Damen Names Second Shoalbuster 3009 for SMIT Amandla

The second of two Damen Shoalbuster 3009 multi-purpose workboats for SMIT Amandla Marine has been named in a ceremony at Damen Shipyards Cape Town, South Africa. With De Beers Group Services the end client, the Lady Sponsor for the occasion was Mrs Adri Nelson, Supply Chain Centre Manager for De Beers Group Services in Port Nolloth. Mrs Nelson has been integral to the newbuild programme in her role of managing the Northern Cape based supply chain centre for De Beers.

Named the Aogatoa, the vessel is the second of two Shoalbusters 3009 ordered by SMIT Amandla Marine for the De Beers contract and built at Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT). The first, the Aukwatowa, was delivered in December 2015.

Throughout both builds, DSCT has had the full cooperation of Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld, the yard behind the development of this class. The Dutch yard has transferred the necessary technology and provided full support to ensure a top quality end The Shoalbuster range of multi-purpose, shallow draught workboats is designed for all types of operations in inland and coastal waters.

The 30-metre 3009S has a bollard pull of 24.5 tonnes and is fitted with a crane with a lifting capacity of up to 1.7 tonnes, making it suitable for towage, buoy-laying, pushing and all-round support duties. These new vessels will carry out supply and support work for the De Beers Group’s offshore diamond mining activities out of Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. With the shallow waters of the port making it accessible only to vessels with draughts of 2.8 metres or less, the minimal draught of the Shoalbuster was an important factor in SMIT Amandla selecting the class.

During their time at the yard the construction of the two vessels made a significant contribution to the local economy with 180 employees employed locally working on the projects and with many of the materials also sourced locally. In addition, 13 apprentices both male and female also played an important part in the build, between them accumulating over 30,000 hours of on the job training as a result. This was delivered by DSCT’s acclaimed merSETA-accredited training school.

In expressing appreciation to the De Beers Group and Smit Amandla, Sam Montsi, Chairman of DSCT, said: “I am confident that the delivery of this, the second of the two shoalbusters, will conclusively demonstrate to the regional shipping industry that, given the opportunity, DSCT can build and deliver quality vessels at a fair price.”