MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION VESSEL AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING MATERIAL RECOVERED IN A DREDGING OPERATION

摘要

A material distribution vessel (300) for distributing material recovered in a dredging operation is disclosed. The material distribution vessel (300) includes a hull (352); a propulsion system (380) for selectively moving the hull (352) through a waterway; and a conveyor system (310) supported by the hull (352). The conveyor system (310) has a first end (312) for receiving recovered material and a second end (314) for depositing the recovered material. At least a portion of the conveyor system (310) is movable relative to the hull (352) to move the second end (314) to a desired position. The material distribution vessel also includes at least one support pad (348). The at least one support pad (348) is movable in at least a vertical direction to support the hull (352) on a bottom of the waterway. The recovered material may be deposited into the waterway to form an island (which may be a levy), into another water-borne vessel, or into an on-shore station such as a wheeled transportation vehicle.