VESSEL REVIEW | Vaneta Marie – Large suction dredger to maintain Louisiana's Calcasieu River
Orange, Texas-based marine projects company Muddy Water Dredging recently took delivery of a new bespoke maintenance and navigation support dredger built by DSC Dredge of Reserve, Louisiana.
Large platform with extensive coverage
Named Vaneta Marie, the dredger is what DSC Dredge claims as one of the largest cutter suction dredgers (CSDs) built in the United States with a length of 371 feet (113 metres). The vessel is capable of 24/7 operation and dredging a 400-foot (120-metre) wide cut with an 80-degree swing arc.
The latter attribute is important as it allows the dredger to fulfil its original design brief, which called for a vessel that will easily clear the Calcasieu River in southwestern Louisiana in a single pass. This capability means that boat traffic can pass through the river without having to shut down operations just to move the dredger.
The CSD, which will operate primarily in support of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is of a customisable design that features a detachable carriage barge, enabling adaptation to various working environments. The vessel utilises a design originally developed for deep mining and dredging of aggregate deposits. Deep digging capability is made possible by the use of an underwater pump system with a high-torque cutter drive assembly.
Power for the vessel is provided by Wabtec diesel generators that deliver a total of 7,174 kW. The generators are fitted with exhaust gas recirculation systems to ensure compliance with US EPA Tier IV emissions standards without the need for urea aftertreatment.
All dredging machinery is mounted on or above the main deck, eliminating the risk of flooding caused by dredge pump leaks or failures. Active monitoring of the hull tank voids ensures early detection of water intrusion, further enhancing safety and reliability.
Vaneta Marie is also fitted with DSC Dredge's proprietary survey grade and remote monitoring systems, thus permitting direct oversight of dredging operations even from shore. A dredge quality management system meanwhile facilitates automatic reporting to the USACE.
Secondary power generation capability
The CSD is equipped with powered lay-down spuds for quick bridge transits. It is possible to remove and replace the spuds for maintenance without additional support equipment, thus reducing both logistics requirements and servicing times.
The selection and the design of the dredge pump are based on the USACE’s Engineering and Design Manual standards, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. The pump has a processing rate of 2,000 cubic yards (1,500 cubic metres) per hour.
The dredger features a PLC operating system, a magnetic flow meter, electro-proportional hydraulic circuits, a high-capacity service water system, maximiser suction dilution valves, and a three-wire mooring system. These performance features offer deep water dredging capabilities combined with a wide array of suction and discharge sizes to maximise operating efficiencies depending on operator requirements.
Crew facilities include offices, a lounge that doubles as a meeting room, and toilets.
DSC Dredge also said Vaneta Marie has been uniquely designed to serve as a power station in the event of catastrophic events such as hurricanes. This allows the vessel to be deployed in disaster-hit areas and operate as a source of emergency electrical power pending the arrival of dedicated generators.
