US-built TSHD Magdalen Launched
Trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Magdalen was launched on March 31, 2017 at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s (ESG) Allanton facility in Panama City, Fla.
The 356’ twin screw dredger is being constructed for the U.S.’s second largest dredging contractor, Weeks Marine Inc. Having already been earmarked for a project at the end of this year, the TSHD is expected to have a significant impact when it enters the U.S. dredging market.
Magdalen has been specifically designed for beach nourishment and capital dredging works and is highly automated.
Dutch company IHC supplied the design and engineering of the 6,540m3 TSHD, as well as key components such as the principal electrical and dredging systems. The vessel is equipped with IHC’s dynamic positioning/ dynamic tracking system, and the economic pump control functionality.
The U.S. flagged Magdalen is named after Weeks founder, present and CEO Richard Weeks’ mother, Magdalen Noll Weeks, whose niece Helen McLaughlin christened the dredger.
M/V Magdalen
ESG Hull Designation: H256
Designer: Royal IHC
Dimensions (Overall): 356’-0” x 79’-6”’x 27’-3”
Propulsion Horsepower: (2) 5,682 BHP
Main Engines: (2) GE 16V250
Main Shaft Generators: (2) 3,400kW
Auxiliary Generator: (1) GE 6L250 (1,423kW)
Emergency Generator: (1) Caterpillar C18 (425kW)
Classification: Lloyd’s Register, +100A1 Hopper Dredger, +LMC, UMS
Flag & Regulatory: USA, USCG
Hopper Capacity: 8,550 yd³
Booster Pump Power: (2) @ 1,600kW
Dredge Pump Power: (1) @ 1,600kW
Jet Pump Power: (2) @ 445kW
Bow Thruster: (1) 730kW VFD Fixed Pitch Tunnel Unit