The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has a brand new vessel in its floating plant lineup, the derrick boat Kolber. [USACE photo by Andre’ M. Hampton]
The Buffalo Engineer District held a christening ceremony Monday for its new derrick boat, the Kolber.
The vessel is 160 toes lengthy, has a beam of 60 toes and a depth of 12 toes. Its design and building have been contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marine Design Center, with the barge being designed by TAI Engineers of New Orleans, La., and building by Metal Trades Inc., of Hollywood, S.C.
The Kolber’s SeaTrax collection 60 Model S9302 crane can place armor stone weighing as much as 20-ton at a radius of 90 toes—equal to lifting 10 vehicles suddenly. The crane will probably be used to maneuver the miter gates of the Black Rock Lock in Buffalo and might carry 102 tons at a radius of 70 toes—equal to lifting 51 vehicles directly.
The derrick barge will function a part of the Buffalo District Repair Fleet, whose mission is to supply routine navigation operations and upkeep providers to the Black Rock Lock, and 36 federal harbors throughout Lakes Erie and Ontario.
The Kolber is predicted to function the Buffalo District floating crane for the following 40 years. Itsprimary work will probably be upkeep repairs of the 37 miles of coastal navigation buildings (pier, jetties, breakwaters), and elimination of obstructions to navigation from the channels.
Additionally, the Kolber will assist upkeep work on the Black Rock Lock, together with miter gate elimination and set up for the alternative tasks at present scheduled for the following two winters.
The new derrick boat was christened the Kolber in honor of Jonathan E. Kolber.
Kolber was employed by the Buffalo District as a geotechnical engineer. An professional in concrete functions and geotechnical design, he deployed in assist of New Orleans I-Wall Evaluations; visible inspections of all Hawaii dams following the Ka Loco Dam collapse; and inspections of 1000’s of buildings broken by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
“His 35 years’ service to the nation as a civil engineer is an enduring legacy that has inspired many young people to follow his footsteps into the engineering profession and continues to inspire today’s Army Engineers,” says the Buffalo District.
