Patent ID: 7326020
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. A method of building a levee or an island, said method comprising: dredging material from a body of water with a dredge assembly mounted to a hull, said dredge assembly having a sectioning apparatus and a capture plate, said capture plate being disposed to separate a portion of the material being dredged from the bottom of the body of water; supporting a hopper with said hull, the hopper being adapted to receive the material, said hopper including a floor, at least a portion of the floor being moveable to permit movement of the material in the hopper; depositing a first portion of dredged material at a desired island or levee location from said dredge using a transfer conveyor belt, said transfer conveyor belt being pivotably mounted on the hull and being shiftable between a first position in which the transfer conveyor belt receives dredged material from the dredge assembly and not said hopper, and conveys the material off the vessel to at least an island or levee loction and a second position in which the transfer conveyor belt receives dredged material from the dredge assembly and conveys the dredged material into said hopper; depositing a second portion of said dredged material into said hopper with said transfer conveyor in said second position; and depositing dredged material at said desired island or levee location from said hopper.