06/02/2026
Dean Marine and Excavating : Gettin' her done (unlike anything you have ever seen)
With possibly one of the longer loads to transit the waters of the Great Lakes. (longer than the 1000' lake freighters that pass by regularly)
From our estimates, given the length of the tugs, barge, tow lines and load, this entire length of this is perhaps over 1500' feet long.
Dean Marine and Excavating's lead tug the Madison R is 103' long plus the tow line which appears to be more than double her length, plus the barge Louise at 120' plus her tow line , then the secondary barge and finally the load of 12 pipes (10) which are 1000' long steel pipes.
The dredging pipelines have been temporarily welded together at 1000' lengths (with the ends capped) and will be transported and later assembled on the job site (according to DME staff)
ABOUT DME
DME Dean Marine and Excavating is a trusted marine construction and excavation company based in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Since 2007, the company has specialized in shoreline restoration, dredging, dock and marina construction, seawall repair, and marine towing services throughout the Great Lakes region and across the United States.
Known for its experienced crews and specialized marine equipment fleet, Dean Marine and Excavating delivers reliable solutions for commercial, municipal, and government projects. The company routinely works with organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and waterfront municipalities.
DME Dean Marine and Excavating offers a full range of marine and excavating services, including break wall construction, sheet pile installation, barge services, marine salvage, concrete work, and emergency response operations. Their skilled team focuses on safety, efficiency, and completing projects on schedule and within budget.
Located in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Dean Marine and Excavating has built a strong reputation for quality workmanship and dependable marine infrastructure services across the Great Lakes. The company maintains a fleet of tugboats, barges, cranes, and excavation equipment designed to handle complex waterfront and marine construction projects.
There are additional photos in addition to this video, so be sure to check out the Windsor Aerial Drone Photography page for more content on this remarkable load.
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