Our product is a removable, retractable centerboard. We believe that this will ease the transport of empty barges by preventing lateral drift due to wind and to provide an intermediate pivot point to shorten the turning radius of a barge fleet. It can be easily moved between fleets and installed as needed between individual barges. Since an unloaded barge only draws about 18" of water, and the average depth of a channel is 10-12’, the centerboard can safely reach a depth of 8’ below the bottom of the barges it is attached to.

It consists of an outer casing suspended by a support structure from the two adjacent barges. The outer casing (A), is made of ½” to 3/8” steel plate of type A36 and measures 6’ x 12’ x 8” and acts as a sheath for our centerboard, two eyelets (I) on top of the casing allow it to be moved between fleets by a dock crane. The outer casing contains an axle (D), around which the centerboard with its internal spar (B) rotates, attached to the centerboard is a cable (G). The cable travels over a pulley (C) and connects to an electric winch (F) which raises and lowers the centerboard; a pin (I) through the winch allows it to be locked for transport. A sonar device (E) is installed within the centerboard to control the actions of the winch.

The movement of the centerboard to avoid obstacles and debris is self-governing. That is, it is autonomously controlled by the sonar transponder fitted within the leading edge of the centerboard. The sonar detects oncoming objects, and responds by sending a signal to the winch causing it to raise the centerboard up into the casing. Once the object has passed the sonar sends a second signal telling the winch the lower the centerboard back into position. When in the lowered position ballast in the bottom of the centerboard allows it to resist any lifting force produced by passing water.