Barge lid lifter system and method

A barge lid lifter system comprising:

• a load engagement mechanism comprising a mechanism frame, the mechanism frame comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a top plate, a dagger plate, a horizontal pivot pin, and a horizontal pivot pin sleeve;
• and
• a linear actuator of the load engagement mechanism, the linear actuator configured to position an arm over a dagger point on the dagger plate.

A method of lifting a barge lid comprising the steps of:

• landing a barge lid lifter system onto a barge lid, the barge lid lifter system having an upper frame and a lower frame joined by a plurality of cables, the lower frame comprising a plurality of load engagement mechanisms, wherein a plurality of lifting eyes of the barge lid are positioned between a dagger point and an arm of each of the plurality of load engagement mechanisms;
• and
• latching each of the plurality of barge lid lifting eyes, wherein each of the arms of the plurality of load engagement mechanisms close over each of the dagger points to retain the plurality of lifting eyes of the barge lid.