Orion (ORN) 10-Q 4 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ORION MARINE GROUP INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001402829	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	27,348,097
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$31,155	$43,084
Accounts receivable:	'	'
Trade, net of allowance of $0	44,154	45,072
Retainage	9,238	8,213
Other	529	1,712
Income taxes receivable	2,915	3,110
Note receivable	46	46
Inventory	5,458	4,354
Deferred tax asset	399	37
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	25,146	19,245
Asset held for sale	823	920
Prepaid expenses and other	1,010	2,857
Total current assets	120,873	128,650
Property and equipment, net	146,563	150,671
Accounts receivable, long-term	1,410	1,410
Inventory, non-current	915	915
Goodwill	34,817	34,817
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	265	627
Other assets	217	225
Total assets	305,060	317,315
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current debt	9,343	12,621
Accounts payable:	'	'
Trade	24,369	28,744
Retainage	1,931	2,433
Accrued liabilities	10,960	12,456
Accrued Income Taxes, Current	774	252
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	14,643	16,369
Total current liabilities	62,020	72,875
Other long-term liabilities	936	564
Deferred income taxes	16,216	18,496
Deferred revenue	103	146
Total liabilities	79,275	92,081
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders’ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock -- $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 authorized, none issued	0	0
Common stock -- $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized, 27,665,828 and 27,530,220 issued; 27,348,097 and 27,212,489 outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	278	275
Treasury stock, 317,731 shares, at cost	-3,003	-3,003
Additional paid-in capital	163,346	160,973
Retained earnings	65,137	66,939
Equity attributable to common stockholders	225,758	225,184
Noncontrolling interest	27	50
Total stockholders’ equity	225,785	225,234
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$305,060	$317,315

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$0	$0
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,665,828	27,530,220
Common stock, shares outstanding	27,348,097	27,212,489
Treasury stock, shares	-317,731	-317,731

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Contract revenues	$88,992,000	$75,386,000	$248,131,000	$193,408,000
Costs of contract revenues	83,381,000	70,493,000	228,859,000	191,560,000
Gross profit (loss)	5,611,000	4,893,000	19,272,000	1,848,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,974,000	7,185,000	23,491,000	21,754,000
Income (loss) from operations	-2,363,000	-2,292,000	-4,219,000	-19,906,000
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
(Loss) gain from sale of assets, net	'	'	59,000	156,000
Other income	0	44,000	614,000	228,000
Interest income	0	4,000	13,000	23,000
Interest expense	-111,000	-235,000	-427,000	-638,000
Other (income) expense, net	-111,000	-187,000	200,000	-387,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	-2,474,000	-2,479,000	-4,019,000	-20,293,000
Income tax benefit	-1,500,000	-885,000	-2,161,000	-6,941,000
Net income (loss)	-974,000	-1,594,000	-1,858,000	-13,352,000
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-31,000	0	-56,000	0
Net income (loss)	($943,000)	($1,594,000)	($1,802,000)	($13,352,000)
Basic loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.03)	($0.06)	($0.07)	($0.49)
Diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.03)	($0.06)	($0.07)	($0.49)
Shares used to compute income (loss) per share	'	'	'	'
Basic (shares)	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
Diluted (shares)	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In	Retained	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning at Dec. 31, 2012	$225,234,000	$275,000	($3,003,000)	$160,973,000	$66,939,000	$50,000
Treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	-317,731	'	-317,731	'	'	'
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	27,530,220	27,530,221	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	1,636,000	'	'	1,636,000	'	'
Exercise of stock options	740,000	3,000	'	737,000	'	'
Contributions from non-controlling interest	33,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	135,607	135,607	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-1,802,000	'	'	'	-1,802,000	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-56,000	'	'	'	'	-56,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-1,858,000	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning at Sep. 30, 2013	$225,785,000	$278,000	($3,003,000)	$163,346,000	$65,137,000	$27,000
Treasury stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	-317,731	'	-317,731	'	'	'
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	27,665,828	27,665,828	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net loss	($1,858)	($13,352)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	16,187	16,038
Deferred financing cost amortization	53	158
Bad debt expense (recoveries)	-2	1
Deferred income taxes	-2,639	-4,152
Stock-based compensation	1,636	2,372
Gain on sale of property and equipment	-59	-156
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,078	-12,165
Income tax receivable	195	11,347
Inventory	-1,105	-197
Note receivable	0	5
Prepaid expenses and other	1,803	668
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	-5,901	2,906
Accounts payable	-4,877	7,086
Accrued liabilities	-1,122	994
Income tax payable	519	0
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts, net	-1,726	11,046
Deferred revenue	-43	-43
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,139	22,556
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	191	349
Purchase of property and equipment	-11,751	-22,344
Net cash used in investing activities	-11,560	-21,995
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Borrowings from Credit Facility	0	13,000
Payments made on borrowings from Credit Facility	-3,278	-2,489
Contributions from non-controlling interest	33	0
Exercise of stock options	737	176
Increase in loan costs	0	14
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-2,508	10,673
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-11,929	11,234
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	43,084	38,979
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	31,155	50,213
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information, cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	393	675
Taxes (net of refunds)	($267)	($14,138)

