Rebuilding of a large single hull tank barge into double hull

This paper presents Maritrans' groundbreaking experience in rebuilding very large single hull barges into OPA-90 compliant double hull barges. Details of the process are described along with interesting case studies involving aspects of analysis and construction. The process by which the American Bureau of Shipping certified this barge to be a "Grade I " under the ABS SafeHull Condition Assessment Program is described in detail. There is a brief discussion of extending this rebuild process to the double hulling of tankers.