Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has taken delivery of a new survey craft as the latest acquisition in its Dredging Services division’s ongoing fleet replacement program.
Carl Gabriel, Executive Manager for TNPA’s Dredging Services division, said that the new vessel is replacing the South African port landlord’s existing Survey Craft, Swift, which is 32 years old and has reached the end of its operational life.
“ Although the survey craft is one of the smaller vessels in our dredging fleet, it is a critical tool for keeping our ports at the correct depths for safe navigation. We use the survey craft to conduct single beam hydrographic surveys around the ports as well as measuring the physical environment underwater for any potential impact on marine activities ,” Carl Gabriel said.
The new vessel was designed, manufactured, assembled, commissioned and delivered to TNPA’s Dredging Services division by local company, Dams Maintenance and Industrial Supplies cc, on time and within budget.
“ This was our first project for Transnet and it was sheer pleasure but also hard work coordinating the project from documentation to the manufacture and delivery according to specifications, with all statutory certification ,” Dams Operations Director, Danny Ramsaroop said.
The order was received from TNPA in November 2018 and the craft was completed five days ahead of schedule on 26 March 2019.