Trailing suction hopper dredger ‘HAM 316’ was docked at Damen Shiprepair Van Brink Rotterdam in March 2016 for repairs and maintenance.

Major tasks included work on the hopper. For this to be carried out, ‘HAM 316’ needed to be docked on raised dock-blocks so the bottom doors could be removed for servicing.

Rudder overhaul

Other work to ‘HAM 316’ included the overhaul of both the vessel’s rudders. These were removed from the vessel and taken to Damen Shiprepair Van Brink Rotterdam’s workshop for checking before reinstallation. The bow thruster was also dismantled and a new unit supplied by the owner, Van Oord, was fitted.

While the vessel was in drydock, her hull was hydro-blasted and new antifouling was applied.

Good cooperation

“The work on the hopper was very involved,” explained Project Manager at Damen Shiprepair Van Brink Rotterdam Peter Dekker. “Careful and detailed planning was required for the tasks on the hopper to be successful as the jobs were located above each other.”

Personnel at Damen Shiprepair Van Brink Rotterdam worked around the clock in order to complete the project on time.

Good cooperation between the ship’s crew and yard personnel also helped the schedule to be kept.

Vessel particulars

The 128-metre long ‘HAM 316’ has a hopper capacity of 9,535m³.