Bowling Green, Florida, November 5, 2003: In August, Dredging Supply Company, Inc. delivered a new 32' twin screw diesel/hydraulic work boat to complement a long-time customer's fleet of three DSC dredges.
Bob Wetta, Dredging Supply Company's Chief Operations Officer/Sales, explained, "This customer had already purchased three dredges from Dredging Supply. They needed a boat to work on the floating pipeline and decided to contact us on this project. Their only request was that the lifting capacity be capable of hoisting the pipelines so they could work on the flanges." 
Wetta continued, "They have reported that the work boat DSC built is more than adequate. The boat allows them to make a change in half the time it used to take. Rather than eight hours, they can accomplish the same work in only four hours. The lifting capacity is greater than they requested. The A-frame hoist has an 8,000 pound capacity. Their operators and maintenance department enjoys the boat which turns on a dime and runs pretty fast. Plus, this DSC work boat has plenty of power. The customer was concerned with getting stuck in the clay and this boat moves!"
The DSC Dredge Tender work boat is equipped with a bow mounted A-frame hoist capable of lifting an 8,000 pound load through a hydraulic drive planetary winch. The propulsion package is DSC's highly efficient hydraulic thruster drive, powered by a Caterpillar Model 3126 diesel engine. The hydraulic propulsion unit offers a twin screw drive that allows the boat to achieve nearly 360º turns within its own length. The custom DSC Tender work boat offers the propulsion drive so the boat can be turned from side to side while giving the boat excellent maneuvering capabilities. For added convenience, all of the boat's mechanical components are located above deck, which means no confined space limitations during normal operations. Both propulsion drives have variable speed and reversing controls. The console is covered by an open-sided roof attachment for ease of operator access. The boat is designed to be highly mobile -- the hull design consists of two separate barges which fasten together. Each barge is comprised of several flotation compartments. The vessel will remain floating and operable while full of fuel and with any flotation tank flooded. The DSC Tender work boat length is 32', with a width of 15'-10" and a depth of 4'. The propeller diameter is 24", with two props. Two fuel tanks have a 500 gallon capacity.
Wetta said, "DSC has enjoyed a long-term relationship with this company. They employ an excellent maintenance program and are committed to quality equipment. We first supplied a 20" electric Marlin class dredge in 1994. Since then, DSC has delivered two additional dredges including an 18" electric Marlin class dredge and another 20" electric Marlin class dredge. The new work boat will complement these three dredges by tending to the needs of the dredges. The boat is designed to lift and move mooring anchors, move the discharge pipeline, transport crew members and transport supplies efficiently."
"We pride ourselves on providing customers with the best thought, design and quality. We believe DSC is the best value," concluded Wetta.
DSC, headquartered in Reserve, Louisiana, manufactures and delivers dredges to companies located worldwide.