INTERVIEW: Marine Equipment Solutions
Pile Buck’s interview with Marine Equipment Solutions (MES)—a trusted provider of marine construction equipment and services—to learn how their team supports complex infrastructure projects, what makes their equipment stand out, and how they’re bringing innovation and efficiency to the jobsite.
PB: Tell us about Marine Equipment Solutions. What kind of work do you support?
MES: We provide equipment and engineered solutions for a wide range of marine and heavy civil construction projects, including bridge and pier construction, dam rehab, dredging, shoreline restoration, and water diversion. Our customers include contractors, engineers, and government entities working across North America.
PB: What types of equipment do you offer for marine contractors?
MES: Our equipment lineup includes:
- Sectional barges for floating work platforms
- Winch and mooring systems
- Temporary cofferdams and water diversion systems
- Custom-fabricated rigging and steel components
- All of our equipment is available for sale or rental, and can be tailored to project specifications.
PB: What makes MES different from a traditional rental supplier?
MES: We go far beyond equipment rental. Our strength lies in our in-house engineering, fabrication, and technical support. We partner with our clients to develop customized, field-ready solutions that are safe, efficient, and code-compliant. Many of our projects involve design collaboration, CAD modeling, load planning, and installation logistics.
PB: Can you share how your sectional barges are used in marine construction?
MES: Contractors use our modular sectional barges for pile driving, drilling, crane work, and material staging in marine environments. These barges are engineered to handle heavy loads and can be configured to match unique site conditions. We support contractors with ballast planning, load calculations, and anchor setups, so the equipment arrives safe and job-ready.
Additionally, we produce barges that are compatible with all three major barge connection types, giving contractors the flexibility to integrate with existing fleets or adapt to specific project requirements without compromise.
PB: How do your cofferdam systems work for water diversion?
MES: Our portable cofferdam systems are built for non-invasive water control. They’re ideal for dam repairs, bridge work, culvert installations, or any job where crews need to create a dry workspace. Unlike sheet pile, they require minimal site disturbance, which is great for environmentally sensitive or short-duration projects.
PB: What role does MES play in engineering support for jobsite success?
MES: Our team works alongside project managers and engineers to help plan and implement custom solutions. We offer:
- 3D models and drawings for submittals
- Rigging and mooring layouts
- Ballast guidance for floating systems
- Custom fabrication and modification
We aim to reduce delays and uncertainty by solving logistical and equipment challenges before they hit the jobsite.
PB: How does MES help contractors meet environmental or permitting standards?
MES: Our equipment is designed to support compliance with environmental regulations, especially around turbidity, habitat disruption, and water quality. For example, our Portadam® water diversion system is often used in lieu of traditional sheet pile to reduce impact on aquatic ecosystems. Many agencies prefer this approach for temporary works.
PB: What kinds of clients or projects are best suited for working with MES?
MES: We work with everyone from heavy civil contractors and DOTs to federal agencies, engineers, and specialty marine subcontractors. Whether it’s a multi-phase dam upgrade or a short-term waterline repair, we scale our equipment and support to meet the needs of the job.
PB: How fast can MES deliver equipment to a jobsite?
MES: We can mobilize equipment quickly. We maintain a large fleet of barges, winches, and water control gear at strategic locations. For many jobs, we can turn around quotes, shipping, and delivery in a matter of days—which helps keep contractors on schedule and within budget.
PB: What kind of fabrication work do you handle in-house?
MES: Our fabrication team builds custom skids, platforms, catwalks, crane mats, lifting frames, and steel accessories tailored for marine environments. We also modify standard equipment to fit the geometry or constraints of a particular project. If a contractor needs a solution that doesn’t exist yet—we’ll build it.
PB: You’ve grown significantly in recent years. What’s driving that momentum?
MES: Our growth has come from a focus on field-driven solutions and trusted partnerships. By combining marine experience, engineering, and fabrication under one roof, we’ve built a model that resonates with contractors. Many of our customers come back to us again and again because we solve real problems, not just supply parts.
PB: We understand MES now brings together several legacy brands. How does that benefit your clients?
MES: That’s right. We’ve aligned under the MES brand to make it easier for clients to access our full range of services and expertise. Clients who previously worked with companies like Rasmussen, Poseidon Barge, or PortaDam now benefit from an integrated team that shares resources, engineering, and product lines.
One of the biggest advantages is on-time delivery. With all of these capabilities under one roof, we’re able to ensure the delivery of a complete and consolidated equipment package—reducing the risk of delays or shortages that can occur when sourcing from multiple suppliers.
PB: What advice would you give to contractors planning work over water?
MES: Bring in your equipment partner early in the process. Whether it’s barge layout, anchoring strategy, or access planning, we can help optimize your approach and reduce risk. We often support preconstruction planning, submittals, and permitting documentation—which can make or break the project timeline.
PB: How can readers learn more or start a conversation with your team?
MES: Visit us at MarineEquipmentSolutions.com to explore our product lines, capabilities, and case studies. You can also reach out directly through our contact form, or scan the QR code on our equipment flyers to get started. We’re always ready to talk through a challenge or provide a fast, accurate quote.
