MARSSAM builds and maintains Scripps style rock dredges. These are rectangular dredge buckets (36″ x 13.25″) with 4″ teeth. We also have a few circular dredges that some PIs prefer for sampling pillow basalts. MARSSAM has multiple pingers and a ultra-short baseline (USBL) beacon that can be used for more precise tracking of the dredge location.

MARSSAM generates shear pins to be used with weak links on the dredge-wire interface. We employ a variety of bolts but based on our laboratory break testing experiments, brass appears to be the most reliable in breaking at the desired tension limits. Therefore, we have transitioned to fabricating and using brass pins.

On a dredging focused expedition we will send the MARSSAM dredge van. This is a 20′ van that contains tools, supplies and spares needed to quickly diagnose and fix most issues that may arise during operations.