The Damen Field Service crew has just returned from commissioning the Barracuda cutter suction dredger in Algeria. The customised Damen Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 500 has been delivered with a complete dredging package including a booster station and dredge piping enabling immediate start up. The CSD500 will perform maintenance dredging in a reservoir, the Dutch shipbuilder said in its press release.
As reservoir dredging can be quite a challenge, the standard dismountable CSD500 has been customised. Its job is to clear a water reservoir in an inland location in Algeria. As it is relatively deep, the CSD500 has been fitted out with a longer cutter ladder for the important dredging depth of -18m working at 45°. Moreover the spuds – normally a distinct feature of any CSD– have been replaced by an X-mas tree. The X-mas tree is a multiple wire-based mooring system independent of the deep wateRS in which the dredger operates.
The cutter suction dredger is also fitted out with a number of standard options such as an accommodation unit, navigation lights, a deck crane and dredging instrumentation. Moreover, it is accompanied by all components for a turn-key dredging project. These components include a remote controlled booster station, type BS500, plus some 4 km of floating and land discharge piping – in total over 30 containeRS full of steel and flexible piping and floats.
The Algerian customer Hydrodragage has two other Damen dredgeRS performing similar tasks at other reservoiRS. Damen is proud to have delivered it's third dredger to Hydrodragage, which started its dredging job without delay upon arrival.
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 ship- and repair yards, employing 8,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and deliveRS approximately 180 vessels annually to customeRS worldwide. Damen specializes in the construction of a wide range of products, including: tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high-speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgeRS, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and super yachts. Besides, Damen offeRS a variety of marine components, especially nozzles, (flap-type) ruddeRS, steering gear, anchoRS, anchor chains and steel works. In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & ConveRSion offeRS a network of 16 repair and conveRSion yards worldwide, with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. ConveRSion projects range from adapting vessels to meet today&RSquo;s requirements and regulations to the complete conveRSion of large offshore structures. DS&C handles 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.