can be safe even when wet.  Non slip plate can be incorporated onto the work platforms, stair treads, operating areas and loading/unloading ramps.  Steel barge deck plate can be welded or drilled directly onto existing decking.  Slip resistant ladder rungs and stair treads can also be used on decks with different levels that must be accessed.

Information about the different type of barges provided by: http://www.mcdonoughmarine.com/inland.htm