Page 51: of Marine News Magazine (November 2023)

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? oating equipment, such as derricks, anchor barges, tugboats and pontoon tanks,” he explained. “The Multi Cats will improve our operating ef? ciencies by eliminating the need for multiple vessels to perform these tasks.”

Improved safety is another bene? t. “The Multi Cat brings step change safety improvements to Great Lakes’ dredge pipeline operations, which was a prime driver for the investment,” said

Chris Gunsten, Great Lakes’ senior vice president of project services and ? eet engineering. “Pipe handling and connection work can now take place securely on deck, which will greatly re- duce 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 signi? cantly reduce manual work and the risk of soft tissues injuries. These vessels sup- port our strong safety culture and gives us the ability to dredge with enhanced operating ef? ciencies needed to main- tain our shorelines and waterways.”

Damen vessels are often built to a stock design with options for modi? ca- tions or enhancements. Being the ? rst- of-their-kind U.S.-? ag Multi Cats,

Great Lakes’ new Damen workboats have been modi? ed to meet regula- tory requirements such as ABS Load

Line, U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter

M, Jones Act and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requirements, Johanson said. “Our internal team of mechani- cal engineers and naval architects col- laborated with Damen and Conrad

Shipyards to meet all regulatory re- quirements, and also to improve the workability and safety of the vessels.” www.marinelink.com MN 51|