PANAMA CITY, FL – Today, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) successfully launched the R.B. WEEKS, the second trailing suction hopper dredge the shipbuilder has constructed for Weeks Marine, Inc.
The R.B. WEEKS, (ESG Hull 258) is named in honor of Richard B. Weeks, a co-founder of Weeks Marine and married to Magdalen Weeks, the namesake of the sister vessel MAGDALEN (ESG 256), built by Eastern. This new 356-foot trailing suction hopper dredge is being constructed at ESG’s Allanton Shipyard and has a hopper capacity of 8,550 cubic yards. The vessel outfitting and trials will be conducted at Eastern’s Port St. Joe Facility for an on-time delivery in 2023.
“Eastern Shipbuilding Group has enjoyed a strong partnership with Weeks Marine, Inc’s. team over multiple projects, and we are proud to build another dredge vessel that will enhance our waterways and restore our coastlines,” said Joey D’Isernia, President of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.
In nearly all respects, the R.B. WEEKS is identical to the M/V MAGDALEN delivered by ESG in 2017. The vessel includes an electrical power, propulsion, and dredge machinery package by Royal IHC, GE Tier IV engines, along with several accommodation and crew comfort upgrades.
“We are excited to see the launch of our newest trailing suction hopper dredge, the R.B. WEEKS, which will join her sister vessel in various dredging activities primarily aiding the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to maintain ports, harbors, and other waterways to ensure ship navigation is possible,” said Eric Ellefsen, President, Weeks Marine, Inc. “These two vessels have an equivalent hopper size and pumping capacity, and we look forward to utilizing the R.B. WEEKS, putting her to work deepening shipping lanes, nourishing beaches lost to erosion, and completing coastal restoration due to storm damage.”
The R.B. WEEKS trailing suction hopper dredge features the following characteristics:
| Vessel Name: | R.B. WEEKS |
| ESG Hull#: | 258 |
| Dimensions (Overall): | 356’ x 79’-6”’x 27’-3” |
| Designer: | Royal IHC |
| Main Engines: | (2) GE 16V250 MDC IMOIII/EPA Tier 4 |
| Main Propulsion: | (2) Wartsila CPP in Nozzles |
| Reduction Gears: | (4) Simens (Flender) |
| Bow Thruster: | (1) Wartsila Fixed Pitch Tunnel Unit |
| Main Generators: | (2) Hyundai |
| Auxiliary Generator: | (1) GE 6L250 MDC IMOIII/EPA Tier 4 / Hyundai |
| Emergency Generator: | (1) Caterpillar C18 IMOII/EPA Tier 3 |
| Classification: | Lloyd’s Register, X100A1 Hopper Dredger, XLMC, UMS |
| Flag & Regulatory: | USA, USCG |
| Hopper Capacity: | 8,550 yd³ (6540m3) |
| Accommodations: | 26 Person |
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About Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. (ESG) is a leading shipbuilder with operations on the Florida Gulf Coast. ESG is the largest private sector employer in Bay County and is a 2017 recipient of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Small Business of the Year award. They build world class vessels for national defense and commercial clients, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutters. With three shipyards and a portfolio of over 350 vessels, ESG is known as one of the most diverse vessel construction companies. www.easternshipbuilding.com
About Weeks Marine, Inc.
Established in 1919, Weeks Marine, Inc. is one of the largest marine, dredging and tunneling contractors in North America and has successfully completed projects throughout North and South America, from inland waterways to off-shore sites in the Pacific and the Atlantic. Weeks Marine has three key divisions – Construction, Dredging and Marine Services – which are bolstered by three major subsidiaries, Healy Tibbitts Builders, Inc., McNally International, Inc. and North American Aggregates.
Weeks Marine’s vast reach and deep expertise, combined with the sheer size and diversity of its equipment fleet, enables the company to serve as a one-stop shop for clients in both the private and governmental sectors, providing exceptional customer service, environmental sensitivity, operational efficiency and a long-standing commitment to safety. Weeks Marine is headquartered in Cranford, New Jersey, and manages a network of regional offices in Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, Guam, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
Learn more at www.weeksmarine.com. Connect with Weeks Marine on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
