::: ::: Krech Ojard Engineers and Architects ::: :::

Architecture Overview
Educational/Institutional
--Proctor Schools
--Rockridge Elementary
--Kirby Plaza Project
--St. Scholastica
--St. Scholastica Housing
--Aftenro Home
--Bemidji State University
--Pike Lake Elementary

Commercial
--KBJR TV6
--North Shore Bank Place
--Colonial Square
--Edgewater Hotel Waterpark
--Hermantown Plaza
--Holappa Office Building
--Link Snacks Headquarters
--Metro Credit Union
--Midtown Professional Bldg

Cultural
--Nett Lake

Convenience Store
--Bena Community Center
--Bois Forte Public Works
--Leech Lake Early Childhood
--Mille Lacs Gov't Center
--Mille Lacs Housing
--Mille Lacs Wellness Center
--Minishinaakwang
--Nay Ah Shing Renovation
--Bad River Elder Center
--Vermilion Wellness Center

Healthcare/Municipal
--Superior Bong Airport
--Gnesen Township Fire Hall
--Cornerstone Dental
--Lakeside Dental,

Civil Overview
--WI Dept. of Transportation
--NSSR Railroad Bridge
--Brule River Bridge
--Eastview Road Bridge
--North Shore Bank

of Commerce
--Hammond Ave
--Hibbing Taconite Co.
--West Buckhorn Road
--Bluff Creek Bridge
--Ferncliff Park
--Heartland State Trail
--Kirby Plaza

Marine Overview
--Midwest Energy Resources
--Seaway Port Authority
--Raising Panama Barge
--Douglas MacArthur Bridge
--City of Detroit
--Mobile River Terminal
--Denver Water Gross Dam
--Gulf Port Mississippi
--Conoco/Venco
--CN Ore Docks
--Cenex-Harvest
--General Mills
--Interlake Steel Superfund
--Lorain Harbor
--Michigan Island Dock
--P & C Docks
--Port of Erie
--Silver Bay Safe Harbor
--South Wind Maritime

Mechanical & Electrical

Mechanical &
Electrical Overview
--Web Inspection Model (3d)
--Shiploader Fatigue (3d)
--Taconite Ballingdrums (3d)
--Sand Processing Fac. (3d)
--Paper Machine Model (3d)
--Ore Loadout Study (3d)
--Olmsted Dam (3d)
--Limestone Material

Handling Study (3d)
--Flour Load-out Study (3d)
--Fine Ore Surge Conveyor

Study (3d)
--Derrick Screens (3d)
--Dust Collection

System (3d)
--Dust Suppression system
--Seward Storage Facility
-- Minntac

Limestone Unloading
-- Minntac Conversion
--Midwest Energy
--Consumers Energy
--Hallett Dock
--Taconite Harbor
--Color-coded P & IDs

Structural Overview
--Graymont Superior Plant
--Olmsted Dam (3d)
--Interflour Vietnam (3d)
--United Taconite (3d)
--Shiploader Assessment
--Dallas Convention Center
--School District of Superior
--Duluth's Bayfront

Music Pavillion
--Minnesota Slip Bridge

Rail Overview
--Hallet Dock
--Peru Copper
--Gavilon
--Potlatch
--ABC Rail
--NorthShoreScenicRailroad
--CN Bridge Replacement
--CN Rail Siding Extensions
--Cleveland Cliffs-Rail Study
--Hibbing Taconite Co.
--North Shore Mining
--Poly Met DFS Study
--Taconite Harbor-Rail Study
--CN Rail WI

Main Realignment
--Alaskan Railroad's Seward

Storage Facility

Panama Barge and Excavator Salvage Duluth, MN

Project Description: Krech Ojard's certified Engineer Divers were tasked with recovering the Panama Barge and an Excavator that sank in the Duluth/Superior Harbor on Lake Superior. The barge sustained damage and lost buoyancy causing it to capsize and sink with all it's contents including a large excavator that was used for dredging, tools, and materials.

The Engineer Divers developed a salvage plan to help the barge regain it's buoyancy using air to force the water out of it's holds. The divers were also used to analyze the damage while the barge and excavator still lay underwater. This allowed for a quicker response and salvage for the situation.

barge damage locations

Special Issues and Needs:
Underwater hazards such as visibility, water temperatures and currents were all issues in the Duluth/Superior Harbor on Lake Superior. Spill containment was also a priority with contaminants from the barge and an excavator that also sank in the harbor with the barge. Tools and machinery from the barge deck also needed to be located and salvaged.

showing barge partially submerged and spill

Services provided:
• Developed Salvage Plan
• Performed Project Management & Coordination
• Recovered Barge & Excavator

Project Summary:
This project utilized Underwater Engineer Divers to analyze the barge's situation and condition, devise a plan for raising the barge and also for installing necessary solutions.

barge with excavator loaded

NSSR Bridge Replacement

Ontario Railroad Announcement

Superior Bong Airport

Graymont Superior

Download (PDF)
Service List

GSA Advantage
Services

Mechanical & Electrical

Architecture Dept.