Weeks Marine Inc. (WMI), Cranford, N.J., and Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc. (ESG), Panama City, Fla., signed a contract in March to complete the construction of the trailing suction hopper dredge Magdalen.
The 356’ dredge will be built at Eastern’s Allanton, Fla., facility. The design and detailed engineering and the dredging equipment are being provided by Dredge Technology Corporation (DTC), part of the IHC Merwede International Group. Initially, the vessel was to be built by BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard, Mobile, Ala., where the keel was laid in 2012. The new schedule calls for delivery in 2017.
Here are the Magdalen's specifications:
Dimensions (Overall): 356’x79’6”’x27’-3”
Horsepower: (2) 5,682 BHP
Main Engine: (2) GE 16V250
Main Shaft Generator: (2) 3,400 kW
Auxiliary Generator: (1) GE 6L250 (1,423 kW)
Emergency Generator: (1) Caterpillar C18 (600 kW)
Classification: Lloyd’s Register, 100A1 Hopper Dredger,
LMC, UMS
Flag & Regulatory: USA, USCG
Hopper Capacity: 8,550 yd³
LD Dredge Pump Power: (2) @ 1,600 kW
HD Dredge Pump Power: (1) @ 1,600 kW
Jet Pump Power: (2) @ 445 kW
Bowthruster: (1) 730kW VFD Fixed Pitch Tunnel Unit
Founded in 1919, WMI owns and operates a diversified fleet of dredging and support equipment capable of performing the most complex and demanding dredging projects. WMI is one of the largest marine and tunneling contractors in the U.S. and Canada.