OSD Finds Right Solution for Dredger Conversion
Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) has extensive experience in ship conversion. One of the latest conversion projects was a dredger conversion for Kendall Brothers. OSD was approached by Southampton Marine Services (SMS) on behalf of Kendall Brothers to help in their search for a vessel suitable for converting into an aggregate suction dredger.
The main challenge for OSD, which has broad knowledge of dredger design, was finding a vessel with scantlings substantial enough to avoid extensive replacement of main structure. After a review of several second-hand vessels, the Carissa, a Damen-built coaster, was chosen as most suitable, as its double-bottom structure did not have to be replaced for carrying cargoes with a specific gravity of 2.2.
The OSD-IMT design team in the UK introduced a long, narrow hold to minimise loads on the structure, and to provide wide side-decks that incorporated the dredging system on the starboard side and the discharge conveyors on the port side. A conventional grab discharger was mounted on a self-propelled carriage spanning the hold. All steelwork and outfit installation was carried out by SMS based on design information prepared by OSD. The cost-effective conversion is now fully operational and the vessel is landing aggregate cargoes at its home port of Portsmouth.