March 2023 Project Update
We are counting down the days until the barge is launched and begins its journey up the coast! I’ve got a few photos of the completed barge (pre- and post paint) to share.
Barge Fabrication
All welding and sandblasting is complete, and the barge was moved to the dry-dock to prepare for transport. The barge is currently getting painted, and is expected to launch next week.
Take a closer look at the mooring collar image. This will be pulled in closest to land, and you can see where the shoreline utility connections will be (top left rectangle). The mooring collars extend outward from the barge. There are seven sets of these that will wrap around the new pilings to secure the barge to the dock (a horseshoe will bolt around the piling to the collars you see here). For reference, the bottom barge level is about 11’ tall; the waterline will hit about halfway up. The barge level houses the utility systems, and serves as extra storage. All guest areas are built on top of this foundation. The vertical construction (guest areas) will be completed in Wilmington, NC.