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	'
	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Description of Business
	Orion Marine Group, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates (hereafter collectively referred to as “Orion” or the “Company”) provide a broad range of marine construction services on, over and under the water along the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic Seaboard, the West Coast, Alaska, Canada and in the Caribbean Basin. The Company also has a marketing, but not an operational presence in Australia and the Middle East.  Our heavy civil marine projects include marine transportation facilities; bridges and causeways; marine pipelines; mechanical and hydraulic dredging and specialty projects.  We are headquartered in Houston, Texas.
	Although we describe our business in this report in terms of the services we provide, our base of customers and the geographic areas in which we operate, we have concluded that our operations comprise one reportable segment pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 280 – Segment Reporting.  In making this determination, we considered that each project has similar characteristics, includes similar services, has similar types of customers and is subject to the same regulatory environment.  We organize, evaluate and manage our financial information around each project when making operating decisions and assessing our overall performance.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and financial information included herein have been prepared pursuant to the interim period reporting requirements of Form 10-Q.  Consequently, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted.  Readers of this report should also read our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (“2012 Form 10-K”) as well as Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations also included in our 2012 Form 10-K.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Interim results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Principles	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Principles
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.   Management’s estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience; however, actual amounts could differ from those estimates.
	On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the significant accounting policies used to prepare its condensed consolidated financial statements, including, but not limited to, those related to:
	•	Revenue recognition from construction contracts;
	•	Allowance for doubtful accounts;
	•	Testing of goodwill and other long-lived assets for possible impairment;
	•	Income taxes;
	•	Self-insurance; and
	•	Stock based compensation.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company records revenue for financial statement purposes on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of contract costs incurred to date to total estimated costs for each contract. This method is used because management considers contract costs incurred to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts. Contract revenue reflects the original contract price adjusted for agreed upon change orders. Contract costs include all direct costs, such as material and labor, and those indirect costs related to contract performance such as payroll taxes and insurance. General and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Claims for payment that have not been approved by the customer are not recognized as an increase in contract revenue until and unless collection is deemed probable and if the amount can be reasonably estimated. Until approved by the customer, claims are not included as part of the computation of revenue. Incentive fees, if available, are billed to the customer based on the terms and conditions of the contract.  The Company records revenue and the unbilled receivable for claims to the extent of costs incurred and to the extent we believe related collection is probable and includes no profit on claims recorded. Changes in the scope of work, job performance, and job conditions, including those arising from final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and revenues and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined, without regard to the percentage of completion. Revenue is recorded net of any sales taxes collected and paid on behalf of the customer, if applicable.
	The current asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed, which management believes will be billed and collected within one year of the completion of the contract. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.
	The Company’s projects are typically short in duration, and usually span a period of less than one year.  Historically, the Company has not combined or segmented contracts.
	Classification of Current Assets and Liabilities
	The Company includes in current assets and liabilities amounts realizable and payable in the normal course of contract completion.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  At times, cash held by financial institutions may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not historically sustained losses on our cash balances in excess of federally insured limits.  Cash equivalents at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted primarily of money market mutual funds and overnight bank deposits.
	Foreign Currencies
	Historically, the Company’s exposure to foreign currency fluctuations has not been material and has been limited to temporary field accounts, located in countries where the Company performs work, which amounts were insignificant in either 2013 or 2012.
	Risk Concentrations
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
	The Company depends on its ability to continue to obtain federal, state and local governmental contracts, and indirectly, on the amount of funding available to these agencies for new and current governmental projects. Therefore, a substantial portion of the Company’s operations may be dependent upon the level and timing of government funding.  Statutory mechanics liens provide the Company high priority in the event of lien foreclosures following financial difficulties of private owners, thus minimizing credit risk with private customers.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying value, less write-offs and allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company has significant investments in billed and unbilled receivables as of September 30, 2013. Billed receivables represent amounts billed upon the completion of small contracts and progress billings on large contracts in accordance with contract terms and milestones. Unbilled receivables on fixed-price contracts, which are included in costs in excess of billings, arise as revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method. Unbilled amounts on cost-reimbursement contracts represent recoverable costs and accrued profits not yet billed. Revenue associated with these billings is recorded net of any sales tax, if applicable. Past due balances over 90 days and other higher risk amounts are reviewed individually for collectability.  In establishing an allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company evaluates its contract receivables and costs in excess of billings and thoroughly reviews historical collection experience, the financial condition of its customers, billing disputes and other factors. The Company writes off uncollectible accounts receivable against the allowance for doubtful accounts if it is determined that the amounts will not be collected or if a settlement is reached for an amount that is less than the carrying value. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had not recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts.
	Balances billed to customers but not paid pursuant to retainage provisions in construction contracts generally become payable upon contract completion and acceptance of the work by the owner.  Retention at September 30, 2013 totaled $9.2 million, of which $1.8 million is expected to be collected beyond 2014.  Retention at December 31, 2012 totaled $8.2 million.
	At September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $1.4 million in long-term receivables. These relate to items that are due the Company for work performed under contract, but are not expected to be collected within one year. Management does not consider these receivables as distressed and currently expects to prevail in its collection litigation efforts. Management continues to evaluate and assess these items for collectibility and therefore, no allowance has been recorded.
	The Company negotiates change orders and claims with its customers. Unsuccessful negotiations of claims could result in a change to contract revenue that is less than its carrying value, which could result in the recording of a loss. Successful claims negotiations could result in the recovery of previously recorded losses. Significant losses on receivables could adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations and overall liquidity.
	Advertising Costs
	The Company primarily obtains contracts through the open bid process, and therefore advertising costs are not a significant component of expense.  Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
	Environmental Costs
	Costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense.  Other environmental costs are also charged to expense unless they increase the value of the property and/or provide future economic benefits, in which event the costs are capitalized.  Liabilities, if any, are recognized when the expenditure is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
	Fair Value Measurements
	We evaluate and present certain amounts included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at “fair value” in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to base our estimates on assumptions market participants, in an orderly transaction, would use to price an asset or liability, and to establish a hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to determine fair value.  In measuring fair value, we use the following inputs in the order of priority indicated:
	Level I – Quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
	Level II – Observable inputs other than Level I prices, such as (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; (ii) quoted prices in markets that have insufficient volume or infrequent transactions; and (iii) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level III – Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the fair value measurement.
	We generally apply fair value valuation techniques on a non-recurring basis associated with (1) valuing assets and liabilities acquired in connection with business combinations and other transactions; (2) valuing potential impairment loss related to long-lived assets; and (3) valuing potential impairment loss related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
	Inventory
	Inventory consists of parts and small equipment held for use in the ordinary course of business and is valued at the lower of cost (using historical average cost) or market. Where shipping and handling costs are incurred by us, these charges are included in inventory and charged to cost of contract revenue upon use.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Ordinary maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the useful life of the asset are expensed as incurred.  Major renewals and betterments of equipment are capitalized and depreciated generally over three to seven years until the next scheduled maintenance.
	When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations for the respective period.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial statement purposes, as follows:
	Automobiles and trucks	3 to 5 years
	Buildings and improvements	5 to 30 years
	Construction equipment	3 to 15 years
	Vessels and dredges	1 to 15 years
	Office equipment	1 to 5 years
	The Company generally uses accelerated depreciation methods for tax purposes where appropriate.
	Dry-docking costs are capitalized and amortized on the straight-line method over a period ranging from three to 15 years until the next scheduled dry-docking.  Dry-docking activities include, but are not limited to, the inspection, refurbishment and replacement of steel, engine components, tailshafts, mooring equipment and other parts of the vessel.  Amortization related to dry-docking activities is included as a component of depreciation.  These activities and the related amortization periods are periodically reviewed to determine if the estimates are accurate.  If warranted, a significant upgrade of equipment may result in a revision to the useful life of the asset, in which case, the change is accounted for prospectively.
	Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value, less the costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. In late 2012, several assets were identified and recorded as held for sale, with an expected disposition date within one year.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The Company has acquired businesses and assets in purchase transactions that resulted in the recognition of goodwill.  Goodwill represents the costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets in the acquisition.  In accordance with U.S. GAAP, acquired goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to impairment testing at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset more likely than not may be impaired. U.S. GAAP guidance was issued that will allow the Company to qualitatively assess the likelihood that the carrying value of its reporting units is less than fair value in lieu of, or prior to, performance of step one of the impairment test process.
	Intangible assets
	Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized.  In addition, the Company must evaluate the remaining useful life in each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision of the remaining period of amortization.  If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining life is changed, the remaining carrying value of such asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for equity awards over the vesting period based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant.  The computed fair value of these awards is recognized as a non-cash cost over the period the employee provides services, which is typically the vesting period of the award.   The fair value of options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The fair value of restricted stock grants is equivalent to the fair value of the stock issued on the date of grant.
	Compensation expense is recognized only for share-based payments expected to vest. The Company estimates forfeitures at the date of grant based on historical experience and future expectations.
	Income Taxes
	The Company determines its consolidated income tax provision using the asset and liability method prescribed by US GAAP, which requires the recognition of income tax expense for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period and for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. The Company must make significant assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine its current provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance to be recorded against any deferred tax asset. The current provision for income tax is based upon the current tax laws and the Company’s interpretation of these laws, as well as the probable outcomes of any tax audits. The value of any net deferred tax asset depends upon estimates of the amount and category of future taxable income reduced by the amount of any tax benefits that the Company does not expect to realize. Actual operating results and the underlying amount and category of income in future years could render current assumptions, judgments and estimates of recoverable net deferred taxes inaccurate, thus impacting the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company computes deferred income taxes using the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under the liability method, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-10 which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on its consolidated tax return.    The Company evaluates and records any uncertain tax positions based on the amount that management deems is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination and ultimate settlement with the tax authorities in the tax jurisdictions in which it operates.
	Insurance Coverage
	The Company maintains insurance coverage for its business and operations.  Insurance related to property, equipment, automobile, general liability, and a portion of workers' compensation is provided through traditional policies, subject to a deductible or deductibles.  A portion of the Company's workers’ compensation exposure is covered through a mutual association, which is subject to supplemental calls.
The Company maintains two levels of excess loss insurance coverage, totaling $100 million in excess of primary coverage. The Company’s excess loss coverage responds to most of its liability policies when a primary limit of $1 million has been exhausted; provided that the primary limit for Maritime Employer’s Liability is $10 million and the Watercraft Pollution Policy primary limit is $5 million.
Separately, the Company’s employee health care is provided through a trust, administered by a third party.  The Company funds the trust based on current claims.  The administrator has purchased appropriate stop-loss coverage.  Losses on these policies up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon known claims incurred and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.  The accruals are derived from known facts, historical trends and industry averages to determine the best estimate of the ultimate expected loss.   Actual claims may vary from estimates.  The Company includes any adjustments to such reserves in its consolidated results of operations in the period in which they become known.
The accrued liability for self-insured claims includes incurred but not reported losses of $3.7 million and $3.8 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the FASB issued amendments to guidance for obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements. The amended guidance requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the sum of (1) the amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and (2) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for obligations within the scope of guidance that exist at the beginning of an entity's fiscal year of adoption. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 (early adoption is permitted). The implementation of the amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In March 2013, the FASB issued amendments to address the accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013 (early adoption is permitted). The initial adoption had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations.
Internal Revenue Service procedures governing tangible property regulations are expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company is evaluating the impact of these regulations concerning amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property and recovery of basis upon disposition. Additionally, the Company is determining if any change in accounting method will be required and if these procedures will result in an impact to its financial statements. At this time, these revenue procedures are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
During the periods presented in these financial statements, the Company implemented other new accounting pronouncements other than those noted above that are discussed in the notes where applicable.

