512 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 16-22

Sections

19-8. General Requirements.

Dredging

Before maintenance, raise and secure the ladder, and set blank or block plates in lines, as required.
Ensure dredge pipelines have appropriate lights as per USCG regulations and 33 CFR 83.27.
Submerged pipelines must comply with specific marking, anchoring, and inspection requirements, including special marks and regular inspections.

Identification and Avoidance of Hazards

Conduct thorough investigations to identify submerged pipelines and obstructions before starting dredging.
Establish and enforce precautionary measures like no spud, no anchor, no dredge, and tolerance zones.
Design dredges to prevent sinking in case of pump component failure and provide design data to relevant authorities upon request.

Dredge Operations and Safety

A Qualified Person (QP) must oversee mobilization, demobilization, and relocation of dredges and related equipment.
Provide a safe process for loading and unloading personnel on hopper dredges.
Equip dredges with bilge alarms or shutdown interfaces if the dredge pump is below the waterline.

Dredge Disposal Sites

Provide essential facilities like drinking water, toilets, and first-aid at disposal sites as per regulations.
Operate equipment according to manufacturer instructions and ensure proper lighting and shelters at disposal sites.
Equip disposal site shelters with necessary facilities, comply with electrical safety standards, and avoid the use of fossil fuels for heating.

Scows and Barges

Equip scows for open ocean dumping with remote opening devices to prevent personnel transfer.
Provide safe personnel transfer means and identify weather and water conditions that prohibit towing.
Ensure all barges and scows comply with stability regulations and use fall protection devices to ensure personnel safety.

Navigation Locks and Vessel Locking

Prohibit smoking and ignition sources near Red Flag vessels and establish safe zones during construction or maintenance activities.
Enforce strict lockage protocols for Red Flag Vessels, including separation from recreational craft and other vessels carrying dangerous cargoes.
Allow simultaneous lockage under congested conditions only if specific safety conditions are met.

19-9. Figures and Tables.

See Figures/Tables Checklists/Forms

19-10. Checklists and Forms.

See Figures/Tables Checklists/Forms

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

19-10. Who must oversee mobilization, demobilization, and relocation of dredges and related equipment?

The KO or COR

A Competent Person (CP)

A Qualified Person (QP)

A Registered Professional Engineer (RPE)

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 19-8 (m.–o.).

19-8. General Requirements. (m.–o.).

m.  Dredging.  (19-8.m)

(1)  Prior to repair or maintenance on the pump, suction, or discharge lines below the water line or within the hull, raise the ladder (that is, drag arm) above the waterline and positively secure it.  This provision is in addition to the normal securing of hoisting machinery.  Blank or block plates must also be set in suction or discharge lines, as appropriate.

(2)  Dredge pipelines that are floating or supported on trestles must display appropriate lights at night and in periods of restricted visibility according to USCG regulations and 33 CFR 83.27.

(3)  Submerged and Floating Dredge Pipeline.

(a)  Where a pipeline crosses a navigation channel, the pipeline must be submerged and any anchor securing the pipeline must rest on the channel bottom. Provide the depth of the submerged pipeline to the USCG for publication.

(a-1)  Whenever buoyant or semi-buoyant pipeline is used, the dredge operator must assure that the pipeline remains fully submerged and on the bottom.  Whenever it is necessary to raise the pipeline, maintain proper clearances and adequately mark the entire length of the pipeline.

(a-2)  Mark submerged pipelines according to local USCG requirements and as required by the USACE supervisor/KO or COR.

(a-3)  Unless otherwise specified by the USCG, submerged pipelines require special marks and must have a USCG-approved flashing yellow light.

(a-4)  Place indicators, such as signs or buoys that state “DANGER SUBMERGED PIPELINE” at the beginning and end of the pipeline.

(a-5)  In addition, indicators are required beginning in areas which reduce the charted depth by more than 10%, and, as a minimum, every 1000 feet (304.8 m) to clearly warn of the pipeline length and course.

(a-6)  If barges or other vessels are used to anchor the beginning or end of the submerged pipeline, they must be lighted according to 33 CFR 83.30.

(a-7)  Within a navigation channel, identify each end of the pipeline with a regulatory marker buoy.

(a-8)  Identify lengths of submerged pipeline that are located outside of the navigation channel and that reduce the charted depth by more than 10 percent with high visibility buoys marked with 360-degree visibility retro-reflective tape.  An acceptable
arrangement is orange neoprene buoys placed at an interval not to exceed 500 feet (152.4 m) that clearly show the pipeline length and course.

(a-9)  Conduct routine inspections of the submerged pipe to ensure anchorage. (a-10) Remove all anchors and related material when the submerged pipe is
removed.

(b)  Floating pipeline is any pipeline that is not anchored on the channel bottom. Pipelines must be either fully floating or fully submerged.  Do not allow pipelines to fluctuate between the water surface and the channel bottom.

(c)  Mark all pipelines with the owner’s name for positive identification in the event of loss (that is, adrift) or damage to vessels operating in the area.

(4)  Identification and avoidance of submerged and buried pipelines and obstructions.

(a)  Prior to the start of any dredging, the dredger must conduct a thorough investigation to identify any underwater or underground pipeline utility lines that exist within the project area, to include the navigation channel, its set back, and the dredged material placement facility.  Verify all pipeline information provided in USACE contract documents.

