New Damen Workboat for Bristol Port
Damen Shoalbuster 2308S (Photo: Damen)
Damen Shoalbuster 2308S (Photo: Damen)
The Bristol Port Company has taken delivery of a Damen Shoalbuster 2308S. Modified with several customized options, the vessel will be able to take on a multifunctional role that includes plough dredging, towing, pilotage and survey duties. This is the first contract between Damen and the Bristol Port Company.
Construction of the new 23-meter-long Shoalbuster took place at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld, in the Netherlands. During the handover ceremony on March 17, the vessel was officially named Graham Robertson.
The Bristol Port Company will mobilize the Graham Robertson in a variety of functions. To this end, the adaptable design of the Shoalbuster 2308S allowed the yard to install numerous extra equipment.
Addressing the primary role of plough dredging activities, the Graham Robertson has an aft-mounted A-frame. “Being able to plough dredge will also ensure the maximum available depth of water can be maintained within the dock,” said Bristol Port Company Deputy Haven Master Christopher Jones.
The vessel will also undertake buoy maintenance and installation and repair works, Jones continued, “For this her hydraulic deck crane will prove invaluable.”
To further enhance the versatile nature of the Graham Robertson, the contract also called for a dismountable pilotage platform to allow for occasional piloting tasks, firefighting equipment and a towing hook.
“A truly multipurpose port craft was a strict requirement when finalising the vessel’s specification,” Jones added. “Introducing such a multipurpose vessel will allow the port to greatly increase the level of work it can undertake in-house, leading to financial savings.”
Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld delivered the vessel just 15 weeks after contract signing. “It is an honor to work with the Bristol Port Company for the first time – delivering this compact, multifunctional vessel within a tight time frame,” said Arjen van Elk, Damen UK Sales Manager.
