Dutch dredging giant Van Oord has performed taken delivery of 'Oceanus', its new Multi Cat 3213 designed and built by Damen Shipyards.
Van Oord ordered the Multi Cats in November 2010 from Damen's Hardinxveld yard. Their main purpose will be assisting the 'Athena', Van Oord's new, self-propelled cutter dredger. This required Damen to design a new, larger Multi Cat in close co-operation with Van Oord.
'Oceanus' is the biggest Multi Cat ever built by Damen and the first of its type, at a length overall of 32.68 metres. She measures 12.5 metres across her beam, with a draught of 3.0 metres and a depth of 4.52 metres. Powered by a pair of Caterpillar C04.4 engines driving Promarin fixed-pitch propellers, the vessel has a maximum speed of 10.8 knots and a bollard pull of 30.2 knots.
As 'Athena' has heavy anchors, the 'Oceanus' is fitted with a 340 tonne fore crane and an 80 tonne aft crane. The fore crane is equipped with a constant tensioning winch. The workboat has an enlarged depth, allowing the working deck to be 1.10 metres above the waterline (normally 80-90 centimetres). In addition to anchor handling, the 3213 will deliver supplies, water and fuel oil.
For the 3213, Damen has designed an ergonomic wheelhouse that allows 360 degrees visibility, with all communication and navigation equipment within direct reach. Heated and air-conditioned living spaces for a crew of eight, with two double crew cabins, four single crew, a galley/mess and sanitary facilities.
A sister vessel 'Cronus' is to be delivered April, one month before the contractual delivery date. Damen's managing director at Hardinxveld, Jos van Woerkum, is very proud of the vessel and his team's achievements.
"As Damen designs for 'operability at sea', instead of 'trial conditions', we were pleased to see that 'Oceanus's capacity is above par," says van Woerkum. "The work boat made 10.8 knots during the trials against the 10.5 knots that is in the contract. Furthermore, we promised a bollard pull of 27 tonnes, but we delivered 30.2 tonnes bollard pull."
