9/22/2023 0 Comments Last chance dredge 11 report![]() The slurry passes through the drag heads and pipelines into the hopper. While the WHEELER travels forward at a speed of approximately 2 knots, the drag arms suck a water and sand mixture, known as slurry, from the channel bottom. To dredge a channel, the drag arms are lowered over the side to the channel bottom. ![]() It is uniquely designed with three large drag arms and an impressive pumping capacity. That is, it operates much like a giant vacuum cleaner. The WHEELER is a "trailing suction" hopper dredge. Periodic Readiness Exercises throughout the year keep the crew and equipment prepared for these contingencies. In compliance with recent legislation, the dredge is kept in a Ready Reserve status, capable of responding to an urgent dredging requirement within three days. Every 14 days it docks for fuel, supplies, water, and engine maintenance When underway, the dredge operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their working schedule consists of 10 and 12 hour days, including weekends. Crewmembers are divided into two operating tours, alternating two weeks on/two weeks off, and weighted between full and skeleton manning. The WHEELER is staffed with 38 civil service mariners. Although the dredge is maintained in a state of readiness for worldwide operations, it spends the majority of its time operating in the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River, dealing with shoaling problems that occur during high and low water. The WHEELER keeps waterway channels clear from Key West, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas. ![]() It is the largest hopper dredge in the Corps of Engineers. The hopper dredge WHEELER is operated by the New Orleans District, U.S.
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