Eastern delivers ATB hopper dredge to Great Lakes

Ellis

The following is the text of a news release from Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.:

(OAK BROOK, Ill.) — Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. has taken delivery of the articulated tug-barge (ATB) hopper dredge Ellis Island and tug Douglas B. Mackie from Eastern Shipbuilding after successful completion of U.S. Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping regulatory sea trials.

“We are excited to take delivery of this advanced vessel which improves the competitiveness of our hopper group and represents a substantial reinvestment in our fleet," said David Simonelli, president, Great Lakes Dredging Division. "Ellis Island significantly increases the United States commercial Jones Act hopper fleet capacity as the largest hopper dredge in the United States market, with a carrying capacity of 15,000 cubic yards.”

“This addition to our fleet represents a great milestone in Great Lakes’ history," said Lasse Petterson, chief executive officer. "Ellis Island is capable of meeting the current and future U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’, state and U.S. ports’ deepening, coastal protection, coastal restoration and maintenance dredging infrastructure demands. Ellis Island’s haul capacity and dredging systems will yield more efficient and faster project execution."

Great Lakes will perform U.S. Coast Guard emergency crew drills Monday and expects to receive the certificates of inspection thereafter. Upon receipt of the COIs, Ellis Island and Douglas B. Mackie will depart Panama City, Fla., for the Mississippi Coastal Improvement Program project and commence operations on this important long-haul coastal restoration project.

By Professional Mariner Staff