Material distribution vessel and method for distributing material recovered in a dredging operation

Abstract

A material distribution vessel for distributing material recovered in a dredging operation is disclosed. The material distribution vessel includes a hull; a propulsion system for selectively moving the hull through a waterway; and a conveyor system supported by the hull. The conveyor system has a first end for receiving recovered material and a second end for depositing the recovered material. At least a portion of the conveyor system is movable relative to the hull to move the second end to a desired position. The material distribution vessel also includes at least one support pad. The at least one support pad is movable in at least a vertical direction to support the hull on a bottom of the waterway. The recovered material may be deposited into the waterway to form an island (which may be a levy), into another water-borne vessel, or into an on-shore station such as a wheeled transportation vehicle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A material distribution vessel for distributing material recovered in a dredging operation comprising: 
 a hull;    a propulsion system for selectively moving the hull through a waterway;    a conveyor system supported by the hull, the conveyor system having a first end for receiving recovered material and a second end for depositing the recovered material, at least a portion of the conveyor system being movable relative to the hull to move the second end to a desired position, wherein the conveyor system includes a first conveyor including the first end and a second conveyor including the second end, the first and second conveyors cooperate to move the recovered material from the first end to the second end, the second conveyor comprises the at least a portion of the conveyor system, and the second conveyor is retractable, extendable and pivotable relative to the first conveyor; and    at least one support pad, the at least one support pad being movable in at least a vertical direction to support the hull on a bottom of the waterway.    
     
     
         2 . A material distribution vessel as defined in  claim 1  wherein the hull includes ballast tanks.  
     
     
         3 . A material distribution vessel as defined in  claim 1  wherein the ballast tanks can be selectively filled and emptied.  
     
     
         4 . A material distribution vessel as defined in  claim 1  wherein the at least a portion of the conveyor system extends beyond a first side of the hull and the ballast tanks are positioned on a second side of the hull, the second side being opposite the first side.