Bristol Port takes delivery of a Damen Shoalbuster 2308S
The Bristol Port Company has taken delivery of a DAMEN Shoalbuster 2308S. Modified with several customised 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, the company said in its press release.
Construction of the new 23-metre long Shoalbuster took place at DAMEN Shipyards Hardinxveld, in the Netherlands. During the handover ceremony on 17 March, the vessel was officially named Graham Robertson.
The Bristol Port Company will mobilise 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,” says Bristol Port Company Deputy Haven Master Christopher Jones.
The vessel will also undertake buoy maintenance and installation and repair works, he continues: “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,” adds Mr Jones. “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 honour to work with the Bristol Port Company for the first time – delivering this compact, multifunctional vessel within a tight time frame,” states Arjen van Elk, DAMEN UK Sales Manager. “We look forward to seeing the Graham Robertson prove itself as a valuable asset in the Bristol Port Company’s ambitions for growth and development.”
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 33 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. DAMEN has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept DAMEN is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, DAMEN vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.
For nearly all vessel types DAMEN offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. DAMEN also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, DAMEN Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 16 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today’s requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.
