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Submitted Photo/Conrad Shipyard
On hand for the recent steel-cutting ceremony at Conrad Shipyard are, from left: Conrad Senior Vice President Dan Conrad, Great Lakes Director of Engineering New Builds Dan Gaiennie, Conrad Program Manager Brad Breaux, Great Lakes Engineering New Builds-Program Director Vidar Lindmoen, Great Lakes Senior Vice President Projects and Area Operation Gulf of Mexco David Johanson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Stephen F. Murphy, Conrad Chief Operating Officer Brett Wolbrink, Great Lakes Program Manager Francisco Bermudez and Mark Wingate, Corps of Engineers.

Conrad cuts steel for first U.S. multi-cats

Conrad Shipyard hosted a steel-cutting ceremony for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. at its shipyard in Morgan City.
The ceremony signifies the start of construction of two Damen-designed multi-cat vessels, the first multi-cats to bebuilt in the United States.
Deliveries are scheduled the third and fourth quarters of 2022.
The two identical vessels measure 98.92 feet in length and are powered by three Caterpillar C32 TTA engines capable of meeting speeds of 10.2 knots. Equipped with large winches and deck cranes, the vessels will have maximum bollard pull of 31.75 short tons.
David Johanson, Great Lakes’ senior vice president of project and area operations for the Gulf of Mexico, said the new vessels eliminate the need for assorted floating support equipment such as derrick barges, towboats and anchor barges. “The Multi-cats also significantly increase operational safety – enabling hose and pipe maintenance works to take place securely on deck, reducing the risk of man-overboards compared to standard industry methods utilizing floating pontoons. This will improve our operational efficiency,” he said.
Brett Wolbrink, Conrad executive vice president and chief operating officer, discussed the relationship between Conrad and Great Lakes:
“We are pleased to be constructing multiple vessels for GLDD and we value the continued confidence that GLDD has shown in Conrad and in our talented workforce —not only in newconstruction but also in repair. It is our pleasure to work with your team, and it is our honor tobuild these unique and versatile vessels for you,” he said.

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