Plastic Barges
St. Stephen Boatworks, in conjunction with the National Research Council Of Canada developed a new method of building all-plastic work barges using extremely tough and long-lived recycled plastic. This material has been extensively tested by the Department of Wood Sciences and Technology at UNB. (Contact woodsci@unb.ca - mention IPI 9902-1)
13 m x 7.5 m (40' x 24') all-plastic barge with 6 metre-tonnne crane
The advantages are:
No plastic welds to break
No fiberglass to delaminate or
tear
No wood to rot
No mild steel to rust
20% less expensive to purchase
The plastic is guaranteed
trouble-free for 50 years
Absolutely no maintenance
beyond occasional pressure wash to remove growth
The initial prototype is 30’ x 8’6" x 2'. Equipped with aluminum handrails, SS engine mount, steering console, SS corner guards and 4 ship’s cleats, this barge weighs 5000 lb and carries 12,000 lb easily. It meets all Guidelines For Disinfections And Hygiene Standards For Aquaculture as set out by the NB Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
- The prototype was recently launched at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it has been donated. Interested companies are welcome to evaluate this prototype at the Museum. (Follow the link for photos of the launch.)
The benefits of developing new technology include staying competitive by reducing operating costs. A quick comparison reveals the potential savings that companies could realize by the development of this improved technology if applied to commonly used boats. For example:
WORKBOATS SUITABLE FOR SHIPPING BY CONTAINER
19’ 6" x 7’ 6" EPOXY-FIBREGLASS WORKBOAT
- WEIGHT....... 2000 lb
- PAYLOAD..... 4000 lb
- SPEED
- 30 kt with 90 HP
- 20 kt with 50 HP
- FEATURES
- Epoxy Resin and non-woven bi-axial fiberglass
(far stronger and durable than regular fiberglass)- Watertight storage compartment
- 3.5" x 3.5" plastic runners and plastic skidplate
- Three (3) boats fit in a standard 20’ container
19' 6" x 7' 6" ALL-PLASTIC WORKBOAT
- WEIGHT..........3000lb
- PAYLOAD..........4000 lb
- SPEED
- 25 kt with 90 HP
- 12 kt with 50 HP
- FEATURES
- Flush deck with driver’s seat aluminum safety rails (6061 T6)
- 100% tough UV-proof plastic impervious to coral, rocks and chemicals
- Easy to clean
- Can’t swamp and is unsinkable (filled with sealed foam)
- Three (3) boats fit in a standard 20’ container
27’ x 12’ EPOXY-FIBREGLASS WORKBOAT: "TWIN-HULLED"
- WEIGHT...........4500 lb
- PAYLOAD..........12000 lb
- SPEED............30 kt with 130 HP
- FEATURES
- Heavy fiberglass or ¾" ultra-tough plastic deck
- Stainless steel engine mount
- Steering console with Lexan windshield
- Four (4) 3.5” x 3.5” plastic runners
- Assembles with 3M 5200 Marine Adhesive and SS bolts
- Time to assemble...approx 40 man-hours
- Four (4) boats fit in 40’ container
- OPTIONS
- Aluminum handrails (6061 T6)
- Plastic skidplates under bows
- Built-in foam flotation
If you are interested in the above, please contact Scotty Millar @ 902-346-3007 or mailto:seacatent@eastlink.ca
Statistical info and photo coutesy of St Stephen Boatworks