Work in progress on the Army Corps dredge Currituck

Memphis District Corps of Engineers Commander Col. Zachary Miller recently toured work in progress on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Dredge Currituck.

The Currituck is at Memphis District’s world class Ensley Engineer Yard where it’s getting a $9.6 million makeover by a team of master craftsmen.

The repair project includes:

• replating the hull and repairing significant structural damage found when hull planting was removed;
• fabricating a new pilot house, deck house, fuel tanks, and two winch houses;
• completely rewiring the vessel;
• installing new fuel lines, dredge lines, hydraulic lines, potable water system, generators, motors, z-drive propulsion units, and marine sanitation device;
• replacing damaged structural members and bumper rails all the way around;
• realigning the entire vessel; and completely sandblasting and painting it.

The major overhaul underway is an 18-month long project that will return the Currituck to its vital mission of dredging the shallow-draft ocean bar channels along the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida.