Saw something strange on the Mississippi River dredge near Baton Rouge last week

I was down at the Port of Baton Rouge checking out a backup cutterhead setup and noticed this old timers method for keeping the suction line clear. He had this homemade contraption rigged up with a pressure gauge and a garden hose valve. Said he built it back in 2003 after getting stuck on a sandbar for 16 hours. It let him shoot a jet of water right into the intake when things got clogged. I snapped a few pics. Has anyone else tried something like that instead of the usual pump reversal trick?

3 comments

3 Comments

tara79329d ago

Built it back in 2003" - how's that grandfathered-in OSHA loophole holding up?

kim_johnson5129d ago

I heard OSHA doesn't really go after those old setups unless someone gets hurt. My buddy works in an older warehouse and says their grandfathered system is basically untouched by inspections. Seems like if nobody files a complaint, they just leave it alone.

the_max29d ago

Hey @tara793, could you even get a permit like that today with current fire codes? That 2003 build date probably saved you from updating the whole ventilation system.