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Ente

Concentration of Risk and Enterprise Wide Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Risk and Enterprise Wide Disclosures	'
	Concentration of Risk and Enterprise Wide Disclosures
	Accounts receivable include amounts billed to governmental agencies and private customers and do not bear interest. Balances billed to customers but not paid pursuant to retainage provisions generally become payable upon contract completion and acceptance by the owner. The table below presents the concentrations of receivables (trade and retainage) at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively:
		September 30, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Federal Government	$	4,294	8	%		$	7,375		14	%
	State Governments	4,759		9	%		1,761			3	%
	Local Governments	8,442		16	%		5,532			10	%
	Private Companies	35,897		67	%		38,617			73	%
	Total receivables	$	53,392	100	%		$	53,285		100	%
	At September 30, 2013, no single customer represented more than 10% of total receivables. At December 31, 2012, two private sector customers accounted for 11.7% and 9.9% of total receivables, respectively.
	Additionally, the table below represents concentrations of revenue by type of customer for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 2012.
		Three months ended September 30,												Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			%			2012				%		2013		%		2012		%
	Federal	$	14,193		16	%		$	17,408			23	%	$	50,685	20	%	$	42,336	22	%
	State	9,339			10	%		11,623				15	%	21,355		9	%	28,637		15	%
	Local	12,359			14	%		7,463				10	%	38,545		16	%	32,057		16	%
	Private	53,101			60	%		38,892				52	%	137,546		55	%	90,378		47	%
		$	88,992		100	%		$	75,386			100	%	$	248,131	100	%	$	193,408	100	%
	In the three months ended September 30, 2013, a private customer generated 11.9% of revenues and the US Army Corps of Engineers ("USCOE") generated 9.3% of total revenues. In the three months ended September 30, 2012, a private sector customer generated 11.5% of revenues while the USCOE generated 19.5% of total revenues. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the USCOE generated 13.7% and 16.8% of total revenues, respectively. Also in the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, a private sector customer generated 12.6% of total revenues.
	The Company does not believe that the loss of any one of these customers, other than the USCOE, would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Contracts_in_Progress

Contracts in Progress	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Contractors [Abstract]	'
Contracts in Progress	'
	Contracts in Progress
	Contracts in progress are as follows at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	377,370		$	343,524
	Estimated earnings	73,858			64,358
		451,228			407,882
	Less: Billings to date	(440,725		)	(405,006		)
		$	10,503		$	2,876
	Included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet under the following captions:
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	25,146			$	19,245
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	(14,643		)	(16,369		)
		$	10,503		$	2,876
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on completed contracts, net of billings totaled $0.3 million at September 30, 2013.
	Contract costs include all direct costs, such as materials and labor, and those indirect costs related to contract performance such as payroll taxes and insurance. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such estimated losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. An amount equal to contract costs attributable to claims is included in revenues when realization is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	The following is a summary of property and equipment at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Automobiles and trucks	$	2,180		$	1,591
	Building and improvements	22,828			22,037
	Construction equipment	142,131			140,835
	Dredges and dredging equipment	100,142			96,927
	Office equipment	4,479			4,095
		271,760			265,485
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(151,928		)	(136,556		)
	Net book value of depreciable assets	119,832			128,929
	Construction in progress	11,938			6,949
	Land	14,793			14,793
		$	146,563		$	150,671
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013, and 2012 , depreciation expense was $5.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively, and for the nine month period, depreciation expense was $15.8 million and $16.0 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Substantially all depreciation expense is included in the cost of contract revenue in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The assets of the Company are pledged as collateral under the Company's Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 10).
	In the third quarter 2013, part of the assets held for sale were sold to third party vendors, generating proceeds of approximately $81,000, and the Company elected to reduce the value of certain assets by approximately $15,000 to their current estimated market value. The Company continues to actively market the assets remaining as held for sale.
	The Company’s long-lived assets are substantially located in the United States.

Inventory

Inventory	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory	'
	Inventory
	Inventory at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, of $5.5 million and $4.4 million respectively, consists of spare parts and small equipment held for use in the ordinary course of business.
	Non-current inventory at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 totaled $0.9 million in each period and consisted primarily of spare engines components kept on hand for the Company's dredging assets.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value	'
	Fair Value
	The fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties.  Due to their short term nature, the Company believes that the carrying value of its accounts receivables, other current assets, accounts payables and other current liabilities approximate their fair values. The Company has a note receivable in the amount of $46,000, for which it believes that the carrying value approximates its fair value, and which bears interest at 10%. In addition, the Company has a long-term receivable in the amount of $1.4 million, which it believes that the carrying value of this receivable approximates its fair value.
	The fair value of the Company’s reporting units (as needed for purposes of determining indications of impairment to the carrying value of goodwill) is determined using a weighted average of valuations based on market multiples, discounted cash flows, and consideration of our market capitalization.  In 2012, the Company acquired the assets of West Construction, which included an earnout provision, based on achievement of certain targets, which was measured at its fair value at acquisition and re-assessed on a quarterly basis. In the second quarter of 2013, the Company determined that the earnout would not be payable at the measurement date, and reduced its liability of $271,000 to zero, which is included as a component of other income in the Company's statement of operations for the nine month period.
	The fair value of the Company's debt at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 approximated its carrying value of $9.3 million and $12.6 million, respectively, as interest is based on current market interest rates for debt with similar risk and maturity. If the Company's debt was measured at fair value, it would have been classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The table below summarizes changes in goodwill recorded by the Company during the periods ended September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	34,817		$	32,168
	Additions	—			2,649
	Ending balance	$	34,817		$	34,817
	No indicators of goodwill impairment were identified during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Intangible assets
	The tables below present the activity and amortizations of finite-lived intangible assets:
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Intangible assets, January 1	$	7,602		$	6,900
	Additions	—			—
	Total intangible assets, end of period	7,602			6,900
	Accumulated amortization	$	(6,975	)	$	(6,900	)
	Current year amortization	(362		)
	Total accumulated amortization	(7,337		)	(6,900		)
	Net intangible assets, end of period	$	265		$	—
	Intangible assets that were acquired in 2012 as part of the purchase of West Construction amortize over a period of one to three years, as follows:
		2013			2014			2015
	Amortization	$	59		$	111		$	97

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		31-Dec-12
	Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	$	3,617	$	3,552
	Accrual for self-insurance liabilities	3,662		3,806
	Property taxes	2,101		2,458
	Other accrued expenses	1,580		2,640
		$	10,960	$	12,456

Longterm_Debt_and_Line_of_Cred

Long-term Debt and Line of Credit	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-term Debt and Line of Credit	'
	Long-term Debt and Line of Credit
	The Company has a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
	The Credit Agreement, as amended from time to time, provides for borrowings under a revolving line of credit and swingline loans, an accordian, and a term loan (together, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility is guaranteed by the subsidiaries of the Company, secured by the assets of the Company, including stock held in its subsidiaries, and may be used to finance working capital, repay indebtedness, fund acquisitions, and for other general corporate purposes. Interest is computed based on the designation of the loans, and bear interest at either a prime-based interest rate or a LIBOR-based interest rate.  Principal balances drawn under the Credit Facility may be prepaid at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.  Amounts repaid under the revolving line of credit may be re-borrowed. In April 2013, the the maturity of its Credit Facility was extended from June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2014.
	Provisions of the revolving line of credit and accordian
	The Company has a maximum borrowing availability under the revolving line of credit and swingline loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of $35 million, with a $20 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit. An additional $25 million is available subject to the Lender's discretion.
	Revolving loans may be designated as prime rate based loans (“ABR Loans”) or Eurodollar Loans, at the Company’s request, and may be made in an integral multiple of $500,000, in the case of an ABR Loan, or $1 million in the case of a Eurodollar Loan.   Swingline loans may only be designated as ABR Loans, and may be made in amounts equal to integral multiples of $100,000.  The Company may convert, change or modify such designations from time to time.
	Borrowings are subject to a borrowing base, which is calculated as the sum of 80% of eligible accounts receivable, plus 90% of adjusted cash balances, as defined in the Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2013, our borrowing base reflected no limitation in borrowing availability.
	At September 30, 2013, no amounts were outstanding under the revolver. Outstanding letters of credit, which totaled $742,000 at September 30, 2013, reduced our maximum borrowing availability to approximately $34.3 million.
	Provisions of the term loan
	At September 30, 2013, the term loan component of the Credit Facility totaled $9.3 million and is secured by specific dredge assets of the Company. Principal payments on the term loan, in the amount of $389,000, are due quarterly.
	Financial covenants
	Restrictive financial covenants under the Credit Facility include:
	•	A Tangible Net Worth covenant, with the minimum Tangible Net Worth requirement of a base amount of $180 million as of June 30, 2012, plus 50% of accumulated consolidated quarterly net income (if positive), plus 75% of all issuances of equity interests by Borrower during that quarter;
	•	A Profitability Covenant such that the Company shall not sustain a consolidated net loss for two consecutive fiscal quarters, commencing with the quarter ending September 30, 2012.
	In addition, the Credit Facility contains events of default that are usual and customary for similar transactions, including non-payment of principal, interest or fees; inaccuracy of representations and warranties; violation of covenants; bankruptcy and insolvency events; and events constituting a change of control.
	The Company is subject to a commitment fee, at a current rate of 0.25% of the unused portion of the maximum available to borrow under the Credit Facility. The commitment fee is payable quarterly in arrears.
	Interest at September 30, 2013, was based on the Eurodollar-option interest rate of 2.19%. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the weighted average interest rate was 2.40%.
	At September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with its financial covenants and expects to be in compliance in 2013.
	The Company expects to meet its future internal liquidity and working capital needs, and maintain its equipment fleet through capital expenditure purchases and major repairs, from funds generated by ts operating activities for at least the next 12 months.  The Company believes that its cash position is adequate for general business requirements and to service its debt.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company's effective tax rate is based on expected income, statutory rates and tax planning opportunities available to it. For interim financial reporting, the Company estimates its annual tax rate based on projected taxable income (or loss) for the full year and records a quarterly tax provision in accordance with the anticipated annual rate. The effective rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was 53.8% and 34% in each period, respectively. This differed from the Company's statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes and the non-deductibility of certain permanent items, such as incentive stock compensation expense. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a benefit of approximately $0.8 million related to the reconciliation of its 2012 provision to the tax return, which affected the 2013 tax rate. This benefit was offset by other reconciliations affecting timing differences, such that, overall, the Company's federal net loss carryforward remained essentially unchanged.
		Current			Deferred			Total
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	U.S. Federal	$	340		$	(1,465	)	$	(1,125	)
	State and local	52			(427		)	(375		)
		$	392		$	(1,892	)	$	(1,500	)
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	U.S. Federal	$	463		$	(1,337	)	$	(874	)
	State and local	(61		)	50			(11		)
		$	402		$	(1,287	)	$	(885	)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	U.S. Federal	340			(2,079		)	$	(1,739	)
	State and local	$	138		(560		)	(422		)
		$	478		$	(2,639	)	$	(2,161	)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	U.S. Federal	$	(2,721	)	(3,788		)	$	(6,509	)
	State and local	(68		)	(364		)	(432		)
		$	(2,789	)	$	(4,152	)	$	(6,941	)
	In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets at September 30, 2013, the Company considered whether it was more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the generation of future taxable income, which includes the reversal of deferred tax liabilities related to depreciation, during the periods in which these temporary differences become deductible. As of September 30, 2013, the Company believes that all of the deferred tax assets will be utilized and therefore has not recorded a valuation allowance.
	The Company has a net operating loss carryforward ("NOL") of approximately $2.4 million for state income tax reporting purposes due to the losses sustained in various states in 2011 and 2012. The Company believes it will be able to utilize these NOL's against future income, due to expiration dates well into the future, and therefore no valuation allowance has been established. For federal tax reporting purposes, the Company carried all of its 2011 NOL back to 2009 and 2010 and received approximately $13.1 million in cash against these tax years in 2012. Part of the loss generated in 2012 was carried back to 2010, and the Company's income tax receivable reflects this estimate. Approximately $4.8 million remains as a tax carryforward, which the Company believes it will be able to utilize before expiration.
	The Company does not believe that its tax positions will significantly change due to any settlement and/or expiration of statutes of limitations prior to September 30, 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings (Loss) Per Share
	Basic earnings (loss) per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents during each period. The exercise price for certain stock options awarded by the Company exceeds the average market price of the Company's common stock. Such stock options are antidilutive and are not included in the computation of earnings (loss) per share. During the periods presented, no potential common stock equivalents were included as the effect of such would be anti-dilutive.
	The following table reconciles the denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted loss per share:
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Basic:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
	Diluted:
	Total basic weighted average shares outstanding	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options	—	—	—	—
	Total weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
	Anti-dilutive stock options	2,092,881	2,334,053	2,092,881	2,334,053
	Shares of common stock issued from the exercise of stock options	38,507	33,513	135,607	35,739

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company's stock incentive plan, known as the 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, or the "2011 LTIP", was approved by shareholders in May 2011 and is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The 2011 LTIP authorized 3,000,000 shares to be issued under this plan. In general, the 2011 LTIP provides for grants of restricted stock and stock options to be issued with a per-share price equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant.  Option terms are specified at each grant date, but are generally are 10 years from the date of issuance.  Options generally vest over a three to five year period.
	In the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , compensation expense related to stock based awards outstanding was $501,000 and $846,000, respectively, and for the nine month period, compensation expense was $1.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively.
	In August 2013, the Company granted options to purchase 15,081 shares of common stock, with a fair value of $4.31 per share.
	In the three months ended September 30, 2013, 38,507 options were exercised, generating proceeds to the Company of approximately $231,000, and for the nine month period, 135,607 options were exercised, generating proceeds of $737,000. In the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company received proceeds of approximately $162,200 upon the exercise of 33,513 options, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company received approximately $175,200 upon the exercise of 35,739 options.
	At September 30, 2013, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock and options was approximately $3.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over a period of 2.9 years.

Subsidiaries_with_Noncontrolli

Subsidiaries with Noncontrolling Interest (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Subsidiaries with Noncontrolling Owners' Interest	'
	Subsidiaries with Noncontrolling Owners' Interest
	The Company acquired a two-thirds ownership interest in a foreign entity ("OMG-ME") as part of its acquisition of the assets of West Construction, Inc. in October 2012. The Company fully consolidates OMG-ME in its financial statements and records the remaining one-third ownership in its results of operations as "Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest".

