NEW WORKBOAT FOR FRENCH MINERS IN WESTERN AFRICA

A new multi-purpose type workboat eases the work of a French mining company in Senegal, operating in an artificial inland lake close to this African nation’s coast. The customized WorkBoat 94 was successfully delivered by ECT Marine recently and will offer operational support of a dredging installation. The workboat was designed and built in the Netherlands in 4 months’ time.

The multi-purpose type workboat functions as a supply and support vessel for a dredger that performs mining activities on an inland lake in Senegal. The vessel measures 9 by 4 meters, making it easily transportable by road, if needed. The workboat is equipped with a deck crane and a wooden deck to transport goods from shore to the mining installation.

Custom built for difficult conditions

ECT Marine custom built the workboat to operate in conditions with debris in the water that can negatively influence the operation of regular workboats. A propulsion system has been installed that is less affected by debris and is easily accessible for cleaning. ECT Marine’s design meets the regulations of Bureau Veritas Class Inland Navigation.

Environment-friendly and future proof design

The workboat’s propulsion is a tiltable rudder propeller developed in-house by ECTMarine and powered by a dedicated diesel driven hydraulic power pack. The workboat is designed in such a way that in later phases the propulsion can be easily converted to an electric drive with a battery package in which the same propulsion unit can be used, making it an environment-friendly and future proof design. Only the diesel engine with the diesel tanks have to be removed.

Short delivery time

The vessel has been built in Franeker, The Netherlands, where many suppliers are located. This guaranteed a very short delivery time, but also customization and flexibility.