Great Lakes Multi Cat vessels win prestigious award

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation announced today that its newly launched Multi Cat dredge support vessels, Cape Hatteras and Cape Canaveral, have been awarded the prestigious 2024 Significant Boat of the Year title at the International WorkBoat Show.

This award underscores GLDD’s commitment to safety, innovation, and operational excellence in the dredging and maritime sectors.

The Cape Hatteras and Cape Canaveral, built by Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, are 99-foot Damen 3013 Multi Cat vessels equipped with cutting-edge technology and features that elevate both safety and efficiency in dredging operations.

Chris Gunsten, Senior Vice President of Project Services and Fleet Engineering at Great Lakes commented, “These vessels represent a milestone for our Company and the dredging industry. The Multi Cat design introduces critical safety enhancements by enabling pipe handling and connection work to take place securely on deck, significantly reducing the risk of man overboard incidents.”

The Cape Hatteras and Cape Canaveral vessels are not only the first Damen Multi Cats built in the U.S., but also represent a major step forward in supporting dredging operations with enhanced safety, reduced manual labor, and greater operational flexibility.

Their design eliminates the need for additional floating support vessels, contributing to improved operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The vessels’ cutting-edge equipment ensures safe and effective navigation and communication on complex dredging projects.