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business.  These actions typically seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damage, punitive damages, civil penalties or other losses, or injunctive or declaratory relief.  With respect to such lawsuits, the Company accrues reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company does not believe any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Reclassifications	'
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Interim results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company records revenue for financial statement purposes on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of contract costs incurred to date to total estimated costs for each contract. This method is used because management considers contract costs incurred to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts. Contract revenue reflects the original contract price adjusted for agreed upon change orders. Contract costs include all direct costs, such as material and labor, and those indirect costs related to contract performance such as payroll taxes and insurance. General and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Claims for payment that have not been approved by the customer are not recognized as an increase in contract revenue until and unless collection is deemed probable and if the amount can be reasonably estimated. Until approved by the customer, claims are not included as part of the computation of revenue. Incentive fees, if available, are billed to the customer based on the terms and conditions of the contract.  The Company records revenue and the unbilled receivable for claims to the extent of costs incurred and to the extent we believe related collection is probable and includes no profit on claims recorded. Changes in the scope of work, job performance, and job conditions, including those arising from final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and revenues and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined, without regard to the percentage of completion. Revenue is recorded net of any sales taxes collected and paid on behalf of the customer, if applicable.
	The current asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed, which management believes will be billed and collected within one year of the completion of the contract. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.
Classification of Current Assets and Liabilities	'
	Classification of Current Assets and Liabilities
	The Company includes in current assets and liabilities amounts realizable and payable in the normal course of contract completion.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  At times, cash held by financial institutions may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not historically sustained losses on our cash balances in excess of federally insured limits.  Cash equivalents at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted primarily of money market mutual funds and overnight bank deposits.
Foreign Currencies	'
	Foreign Currencies
	Historically, the Company’s exposure to foreign currency fluctuations has not been material and has been limited to temporary field accounts, located in countries where the Company performs work, which amounts were insignificant in either 2013 or 2012.
Risk Concentrations	'
	Risk Concentrations
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
	The Company depends on its ability to continue to obtain federal, state and local governmental contracts, and indirectly, on the amount of funding available to these agencies for new and current governmental projects. Therefore, a substantial portion of the Company’s operations may be dependent upon the level and timing of government funding.  Statutory mechanics liens provide the Company high priority in the event of lien foreclosures following financial difficulties of private owners, thus minimizing credit risk with private customers.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying value, less write-offs and allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company has significant investments in billed and unbilled receivables as of September 30, 2013. Billed receivables represent amounts billed upon the completion of small contracts and progress billings on large contracts in accordance with contract terms and milestones. Unbilled receivables on fixed-price contracts, which are included in costs in excess of billings, arise as revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method. Unbilled amounts on cost-reimbursement contracts represent recoverable costs and accrued profits not yet billed. Revenue associated with these billings is recorded net of any sales tax, if applicable. Past due balances over 90 days and other higher risk amounts are reviewed individually for collectability.  In establishing an allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company evaluates its contract receivables and costs in excess of billings and thoroughly reviews historical collection experience, the financial condition of its customers, billing disputes and other factors. The Company writes off uncollectible accounts receivable against the allowance for doubtful accounts if it is determined that the amounts will not be collected or if a settlement is reached for an amount that is less than the carrying value. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had not recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts.
	Balances billed to customers but not paid pursuant to retainage provisions in construction contracts generally become payable upon contract completion and acceptance of the work by the owner.  Retention at September 30, 2013 totaled $9.2 million, of which $1.8 million is expected to be collected beyond 2014.  Retention at December 31, 2012 totaled $8.2 million.
	At September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $1.4 million in long-term receivables. These relate to items that are due the Company for work performed under contract, but are not expected to be collected within one year. Management does not consider these receivables as distressed and currently expects to prevail in its collection litigation efforts. Management continues to evaluate and assess these items for collectibility and therefore, no allowance has been recorded.
	The Company negotiates change orders and claims with its customers. Unsuccessful negotiations of claims could result in a change to contract revenue that is less than its carrying value, which could result in the recording of a loss. Successful claims negotiations could result in the recovery of previously recorded losses. Significant losses on receivables could adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations and overall liquidity.
Advertising Costs	'
	Advertising Costs
	The Company primarily obtains contracts through the open bid process, and therefore advertising costs are not a significant component of expense.  Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Environmental Costs	'
	Environmental Costs
	Costs related to environmental remediation are charged to expense.  Other environmental costs are also charged to expense unless they increase the value of the property and/or provide future economic benefits, in which event the costs are capitalized.  Liabilities, if any, are recognized when the expenditure is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	We evaluate and present certain amounts included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at “fair value” in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to base our estimates on assumptions market participants, in an orderly transaction, would use to price an asset or liability, and to establish a hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to determine fair value.  In measuring fair value, we use the following inputs in the order of priority indicated:
	Level I – Quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
	Level II – Observable inputs other than Level I prices, such as (i) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; (ii) quoted prices in markets that have insufficient volume or infrequent transactions; and (iii) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level III – Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the fair value measurement.
	We generally apply fair value valuation techniques on a non-recurring basis associated with (1) valuing assets and liabilities acquired in connection with business combinations and other transactions; (2) valuing potential impairment loss related to long-lived assets; and (3) valuing potential impairment loss related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Inventory	'
	Inventory
	Inventory consists of parts and small equipment held for use in the ordinary course of business and is valued at the lower of cost (using historical average cost) or market. Where shipping and handling costs are incurred by us, these charges are included in inventory and charged to cost of contract revenue upon use.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Ordinary maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the useful life of the asset are expensed as incurred.  Major renewals and betterments of equipment are capitalized and depreciated generally over three to seven years until the next scheduled maintenance.
	When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations for the respective period.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial statement purposes, as follows:
	Automobiles and trucks	3 to 5 years
	Buildings and improvements	5 to 30 years
	Construction equipment	3 to 15 years
	Vessels and dredges	1 to 15 years
	Office equipment	1 to 5 years
	The Company generally uses accelerated depreciation methods for tax purposes where appropriate.
	Dry-docking costs are capitalized and amortized on the straight-line method over a period ranging from three to 15 years until the next scheduled dry-docking.  Dry-docking activities include, but are not limited to, the inspection, refurbishment and replacement of steel, engine components, tailshafts, mooring equipment and other parts of the vessel.  Amortization related to dry-docking activities is included as a component of depreciation.  These activities and the related amortization periods are periodically reviewed to determine if the estimates are accurate.  If warranted, a significant upgrade of equipment may result in a revision to the useful life of the asset, in which case, the change is accounted for prospectively.
	Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheets and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value, less the costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. In late 2012, several assets were identified and recorded as held for sale, with an expected disposition date within one year.
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The Company has acquired businesses and assets in purchase transactions that resulted in the recognition of goodwill.  Goodwill represents the costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets in the acquisition.  In accordance with U.S. GAAP, acquired goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to impairment testing at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset more likely than not may be impaired. U.S. GAAP guidance was issued that will allow the Company to qualitatively assess the likelihood that the carrying value of its reporting units is less than fair value in lieu of, or prior to, performance of step one of the impairment test process.
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets
	Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized.  In addition, the Company must evaluate the remaining useful life in each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision of the remaining period of amortization.  If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining life is changed, the remaining carrying value of such asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for equity awards over the vesting period based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant.  The computed fair value of these awards is recognized as a non-cash cost over the period the employee provides services, which is typically the vesting period of the award.   The fair value of options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The fair value of restricted stock grants is equivalent to the fair value of the stock issued on the date of grant.
	Compensation expense is recognized only for share-based payments expected to vest. The Company estimates forfeitures at the date of grant based on historical experience and future expectations.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company determines its consolidated income tax provision using the asset and liability method prescribed by US GAAP, which requires the recognition of income tax expense for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period and for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. The Company must make significant assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine its current provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance to be recorded against any deferred tax asset. The current provision for income tax is based upon the current tax laws and the Company’s interpretation of these laws, as well as the probable outcomes of any tax audits. The value of any net deferred tax asset depends upon estimates of the amount and category of future taxable income reduced by the amount of any tax benefits that the Company does not expect to realize. Actual operating results and the underlying amount and category of income in future years could render current assumptions, judgments and estimates of recoverable net deferred taxes inaccurate, thus impacting the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The Company computes deferred income taxes using the liability method. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under the liability method, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-10 which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on its consolidated tax return.    The Company evaluates and records any uncertain tax positions based on the amount that management deems is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination and ultimate settlement with the tax authorities in the tax jurisdictions in which it operates.
Insurance Coverage	'
	Insurance Coverage
	The Company maintains insurance coverage for its business and operations.  Insurance related to property, equipment, automobile, general liability, and a portion of workers' compensation is provided through traditional policies, subject to a deductible or deductibles.  A portion of the Company's workers’ compensation exposure is covered through a mutual association, which is subject to supplemental calls.
	The Company maintains two levels of excess loss insurance coverage, totaling $100 million in excess of primary coverage. The Company’s excess loss coverage responds to most of its liability policies when a primary limit of $1 million has been exhausted; provided that the primary limit for Maritime Employer’s Liability is $10 million and the Watercraft Pollution Policy primary limit is $5 million.
	Separately, the Company’s employee health care is provided through a trust, administered by a third party.  The Company funds the trust based on current claims.  The administrator has purchased appropriate stop-loss coverage.  Losses on these policies up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon known claims incurred and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.  The accruals are derived from known facts, historical trends and industry averages to determine the best estimate of the ultimate expected loss.   Actual claims may vary from estimates.  The Company includes any adjustments to such reserves in its consolidated results of operations in the period in which they become known.
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued amendments to guidance for obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements. The amended guidance requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the sum of (1) the amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and (2) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for obligations within the scope of guidance that exist at the beginning of an entity's fiscal year of adoption. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 (early adoption is permitted). The implementation of the amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued amendments to address the accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. The amendments are effective prospectively for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2013 (early adoption is permitted). The initial adoption had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations.
	Internal Revenue Service procedures governing tangible property regulations are expected to be issued in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company is evaluating the impact of these regulations concerning amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property and recovery of basis upon disposition. Additionally, the Company is determining if any change in accounting method will be required and if these procedures will result in an impact to its financial statements. At this time, these revenue procedures are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	During the periods presented in these financial statements, the Company implemented other new accounting pronouncements other than those noted above that are discussed in the notes where applicable.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Depreciable lives of property and equipment	'
	Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial statement purposes, as follows:
	Automobiles and trucks	3 to 5 years
	Buildings and improvements	5 to 30 years
	Construction equipment	3 to 15 years
	Vessels and dredges	1 to 15 years
	Office equipment	1 to 5 years
	The following is a summary of property and equipment at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Automobiles and trucks	$	2,180		$	1,591
	Building and improvements	22,828			22,037
	Construction equipment	142,131			140,835
	Dredges and dredging equipment	100,142			96,927
	Office equipment	4,479			4,095
		271,760			265,485
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(151,928		)	(136,556		)
	Net book value of depreciable assets	119,832			128,929
	Construction in progress	11,938			6,949
	Land	14,793			14,793
		$	146,563		$	150,671

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Ente1

Concentration of Risk and Enterprise Wide Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounts receivable	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
Schedules of concentration of risk, by risk factor	'
	The table below presents the concentrations of receivables (trade and retainage) at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively:
		September 30, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Federal Government	$	4,294	8	%		$	7,375		14	%
	State Governments	4,759		9	%		1,761			3	%
	Local Governments	8,442		16	%		5,532			10	%
	Private Companies	35,897		67	%		38,617			73	%
	Total receivables	$	53,392	100	%		$	53,285		100	%
Contract revenues	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'
Schedules of concentration of risk, by risk factor	'
	Additionally, the table below represents concentrations of revenue by type of customer for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 2012.
		Three months ended September 30,												Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			%			2012				%		2013		%		2012		%
	Federal	$	14,193		16	%		$	17,408			23	%	$	50,685	20	%	$	42,336	22	%
	State	9,339			10	%		11,623				15	%	21,355		9	%	28,637		15	%
	Local	12,359			14	%		7,463				10	%	38,545		16	%	32,057		16	%
	Private	53,101			60	%		38,892				52	%	137,546		55	%	90,378		47	%
		$	88,992		100	%		$	75,386			100	%	$	248,131	100	%	$	193,408	100	%

