At this year’s Seawork exhibition in Southampton, UK, Damen Shipyards Group presented an innovative new design – the Multi Cat 1908 Electric. This fully electric vessel brings zero emissions operations into a wide range of workboat activities.
The MuC 1908 E is 19.05 metres by 8.4 metres, with a deck area of 35m². It offers 7 tonnes of bollard pull and can travel at speeds of up to 7 knots. The batteries used for the vessel’s propulsion have a lifetime of ten years.
Also, the vessel can operate for up to twelve hours on a single charge, putting a day’s work comfortably within range.
With its high-quality air compressors and air tools, the MuC 1908 E is able to assist floating pipeline operations. It is also able to support trailing suction and cutter suction dredging operations, including with use of a Damen DOP dredge pump, a fully electric version of which is available to maintain the vessel’s zero emission capabilities.
Additionally, with an A-frame installed on the aft deck, the vessel can conduct plough dredging operations with a plough able to move up to 10 tonnes of material in a single sweep.
Further addition of a modular options extends the capabilities of the vessel yet further. For example, with the installation of a grabber and sweeper, the vessel is perfectly capable of conducting waste and/or oil spill recovery duties.