Damen dredges to deeper depths

The fully dismountable DCSD500 has been designed in a catamaran format with the buoyancy provided by pontoons forming the outer limits of the vessel to the sides. The centrally mounted suction ladder is fitted with a submerged dredge pump which is directly driven by a diesel engine allowing for dredging at depths of around 25m.

The 110kW cutter unit is designed for breaking up compacted soil and the submerged dredge pump is capable of moving approximately 4,000m3/h of mixture. A 954kW CAT type 3512 C TA diesel engine is mounted on the suction ladder to drive the dredge pump directly.

The location of the diesel engine on the ladder is a straightforward choice as is the use of a standard spud anchoring system enabling the catamaran design to compete with much larger traditional pontoon-based alternatives.

The new Damen dredger is fully dismountable into container-sized elements allowing for transportation at low cost.