![First steel cut for Great Lakes Dredge and Dock’s new workboats](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F210723-4-GLDD.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Conrad Shipyard of Morgan City, Louisiana, has cut the first steel for two new multi-purpose workboats ordered by marine contractor Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company (GLDD).
The Damen-designed vessels will each measure 98.92 feet (30.15 metres) in length and will be powered by three Caterpillar C32 TTA engines capable of meeting speeds of 10.2 knots. Equipped with large winches and deck cranes, the vessels will each have a maximum bollard pull of 31.75 tons (28.8 tonnes).
The workboats are scheduled for delivery in the third and fourth quarters of 2022.
The vessels will be fully compliant with US Coast Guard and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) stability requirements and will be used to support GLDD's dredging operations.