DREDGING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PAST

36 Years Ago – 1977

The Canadian Department of Public Works of Vancouver took delivery of the survey vessel Profiler equipped with a pioneering multi-transducer sweep system that showed small rock pinnacles or shoals missed by single-transducer surveys. The two 85-foot booms each deployed seven transducers for a 100-foot sweep width.

Judith Powers joined the staff of World Dredging & Marine Construction as associate editor.

30 Years Ago – 1983

Ira “Bubba” Smith was honored for booking more than a million dollars in sales of Motorola’s Mini-Ranger® electronic positioning systems in 1982.

The Corps of Engineers announced that it would retire three hopper dredges – the small class Dredge Pacific and Dredge Hoffman and the medium class Dredge Biddle.

20 Years Ago – 1993

Innerspace Technology introduced the Model 449 echo sounder a low frequency sounder. They also introduced a dual frequency expansion unit for the 449 which allowed surveying in both low and high frequencies.

Mobile Pulley and Machine Works was acquired by company management. The new owners were Hannon S. Hairston president; Albert J. (Bubba) Savage III vice president Production; McGowin I. Patrick Jr. vice president Finance; and Clifton C. Inge Jr. vice president marketing. They purchased the company from a trust the main beneficiary of which was Executive Life Insurance Company of California.

10 Years Ago – 2003

Harry N. Cook retired as executive director of the National Waterways Council and Worth Hager was hired to succeed him.

Cashman Dredging Company added the backhoe dredge Captain Arthur J. Fournier to its fleet. The dredge was a barge-mounted Liebherr 994 excavator with a 7.5 cubic yard bucket. Cashman also purchased two new 4000 cubic yard split hull hopper barges.

5 Years Ago – 2008

Orion Marine Group acquired all the assets and business of Subaqueous Services Inc. for $35 million in cash.