Derrick Barge

E4. Cruise, offshore energy and auxiliary/specialised fleets

Definition

Crane barge for heavy lifts.

A derrick barge is a flat-bottomed or ship-shaped barge fitted with a high-capacity revolving or fixed derrick crane for offshore heavy lifts: installing jackets, decks, bridges, and modules. Older units use a fixed-boom derrick on a moored barge held by an anchor pattern; modern equivalents are revolving-crane or semi-submersible crane vessels with dynamic positioning. Lift capacities range from a few hundred to several thousand tonnes. The barge is moved and held by anchor-handling tugs unless self-propelled and DP-equipped. Lifting follows IMCA M 187 and class lifting-appliance rules.

Source: IMCA M 187 lifting operations; class lifting-appliance rules (e.g., Lloyd's Register Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment).