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Following successful sea trials, Weeks Marine has taken delivery of its newest trailing suction hopper dredge (TSHD), the R.B. Weeks. The vessel is named in honor of Richard B. Weeks, a co-founder of Weeks Marine, and is the sister vessel of the Magdalen, named after Richard B. Weeks’ wife, Magdalen Weeks.
According to Weeks Marine President and CEO Eric Ellefsen, the delivery of R.B. Weeks is a significant milestone for the company and the largest capital investment in Weeks Marine’s history, which spans over a century.
“We look forward to putting the R.B. Weeks to work deepening and maintaining navigation channels, restoring storm-damaged coastal barrier islands and nourishing beaches lost to erosion, aiding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other key clients,” he said.
The vessel has an overall length of 364’-06” with a hopper capacity of 8,550 cubic yards, which is equivalent to more than 560 truckloads of material. The powerful and efficient GE 16V250 MDC IMOIII main engines meet EPA Tier 4 emission standards, underscoring our commitment to sustainability and protecting our planet across all areas of our business.
Like the Magdalen, the R.B. Weeks includes a top-tier dredging machinery package by Royal IHC which includes dynamic positioning and powerful dredge and jet pumps that will efficiently load and unload the vessel.
The vessel has accommodations for up to 26 highly-skilled professional mariners ranging from captains and chief engineers, to assistant engineers, mates and oilers, among others.
“The R.B. Weeks joins our extensive fleet of dredging equipment which includes 4 other TSHDs and 7 cutter suction dredges, and a vast array of support equipment,” said Chuck Broussard, Dredging Division Manager and Senior Vice President. “Weeks owns and operates best-in-class equipment operated by talented crews of dredging experts that provide our clients like the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and other government agencies with a cohesive dredging services lifecycle.”
Our key areas of focus in dredging include waterway infrastructure and coastal restoration, providing a cohesive dredging services lifecycle, specializing in both capital and maintenance dredging for deep or shallow draft navigation, as well as coastal restoration and protection.
Weeks has vast experience in the deepening and widening of existing waterways, as well as the removal of land to build new ship terminals, both crucial components to facilitate the movement of massive ships that support national and international trade. Our coastal restoration work supports hurricane and storm damage risk reduction through the creation of marshes and barrier islands and renourishes beaches lost to erosion.
Click here to learn more about our equipment and here to learn more about our Dredging Division. To learn more about a career working aboard one of our hopper dredges like the R.B. Weeks, click here.
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