Silver Ships, Inc. delivered three new survey vessels to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District in Georgia on June 10. Plans call for the vessels, from Silver Ships’ Freedom and Explorer series, to be dedicated and launched in a commissioning ceremony on June 12.
The new boats will support navigation efforts in Georgia waterways, surveying channel conditions, monitoring dredging activities, and detecting underwater obstacles in the waterways.
The vessels will transport staff and equipment to project sites, including Savannah Harbor, Brunswick Harbor, and the 161-mile stretch of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway along Georgia’s coast.
The survey vessels are named in honor of three U.S. Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives during their service – Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, Sgt. 1st Class John C. Beale, and Sgt. Tyrone Lanard Chisholm.
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, is pleased to receive these brand-new vessels that we will use to perform hydrographic surveys, strengthening our commitment to precision, safety, and stewardship of our nation's waterways,” said Col. Ron Sturgeon, USACE Savannah District commander. “We’re proud to name each vessel after a local member of our military who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. It’s an extraordinary honor to have their Gold Star families attend the commissioning ceremony."
The Wright will support critical missions, including surveys to assess channel conditions, monitoring dredging activities, and underwater obstacle detection. The Freedom 26 vessel is purpose-built to meet the demands of the district’s mission and is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment.
The Beale will be used to perform hydrographic surveys on waterways where a more compact draft vessel is required, including in-shore surveys before and after dredging, as well as tasks related to the district’s three dams and lake projects. The Freedom 20 vessel can mount newer technology for multi-beam and side scan sonar surveying, which was not possible on the district’s legacy vessel.
The Chisholm is an Explorer 24 vessel designed for surveying and other missions. The 27-foot boat includes an enclosed center console, a single 250 Yamaha Outboard and is a landing craft vessel, making it ideal for missions involving bridging land and water. All three vessels will be homeported along the Savannah River at the Coastal Projects Office (CPO), Savannah District, South Atlantic Division.
“Silver Ships, Inc. is proud to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District through the design and construction of three custom workboats tailored to enhance the district’s operational capabilities. The Corps carries out a broad range of critical responsibilities, and these vessels provide valuable support across their diverse mission set,” said Collin Carithers, project manager at Silver Ships.
“The construction of these boats — Wright, Beale, and Chisholm— was a true team effort, and we are extremely pleased with the final results. These vessels are built to serve reliably and effectively for years to come and are sure to become integral assets across the Savannah District, honoring the families of their distinguished namesakes.”
Editor’s note: The WorkBoat team visited Silver Ships in Theodore, Ala., in April to tour the aluminum boatyard and ride aboard three new vessels built for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. Thanks to Steven Clarke and the Silver Ships crew for their time, expertise and hospitality.
