Mike Hooks Takes Delivery Of Idler Barge

SPI/Mobile Pulley Works has delivered a new idler barge, named the Jeremiah H, to dredging firm Mike Hooks LLC. The barge, outfitted with a hydraulic driver spud track that was engineered and manufactured by SPI/Mobile Pulley Works, was built and launched from Southwest Shipyard’s Galveston, Texas, facility, in August 2021, then sandblasted and painted at the shipyard’s facility within the Port of Houston.

On its first deployment, the Jeremiah H will be connected to the cutter suction dredge Missouri H and will work in the vicinity of Gulfport, Miss.

The idler barge, which measures 120 feet by 39 feet, 9 inches, with a depth of 7 feet, 11 inches, is equipped with SPI/Mobile Pulley Works’ hydraulic drive spud track, which offers 25 percent improved production compared to a fixed spud system. All movements are hydraulically driven and can be controlled by a single crew member from the dredge’s lever room.

Southwest Shipyard is also building a 27-inch cutter suction dredge for Mike Hooks. The forthcoming dredge Lorraine Hooks, which will measure 300 by 50 feet with an 11.5-foot depth, will have a maximum dredging depth of 75 feet. 

“We are excited that we have been able to diversify our new construction portfolio to service the dredging industry, while remaining close to our core business,” Southwest Shipyard President and CEO Scott Theriot said last August at the launch of the Jeremiah H. “Being able to accomplish this goal with two well-established and respected firms like Mike Hooks LLC and SPI/Mobile Pulley Works Inc. was extremely fortunate for everyone here at Southwest.”

The Lorraine Hooks, which will also be able to work in tandem with the Jeremiah H, will feature a spud carrier and living quarters.

“We at Southwest Shipyard are honored to be able to provide our construction experience and services to SPI/Mobile Pulley Works Inc. and the Mike Hooks family,” said David Chacon, managing director for new construction projects at Southwest Shipyard. “We see these projects as an opportunity to diversify and strengthen our business portfolio.”

SPI/Mobile Pulley Works expects to deliver the Lorraine Hooks to Mike Hooks in the second quarter of this year.

Mike Hooks LLC, family owned and operated since 1945, is a Louisiana-based provider of dredging services for both the government and private marine construction contractors. Channelview, Texas-based Southwest Shipyard goes back to 1954 and now operates four facilities in the Houston region. SPI/Mobile Pulley Works is a Mobile, Ala.-based supplier of dredges, large fabrications, castings and machined parts for the global dredging industry.

“With more than 130 years of experience, our commitment to excellence, quality and customer satisfaction is known worldwide,” said Robert Jonk, SPI/Mobile Pulley Works’ senior vice president. “At SPI/Mobile Pulley Works, we are constantly growing to meet the challenges and demands of the industry.”

Caption for photo: The idler barge Jeremiah H was built by Southwest Shipyard and SPI/Mobile Pulley Works.