Great Lakes announces delivery of multi cats, Cape Hatteras, Cape Canaveral

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock announced the delivery of the Cape Hatteras and the Cape Canaveral, the two Damen 3013 Multi Cats built by Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, LA. Chris Gunsten, Great Lakes’ Senior Vice President of Project Services and Fleet Engineering, commented on the improvements the Cape Hatteras and Cape Canaveral will represent, “This is a milestone for our Company and the U.S. dredging industry. The Multi Cat brings step change safety improvements to Great Lakes’ dredge pipeline operations, which was a prime driver for the investment. Pipe handling and connection work can now take place securely on deck, which will greatly reduce the risk of man overboards. These vessels will also enhance and improve Great Lakes’ pipe and anchor operations. Further, the Multi Cats’ two crane and multiple winch and wire tugger arrangements will significantly reduce manual work and the risk of soft tissues injuries. These vessels support our strong safety culture and gives us the ability to dredge with enhanced operating efficiencies needed to maintain our shorelines and waterways.” The two identical vessels measure approximately 99 feet in length and are each powered by three EPA Tier III Caterpillar C32 TTA engines capable of meeting speeds of 10.2 knots and will have maximum bollard pull of approximately 32 short tons. The two vessels are the first Damen Multi Cats to be built in the U.S. and are fully compliant with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stability criteria.