Fireworks Barge Shows

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Barge Shows

Fireworks at sea can be a neat experience, but fireworks on a barge present additional challenges and logistics to your fireworks display. Barge shows have special safety considerations, crew access, and staffing issues that you don’t normally have to consider at a fireworks display. These challenges are present regardless of shooting fireworks at sea or on a lake.

You can find a good list of discussion topics to go over with the tow company on our fireworks pre-production page.

Special Safety Considerations

Life Jackets

Life Jackets are required while at sea and sometimes required while setting up in the port as well. They can sometimes get in the way while setting up, but are necessary either way in case you end up in the drink. Make sure you understand who will provide them.

Tow Boat Crew

You will sometimes have someone from the tow company on the barge with you. During the show the tug can sometimes tie up to the barge in a side-tow configuration to keep the barge in position. Make sure the tow captain and any tow personnel are protected and part of your safety plan/brief.

Special Procedures

Since you will be at sea, with no light at night in most cases, how you account for all of your crew needs to be discussed with the barge captain and communicated to the crew. It is recommended to have a buddy system, so there is always someone who is actively looking out for you to make sure you are still present.

Shelter

Where will you be shooting from? Will you have overhead shelter from the weather and for fireworks safety? Sometimes you will have the shipping container on the barge that can be used as shelter, other times you may have to improvise and build your own, for fireworks safety at a minimum. You can’t run away like you can on land if things go wrong, so a good barrier between you and the fireworks is a must.

Considerations for Going to Sea

Fire Inspection

The fire inspector from the AHJ will likely inspect your setup while the barge is in port and not come to sea with you, so be sure to communicate a good time for inspection as to not make for a late departure. For this and safety reasons, don’t consider completing your setup while underway.

Crew Limits

Depending on whether your barge is going to be on the ocean or a lake will dictate any coast guard or AHJ rules for how many crew you can take to sea. You can usually have additional crew for setup while barge is docked, but can’t take everyone to see with you. Discuss with barge company ahead of time.

Sea Spray Protection

Even if it is not raining, you should consider water proofing your setup depending on the barge type and sea conditions. Rough seas mean big spray.

Self Sufficiency

You can go for a food run or drive to home depot if you need additional equipment, so make sure you bring everything you need and then some. Give special consideration to first aid equipment, food/drink, warm clothing & rain gear.

Barge Setup Considerations

Electrical Firing

Some barges have metal decks, so to avoid weird electrical situations, make sure none of your modules, especially Pyrodigital, are not sitting directly on the decks. Put a couple wooden cleats underneath them.

Large Caliber Fireworks

Put the largest caliber fireworks at the end of the barge opposite from where you will be shooting from for maximal protection. Consider strapping large caliber sand barrels together for stability.

Mortar Angles

Since you typically have nothing around a fireworks barge while at sea, you can apply more extreme angles to the mortars for any simultaneous shots and your finale. Take advantage of the extra space and consider how far you likely are from your audience so a good spread is important.

Equipment Access

Does your equipment have to be craned from the dock to the barge? If so, make sure your equipment and product is palletized, and plan to have what is needed to reverse this for load-out. Some barges you can drive the pyro truck directly onto the barge, just be sure you are aware and prepared for which ever is required.

Barge Layout

There are many different flavors of barges, some which may have obstructions on the deck that limit where you can set up and what type of equipment can be used. Be sure you understand what type of barge you will have and any challenges it may pose.