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!