Steel Cutting for new Eastern Shipbuilding Dredger

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company and Eastern Shipbuilding Group, (ESG) cut steel starting the construction of a new Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge ATB last month. The cutting ceremony of the 433’ Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge took place in Eastern’s under roof pre-fabrication building at its Allanton facility in Panama City, Florida. This indoor facility supports both of Eastern’s new construction facilities with state of the art equipment and a highly skilled workforce.

Brian D’Isernia, President of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, stated, “Great Lakes earlier this year became our newest client. This day represents the start of construction for the Dredge Barge ATB and is- another step in continuing our strong commitment to not only this project and but also our long history of being a successful, diversified shipbuilder in the marine industry. Eastern will continue to grow its facilities along with its strong workforce of men and women who are always eager for the next new construction, conversion or repair challenge.”

Attending the ceremony from Great Lakes:
David Simonelli: President Dredging Operations
Steven Becker: Senior Vice President Chief Mechanical Engineer
Jeffery Distefano: Shipyard Contracts Manager
Ray Statton: Program Manager
Jimmy Carruthers: Dredge Barge Project Manager
Christian Colletti: Tug Project Manager

Named the Ellis Island (ESG Hull 253), the detailed engineering is being performed by Bay Engineering, which is based upon an Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering ATB design.

This Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge, Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB), will be delivered in 2016.

The Dredge Barge ATB features the following characteristics:

Ellis Island ATB Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge:
Dimensions (Overall): 433’x 92’x 36’
Hopper Capacity: 15,000 CYS
Dredge System Power: (2) EMD ME20G7C-T3, 5,000HP each
Bow Thrusters: (2) Schottel STT2 Electric, Fixed Pitch Tunnel Units 800HP each
Harbor Service Genset: (1) Caterpillar C32-T3 910kW @ 1800RPM
Classification: ABS ?A1, ?AMS, Unmanned Cargo Barge and certified under SOLAS/IMO/MARPOL.
Flag & Regulatory: USA, USCG, 33/46CFR NVIC Publications, Certificated “I” Unmanned.
Douglas B Mackie ATB Tug:
Dimensions (Overall): 158’-4”x 52’x 32’-9’
Horsepower: 15,662 BHP
ATB Coupler System: (2) Taisei Coupler Systems
Main Engines: (2) Mak 12M32C-T3, 7,831HP each
Main Generators: (2) 2,500kW, 6600VAC Shaft Generators
Auxiliary Generator: (1) Caterpillar C32-T3 730kW @ 1800RPM
Emergency Generator: (1) Caterpillar C18-T3 550kW @ 1800RPM
Classification: ABS ?A1, ?AMS, ACCU, Oceans Towing Vessel Unlimited Service additional notations ILO, and certified under SOLAS/IMO/MARPOL.
Flag & Regulatory: USA, USCG Dual-Mode ITB, 33/46CFR
Subchapters, E, F, G, I, J, M, Q and S

Eastern is proud to assist Great Lakes in delivering this investment in the maritime future of America, constructing these two state-of-the-art “Jones Act” vessels to meet the country’s growing needs.

The Great Lakes ATB hopper dredge will be a key tool in performing the restoration of the eroded land mass in the Gulf Coast States. Additionally, the vessel’s ability to cost-effectively deepen and maintain navigable waterways will bolster the United States’ competitive position in world trade, as the nation’s ports move forward with deepening plans to accommodate the larger vessels, which will sail through the expanded Panama Canal.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States and the only U.S. dredging company with significant international operations. Great Lakes Dredge also owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, comprised of over 200 specialized vessels.

Eastern Shipbuilding is very pleased to be a part of Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s history of innovation and low cost leadership in the U.S. dredging industry. With the ATB Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge and Tug in production, we look forward to celebrating its successful launches and subsequent delivery into dredging service.