Ross Laboratories, Inc. delivered the second “Ross Mini-Sweep System” to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District. The on-time delivery is the second sweep boat system to the Rock Island District in the past twelve months.
The “Mini-Sweep” is ideally suited for installation on small trailerable vessels. The “turn-key” system for Rock Island District is installed on a custom designed 34-ft. cathedral hull work boat
from SeaArk Marine, Inc. of Monticello, Arkansas. The “Mini-Sweep” system is specifically designed for inland and shallow water surveying.
Two 20-ft. hydraulically operated booms mounted on either side of the vessel will provide a 50-ft. overall sweep width. The booms are stored in recessed areas in the hull, leaving the deck clear at all times. The booms are deployed by an independent hydraulic system using controls at the helm station.
Electronics are stowed in two desktop cabinets, one containing the depth sounding system and the other a data collection computer and DGPS sub-meter system. Coastal Oceanographics “HYPACK MAX” and “HYSWEEP” software were installed for data processing.
The Rock Island District is responsible for surveying on 314 miles of the Upper Mississippi River from Guttenberg, Iowa to Saverton, Missouri, and 268 miles of the Illinois Waterway from Lake Street in Downtown Chicago to the LaGrange Lock and Dam, southwest of Beardstown, Illinois. This new trailerable boat system will help District survey crews respond to critical surveys much faster, with only a two person crew.