Welcome Back All,

Please forgive my silence these last several months. I've been concerned by threats and allegations of misconduct (on my part.) So, I have done some research into the matter (nothing like public reporting for access to factual information.) But let me begin with my own encounter.

My Internet provider received a certified letter at an old post office box they kept. The letter's contents were intimidating to say the least, containing threats of law suits regarding my misconduct for making libelous allegations in this blog and also that I was the stooge of another manufacturer who had stolen all of his ideas. In my professional career I have endured such before and in general I assess the potential liability and act accordingly in my best interests. In this instance I had other fish to fry so I let it stand as it was and pursued other interests.

I had occasion the other day to look back into this matter. So I Googled my accuser and found a patent application here: patent application extract. It has not, to my knowledge, been granted. In fact a suit seeking injunctive relief is documented here and it appears that this man was unsuccessful and that his patent application will most likely fail as the previous extract states that any original ideas were allowed into the public domain before any patent action had occurred. Then I Yahoo-ed him and found this interesting article: Local arrested for death threat (here is a PDF version of the same article: PDF version )

I began to wonder if this was his modus operandi so I contacted some acquaintances in the industry and discovered that this man is known for this behavior. In my opinion he seems a bit tightly strung and doesn’t play well with others. He seems to be someone to be avoided at all costs.

And then this email dropped in my proverbial lap (this is a transcription of an email penned in December 2008 – its source-a reader of this blog – its content has not been verified.):

“In July 2004, I purchased a barge from MPD [Marine Pile Drivers, LLC.]. I had problems right from the start. The delivery date was to be July. It was the END of September when it was delivered.

I unloaded the barge at the marina where I had my first job! Right away I noticed a lack of support in the derrick so I had to hire a welder to add some support to the middle and the top. The base plate had two bolts in the front. This needed another one inch bolt to make it safe. Just before I put it [the barge] in the water I noticed the cylinder on the deck that moves the derrick back and forth was clamped down to the deck but the track was not level with the deck, there was a big bow in the cylinder rod when you moved it forward. So I had to make another bracket so that it would not break.

Now I am about to drive my first piling; we have all kinds of people waiting to see this machine work! The owner of the marina had been more than patient with me, with all the delays and issues so far. The THIRD time I hit the piling the hammer cylinder blew out. Hydraulic oil was everywhere. Needless to say, I lost that job… and my reputation. (Keep in mind I have my life savings tied up in the machine.) I made a few phone calls [to MPD] most of which were not answered or returned. So I got the cylinder repaired.

It was about a month before I managed to get another pier job after the issue at the marina. I drove about ten to fifteen pilings, put the spuds down [to anchor the barge for the night] and left it overnight as I had done every night thus far. The next morning I get a call from one of the neighbors that my barge is in his yard. I went over and sure enough the barge is up in the yard and the spuds are one hundred and fifty feet out in the river! The spud brackets and pins were too weak like everything else. So I called again and MPD told me, “This was my fault.” And he would not stand behind this equipment. That is how cheap and poorly built this machine is.

I have it now the best it can be. This is after lots and lots of $$$$$$ [spent by me to make it right.]”


And so this tail of woe concludes.

I’ve not met Mr. James R. Cannon of Marine Pile Drivers, LLC (MPD), Minden, Louisiana but my experience of him is not good. Remember, I am a messenger not a customer. Herein I speak my opinion and relate information and facts as I find them or they come to me. But when I read an email like this I really lose faith in this man’s character. Maybe there are rebuttals to this email or other stories that paint a better picture that I am not aware of so I ask you readers, if you have experience or a relationship with MPD, good or bad, please let me have your comments for publication here. I don’t wish to treat this person unfairly and to that end will publish every communication in its entirety if the submitter allows (please be sure to state clearly whether you do or don’t want your story published.)

And Mr. Cannon, let’s have your reasonable comments too, no vitriol please and I will publish them in-line where appropriate.

Please email me at thevoice@bettermademarinepiledrivers.com

Thanks for your attention, The Voice

Welcome All,

I want to comment on what constitutes a well built barge and/ or marine pile driver. Some would have you believe that only one company can build a good machine, that only one company has the technology and knowledge to build a workhorse machine that you can make money with and that all others are just imitators.

To begin with steel barges have been constructed and used for well over a century, nothing new there. Many innovations have happened over the years and design refinements still do occur all the time. The construction of marine pile drivers has also been going on for as long as man has needed a place to 'park' marine vessels. Innovations and refinements have developed as needs have changed and also to improve productivity. The simple fact remains that there is little new under the sun relative to the design and engineering of barges and marine pile drivers.

Why comment on this? Because it has been said that there have been significant 'new' advances in the design of these machines. Suffice to say that this is not so. Yes there have been innovations that have improved productivity but most if not all of these are just innovations not new technology.

So what makes a good barge or marine pile driver? My thoughts lead to a machine that is easy to use and reliable. And, as these are production machines, they require service, so that's another important part of this equation.

I invite your comments and experiences. Tell me what you think. You are the businessmen who use these tools everyday and know who treats you well, who makes a good machine and services it quickly and fairly.

I hope to foster an open blog that directs both current and new members of the marine construction industry to valuable and functional products and away from less than competent manufacturers. Ask your questions and suggest topics for research and discovery.

Thanks for visiting my soap box!