(b)  Precautionary measures such as no spud, no anchor, no dredge, and tolerance zones must be understood, agreed to, and in place before the project begins. Communicate these zones on all project documents and strictly enforce them during the project.

(c)  Identify temporary submerged obstructions and dangers, such as anchors and supporting rigging, and review them at least once per shift, if not more often as the situation changes.

(5)  Design dredges so that a failure or rupture of any of the dredge pump components, including dredge pipe, will not cause the dredge to sink.  Make the data or plans supporting this capability available to the USACE supervisor/KO or COR upon request.

(6)  A QP must perform mobilization, demobilization, and relocation of dredges, support barges, support tenders, tugs, and heavy equipment.

(7)  Hopper dredges must offer a safe means and process to load and unload personnel.

(8)  Any dredge that has a dredge pump below the waterline must have a bilge alarm or shutdown interface.

(9)  Secure covers of "stone boxes" with at least two positive means when the boxes are working under positive pressure.

(10)  Dredge Disposal Sites.

(a)  Drinking water.  Provide an adequate supply of drinking water at all dredge disposal sites according to chapter 35.  Provide cool water during hot weather.

(b)  Toilet facilities.  Provide toilet facilities according to the requirements of chapter 35.

(c)  Medical and first-aid requirements.  Provide first-aid and CPR trained personnel and medical equipment according to chapter 3 at all disposal areas.

(d)  Operate amphibious excavators according to the manufacturer’s operating instructions. Keep a copy of the operator’s manual with the equipment.  (See chapter 18)

(e)  Lighting. Provide lighting according to chapter 7 of this manual. The minimum lighting level in the vicinity of the disposal site shelter (that is, dump shack) is 5 foot- candles.

(f)  Disposal Site Shelters (Dump Shacks)

(f-1)  Provide disposal site shelters (dump shacks) to protect personnel from inclement weather and environmental hazards.  The shelter must be large enough to accommodate a minimum of four workers.  The shelter must have adequate seating for the workers, heating equipment, water cooler, and space to store all hand tools and PPE.  The shelter must be weather tight with operable windows with screens for ventilation.

(f-2)  All electrical systems must comply with the NFPA 70 (NEC).  All flexible electrical cords must be hard usage or extra-hard usage.  All frayed, patched, oil- soaked or worn electrical cords must be taken out of service.  (See chapter 11)

(f-3)  Portable generators used for lighting must comply with the requirements of chapter 11 of this manual and must be located downwind of shelters.

(f-4)  Do not use fossil fuels for heating.

(f-5)  Cover all rigid insulation with a non-combustible material to prevent accidental ignition.

(f-6)  Equip all shelters with a minimum of one multi-purpose fire extinguisher (see chapter 9).

n.  Scows and Barges. (19-8.n)

(1)  Equip scows that dump in open ocean waters with remote opening devices to preclude the transfer of personnel between the vessels.

(2)  Provide a safe means for transferring personnel between the towing vessels and scow according to paragraph 19-8.h(2).

(3)  Identify general and site-specific adverse weather and water conditions (for example, currents) under which the towing of scows or cargo barges is prohibited.

(4)  All barges and scows that are used as deck cargo barges must comply with 46 CFR Subpart B for intact stability of deck cargo barges.

(5)  Use personal fall protection devices or other fall protection according to chapter 21 and paragraph 19-8.i on all scows and open barges to prevent personnel transiting between the stern and bow of the vessel from falling into the hopper or falling off the side of the vessel to structures (for example, dock, vessels) located 6 feet (1.8 m) or more below.

o.  Navigation Locks and Vessel Locking.  (19-8.o)

(1)  Smoking, open flames, or other ignition sources is prohibited on lock structures within 50 feet (15.2 m) of vessels containing hazardous cargos of flammable or other HAZMAT (that is, “Red Flag” vessels) during approach and lockage.

(a)  When construction, maintenance, and other non-navigational related activities are taking place on or adjacent to the lock structure, the supervisor will relay information to supervisory personnel in these activities regarding the approach and passage of Red Flag vessels.

(b)  Prior to the start of work on these activities, the Work Crew Supervisor must establish safe zones that maintain at least the minimum 50 feet (15.2 m) required distance between Red Flag vessels and sources of ignition such as hot work and smoking areas.

(b-1)  Calculate the minimum distance vertically and horizontally throughout a lock chamber when the chamber is pumped out for maintenance.

(b-2)  Mark, barricade, or otherwise designate these zones so that personnel can easily distinguish them.

(b-3)  Include the location of and the restricted activities within these zones in the AHA and discuss them with workers prior to start of work.

(2)  Lockage of Red Flag Vessels.

(a)  Do not lock pleasure and commercial recreational craft through a lock chamber with Red Flag vessels.

(b)  When river traffic in the approach to a lock is light, do not simultaneously lock two Red Flag Vessels or tows, or simultaneously lock another vessel or tow carrying non-dangerous cargoes with a vessel or tow carrying dangerous cargoes.

(c)  When the river approach to a lock is congested, simultaneous lockage of the aforementioned vessels or tows, other than pleasure craft, may be permitted provided the following conditions are met:

(c-1)  The first vessel or tow entering and the last vessel or tow exiting are secured before the other enters or leaves.

(c-2)  Any vessel or tow carrying dangerous cargoes is not leaking.

(c-3)  All Masters involved have agreed to the joint use of the lock chamber.

512 EM385-1-1 Chapters 16-22