CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS
On TheWays
ON THE WAYS
The Multi Cat is designed to perform a wide range of tasks including handling submerged and floating pipelines as well as anchor handling and logistics supply.
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onrad Shipyard, Morgan City, La., held a steel cutting ceremony in July for two new Damen Multi Cat vessels for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. LLC (GLDD). Conrad recently signed a technical cooperation licensing agreement with the Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Group to build the new 99'×41'×12' boats to Damen’s Multi Cat 3013 design. The two vessels, which will have drafts of just over 8', will be the first Damen Multi Cats to be built in the U.S., fully compliant with Coast Guard and Corps of Engineers stability criteria. “This is a milestone moment for the US shipping industry and our company,” said Lasse Patterson, GLDD’s CEO. “The Multi Cats will give us the ability to dredge with enhanced operating efficiencies needed to maintain our shorelines and waterways.” With its large winches and deck cranes, the Multi Cat can perform a wide range of tasks including handling submerged and floating pipelines as well as anchor handling and logistics supply. Large tank capacities onboard will ensure that the Multi Cats can also supply dredgers with the required replenishments. The Multi Cat has optimum deck space in relation to its deck equipment. This means maximum efficient operation with minimal crew, Damen said. The wheelhouse has also 360˚ visibility which ensures the highest standards of safety on the deck. Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC) licensing agreements 26
were established in 1977 to enable local yards to build Damen designs. “These DTC licensing agreements are a means by which U.S.-based operators are able to access Damen’s proven vessel portfolio in a manner fully compliant with the Jones Act,” said Damen sales manager Daan Dijxhoorn. “License holders construct the vessel themselves in the country, drawing upon Damen’s experience in the engineering and production of the platform and on Damen’s support throughout the building process.” “Right now, GLDD is a very big part of Conrad and this is a very unique vessel,” Dan Conrad, the shipyard’s senior vice president said at the ceremony. GLDD had 12 hulls under construction at the shipyard in July. For these vessels, what’s on deck is the meat of the operation. The cats will feature two HS Marine AKC 410 HE 2 deck cranes — one on the bow and one aft of the pilothouse; Ridderinkhof hydraulically driven anchor winch; Kraaijeveld KA-30/2-H-TR anchor handling winch; Kraaijeveld KA-20/2-H-TR towing winch; and twin Brevini 8-ton tugger winches. There will also be two Mampaey 20-ton towing hooks aboard. Capacities will include 182 m3 of fuel oil, 80 m3 of fresh water, 4.5 m3 of hydraulic oil, and 2.8 m3 of lube oil. David Johanson, GLDD’s senior vice president, project and area operations, Gulf of Mexico, said that the Multi Cat eliminates the need for assorted floating support equipment such as derrick barges, towboats and anchor barges. It also www.workboat.com • SEPTEMBER 2021 • WorkBoat
Conrad Shipyard
Conrad Shipyard to build Great Lakes dredge vessels