Contracts_in_Progress_Tables

Contracts in Progress (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Contractors [Abstract]	'
Contracts in progress	'
	Contracts in progress are as follows at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	377,370		$	343,524
	Estimated earnings	73,858			64,358
		451,228			407,882
	Less: Billings to date	(440,725		)	(405,006		)
		$	10,503		$	2,876
	Included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet under the following captions:
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	25,146			$	19,245
	Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	(14,643		)	(16,369		)
		$	10,503		$	2,876

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Summary of property and equipment	'
	Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial statement purposes, as follows:
	Automobiles and trucks	3 to 5 years
	Buildings and improvements	5 to 30 years
	Construction equipment	3 to 15 years
	Vessels and dredges	1 to 15 years
	Office equipment	1 to 5 years
	The following is a summary of property and equipment at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Automobiles and trucks	$	2,180		$	1,591
	Building and improvements	22,828			22,037
	Construction equipment	142,131			140,835
	Dredges and dredging equipment	100,142			96,927
	Office equipment	4,479			4,095
		271,760			265,485
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(151,928		)	(136,556		)
	Net book value of depreciable assets	119,832			128,929
	Construction in progress	11,938			6,949
	Land	14,793			14,793
		$	146,563		$	150,671

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables) (West Construction, Inc.)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
West Construction, Inc.	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Fair value measurement of fixed assets and goodwill on a non-recurring basis	'
	In 2012, the Company acquired the assets of West Construction, which included an earnout provision, based on achievement of certain targets, which was measured at its fair value at acquisition and re-assessed on a quarterly basis. In the second quarter of 2013, the Company determined that the earnout would not be payable at the measurement date, and reduced its liability of $271,000 to zero, which is included as a component of other income in the Company's statement of operations for the nine month period.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of changes in goodwill	'
	The table below summarizes changes in goodwill recorded by the Company during the periods ended September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	34,817		$	32,168
	Additions	—			2,649
	Ending balance	$	34,817		$	34,817
Schedule of changes and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets	'
	The tables below present the activity and amortizations of finite-lived intangible assets:
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012
	Intangible assets, January 1	$	7,602		$	6,900
	Additions	—			—
	Total intangible assets, end of period	7,602			6,900
	Accumulated amortization	$	(6,975	)	$	(6,900	)
	Current year amortization	(362		)
	Total accumulated amortization	(7,337		)	(6,900		)
	Net intangible assets, end of period	$	265		$	—
Schedule of future amortization expense of acquired finite-lived intangible assets	'
	Intangible assets that were acquired in 2012 as part of the purchase of West Construction amortize over a period of one to three years, as follows:
		2013			2014			2015
	Amortization	$	59		$	111		$	97

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accrued liabilities	'
	Accrued liabilities at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013		31-Dec-12
	Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	$	3,617	$	3,552
	Accrual for self-insurance liabilities	3,662		3,806
	Property taxes	2,101		2,458
	Other accrued expenses	1,580		2,640
		$	10,960	$	12,456

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of components of income tax expense (benefit)	'
		Current			Deferred			Total
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	U.S. Federal	$	340		$	(1,465	)	$	(1,125	)
	State and local	52			(427		)	(375		)
		$	392		$	(1,892	)	$	(1,500	)
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	U.S. Federal	$	463		$	(1,337	)	$	(874	)
	State and local	(61		)	50			(11		)
		$	402		$	(1,287	)	$	(885	)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	U.S. Federal	340			(2,079		)	$	(1,739	)
	State and local	$	138		(560		)	(422		)
		$	478		$	(2,639	)	$	(2,161	)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	U.S. Federal	$	(2,721	)	(3,788		)	$	(6,509	)
	State and local	(68		)	(364		)	(432		)
		$	(2,789	)	$	(4,152	)	$	(6,941	)

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of earnings per share, basic and diluted	'
	The following table reconciles the denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted loss per share:
		Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Basic:
	Weighted average shares outstanding	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
	Diluted:
	Total basic weighted average shares outstanding	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options	—	—	—	—
	Total weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
	Anti-dilutive stock options	2,092,881	2,334,053	2,092,881	2,334,053
	Shares of common stock issued from the exercise of stock options	38,507	33,513	135,607	35,739

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts Receivable [Abstract]	'	'
Contract receivable retention	$9,238,000	$8,213,000
Accounts receivable, retention to be collected after 2012	1,800,000	'
Accounts receivable, long-term	$1,410,000	$1,410,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Depreciable Lives of Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Equipment improvement | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'3 years
Equipment improvement | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'7 years
Automobiles and trucks | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'3 years
Automobiles and trucks | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'5 years
Building and improvements | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'5 years
Building and improvements | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'30 years
Construction equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'3 years
Construction equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'15 years
Dredges and dredging equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'1 year
Dredges and dredging equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'15 years
Office equipment | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'1 year
Office equipment | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'5 years
Dry-docking capitalized costs | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'3 years
Dry-docking capitalized costs | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment useful life	'15 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Insurance Coverage (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
	levels
Insurance Coverage [Line Items]	'	'
Levels of insurance coverage maintained by the Company	2	'
Amount in excess of primary insurance coverage	'	$100,000,000
Accrual for self-insurance liabilities	3,806,000	3,662,000
Other liability policies	'	'
Insurance Coverage [Line Items]	'	'
Primary limit of insurance coverage	'	1,000,000
Maritime employer's liability	'	'
Insurance Coverage [Line Items]	'	'
Primary limit of insurance coverage	'	10,000,000
Watercraft pollution policy	'	'
Insurance Coverage [Line Items]	'	'
Primary limit of insurance coverage	'	$5,000,000

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Ente2

Concentration of Risk and Enterprise Wide Disclosures (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Contract revenues

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Customer concentration risk

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Private Sector Customer

Private Sector Customer

Private Sector Customer

Private Sector Customer

Second Private Sector Customer

Federal Government

Federal Government

Federal Government

Federal Government

Federal Government

Federal Government

State Governments

State Governments

State Governments

State Governments

State Governments

State Governments

Local Governments

Local Governments

Local Governments

Local Governments

Local Governments

Local Governments

Private Companies

Private Companies

Private Companies

Private Companies

Private Companies

Private Companies

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Trade and contract retainage receivables

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Contract revenues

Concentration Risk [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trade and retainage receivables

'

'

'

'

'

$53,392

$53,285

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,294

$7,375

'

'

'

'

$4,759

$1,761

'

'

'

'

$8,442

$5,532

'

'

'

'

$35,897

$38,617

'

'

'

'

