Eastern Shipbuilding on September 15, 2014 held a steel-cutting ceremony at its Allanton facility in Panama City, Florida for a new Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge ATB ordered by Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC “(Great Lakes”), the shipbuilder said in a press release.
The steel cutting for the 433' Great Lakes' Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge Barge took place in indoor pre-fabrication building which supports both of Eastern’s new construction facilities with state of the art equipment and a highly skilled workforce.
• WHEELOBRATOR Automatic Shot-blasting and Painting Machine for steel plate and
shapes.
• MESSER MG CNC (NC) plasma cutting and burning machine with four (4) 10’x40’ dry
cutting tables.
• OGDEN Automated Welding Steel Panel Line is housed in a 560’ (170.68m) long x
127’ (38.71m) wide x 50’ (15.25m) high building.
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.”
Named the “Ellis Island” (ESG Hull 253), the detailed engineering is being performed by Bay Engineering, Inc., which is based upon an Ocean Tug & Barge Engineering, Inc. ATB design. The two state-of-the-art vessels will meet requirements of “Jones Act”.
This Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge, Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB), will be delivered in 2016.
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-effective 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 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’s original shipyard was established in 1976 for the purpose of constructing commercial fishing boats for the company’s founder and President, Brian R. D’Isernia. Since then Eastern has built over 325 vessels. Today, it is one of the most diverse vessel construction companies in the USA, specializing in building Offshore Supply Vessels, Tugs, Inland Pushboats, Ro-Ro/Passenger Ferries, Inland Transport Vessels, Barges, Fireboats, Research Vessels, Offshore Construction Vessels, High Speed Passenger Vessels, Fishing Vessels, and more.
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