Concentration risk, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

9.30%

19.50%

13.70%

16.80%

11.90%

11.50%

12.60%

11.70%

9.90%

8.00%

14.00%

16.00%

23.00%

20.00%

22.00%

9.00%

3.00%

10.00%

15.00%

9.00%

15.00%

16.00%

10.00%

14.00%

10.00%

16.00%

16.00%

67.00%

73.00%

60.00%

52.00%

55.00%

47.00%

Contract revenues

$88,992

$75,386

$248,131

$193,408

$88,992

'

'

'

$75,386

$248,131

$193,408

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14,193

$17,408

$50,685

$42,336

'

'

$9,339

$11,623

$21,355

$28,637

'

'

$12,359

$7,463

$38,545

$32,057

'

'

$53,101

$38,892

$137,546

$90,378

Contracts_in_Progress_Details

Contracts in Progress (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Contractors [Abstract]	'	'
orn CostsincurredonCompleted contracts	$300,000	'
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	377,370,000	343,524,000
Estimated earnings	73,858,000	64,358,000
Costs incurred and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	451,228,000	407,882,000
Less: Billings to date	-440,725,000	-405,006,000
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net	10,503,000	2,876,000
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	25,146,000	19,245,000
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	($14,643,000)	($16,369,000)

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property and equipment, net	$146,563,000	'	$146,563,000	'	$150,671,000
Depreciation expense	5,300,000	5,300,000	15,800,000	16,000,000	'
Land	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	14,793,000	'	14,793,000	'	14,793,000
Depreciable Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	271,760,000	'	271,760,000	'	265,485,000
Less: accumulated depreciation	-151,928,000	'	-151,928,000	'	-136,556,000
Property and equipment, net	119,832,000	'	119,832,000	'	128,929,000
Automobiles and trucks	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,180,000	'	2,180,000	'	1,591,000
Building and improvements	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	22,828,000	'	22,828,000	'	22,037,000
Construction equipment	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	142,131,000	'	142,131,000	'	140,835,000
Dredges and dredging equipment	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	100,142,000	'	100,142,000	'	96,927,000
Office equipment	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	4,479,000	'	4,479,000	'	4,095,000
Construction in progress	'	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$11,938,000	'	$11,938,000	'	$6,949,000

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Inventory	$5,458	$4,354
Inventory, non-current	$915	$915

Fair_Value_Narrative_Details

Fair Value - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Carrying (reported) amount, fair value disclosure	Estimate of fair value, fair value disclosure	Estimate of fair value, fair value disclosure	West Construction, Inc.	West Construction, Inc.	Secured Debt
								Carrying (reported) amount, fair value disclosure
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Note receivable	'	$46,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Note receivable, interest rate	10.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable, long-term	1,410,000	1,410,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fair value of earnout	'	'	'	'	'	0	271,000	'
Fair value of debt	'	'	$12,600,000	$13,000,000	$0	'	'	$9,300,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill Roll Forward (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Beginning balance, January 1	$34,817	'	$32,168
Additions	0	2,649	'
Ending balance	$34,817	$34,817	$32,168

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Finite-lived Intangible Assets Roll Forward (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross [Roll Forward]	'	'
Intangible assets, January 1	$7,602	$6,900
Additions	0	0
Total intangible assets, end of period	7,602	6,900
Accumulated Amortization [Roll Forward]	'	'
Accumulated amortization	-6,975	-6,900
Current year amortization	-362	'
Total accumulated amortization	-7,337	-6,900
Net intangible assets, end of period	$265	$0

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Future Amortization Expense of Finite-lived Intangible Assets (Details) (West Construction, Inc., USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		Minimum	Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
2013	$59	'	'
2014	111	'	'
2015	$97	'	'
Acquired intangible assets useful life	'	'1 year	'3 years

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	$3,617	$3,552
Accrual for self-insurance liabilities	3,662	3,806
Property taxes	2,101	2,458
Other accrued expenses	1,580	2,640
Total accrued liabilities	$10,960	$12,456

Longterm_Debt_and_Line_of_Cred1

Long-term Debt and Line of Credit (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	'	$34,300,000
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis	'Eurodollar	'
Line of credit facility, interest rate during period	2.40%	'
LIBOR	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, interest rate at period end	'	2.19%
Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, additional borrowing capacity	'	25,000,000
Debt instrument, periodic payment, principal	389,000	'
Line of credit facility, minimum net worth	'	180,000,000
Line of credit facility, covenant terms, minimum net worth, incremental amount to base amount, % of current quarter consolidated net income	50.00%	'
Line of credit facility, covenant terms, minimum net worth, incremental amount to base amount, % of issuances of equity interests	75.00%	'
Line of credit facility, unused capacity commitment fee percentage	0.25%	'
Letter of credit | Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity	'	20,000,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount	'	742,000
Prime rate based Loans | Revolving Line of Credit [Member] | Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, integral multiple of borrowings	500,000	'
Prime rate based Loans | Swingline loan | Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, integral multiple of borrowings	100,000	'
Eurodollar Loans | Revolving Line of Credit [Member] | Secured Debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, integral multiple of borrowings	1,000,000	'
Eligible accounts receivable	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit, current borrowing capacity base components	80.00%	'
Adjusted cash balance	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit, current borrowing capacity base components	90.00%	'
Amended credit agreement	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	'	$35,000,000

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
			State	Internal Revenue Service (IRS)	Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	53.80%	34.00%	'	'	'
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforward	'	'	$2.40	'	$4.80
Cash benefits received from operating loss carrybacks	'	'	'	$13.10	'

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) by Jurisdiction and by Classification (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	'	'	53.80%	34.00%
U.S. Federal	'	'	'	'
Current	$340	$463	$340	($2,721)
Deferred	-1,465	-1,337	-2,079	-3,788
Total	-1,125	-874	-1,739	-6,509
State and local	'	'	'	'
Current	52	-61	138	-68
Deferred	-427	50	-560	-364
Total	-375	-11	-422	-432
Total Income Taxes	'	'	'	'
Current	392	402	478	-2,789
Deferred	-1,892	-1,287	-2,639	-4,152
Total	($1,500)	($885)	($2,161)	($6,941)

Earnings_Per_Share_Basic_and_D

Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Basic:	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Common stock options	0	0	0	0
Total weighted average shares outstanding assuming dilution	27,318,180	27,138,310	27,273,176	27,126,440
Shares of common stock issued from the exercise of stock options	38,507	33,513	135,607	35,739

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings Per Share - Antidilutive Securities (Details) (Stock options)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive stock options	2,092,881	2,334,053	2,092,881	2,334,053

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Approved and authorized maximum number of shares to be issued	3,000,000	'	3,000,000	'
Compensation expense related to stock based awards outstanding	$501,000	$846,000	$1,637,000	$2,372,000
Options granted during period	15,081	'	'	'
Fair value of options granted during period, per share	$4.31	'	'	'
Proceeds received upon exercise of stock options	231,000	162,200	737,000,000	175,200
Exercise of stock options, shares	38,507	33,513	135,607	35,739
Total unrecognized compensation expense	$3,700,000	'	$3,700,000	'
Share-based compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition	'	'	'2 years 10 months 24 days	'
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options, expiration period	'	'	'10 years	'
Minimum | Stock options	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options, vesting period	'	'	'3 years	'
Maximum | Stock options	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Options, vesting period	'	'	'5 years	'