Nauplius Workboats has launched its new DMC1450 multi-purpose workboat, built for strategic partner Royal IHC and destined for dredging operations in the Middle East.
The launch marks a major milestone for the 14.68-metre vessel, which is now afloat ahead of delivery in September. Royal IHC has sold the DMC1450 as part of a package with a large IHC Beaver dredger.
Nauplius commercial director Gysbert Boersma said the vessel had been developed as a versatile platform for demanding work in shallow and sheltered waters.
”The DMC1450 has been constructed for our strategic partner Royal IHC that has sold the vessel in one package with a large IHC Beaver dredger,” he said.
“The DMC1450 is a 14.68-metre-long, 6-metre-wide multi-purpose heavy-duty workboat, with a draft of 1.30 metres. She has been designed as a versatile platform for operations in sheltered and shallow waters, including dredging support, towing and pushing, buoy handling and the transport of fuel, goods and personnel.
“The vessel is powered by two Caterpillar marine diesel engines, each rated at 207kW, giving a total installed power of 414kW.”
For dredging work, the DMC1450 has a hydraulic deck crane rated at 410knm, with a maximum outreach of 10.1 metres, Boersma said. Hydraulic winches are provided for handling anchors and floating pipelines, while an integrated bow roller and reinforced working deck allow the vessel to undertake heavy-duty operations.
Boersma said the vessel’s compact dimensions were a deliberate feature of its design.
“One of the strengths of the DMC1450 is the combination of a relatively compact platform with substantial working capability,” he said. “An important feature is the vessel’s compact and shallow-draft configuration, which allows her to operate effectively in areas where larger workboats may have more limited access.”
The vessel has also been adapted specifically for the Middle Eastern operating environment, where high ambient and seawater temperatures can place additional demands on machinery.
A larger box-cooling system provides additional cooling capacity for the main engines and associated systems, allowing them to operate reliably in the higher temperatures.
Boersma said Nauplius was continuing to see demand for vessels of this type. The company, a regular exhibitor at Seawork, is also expanding its wider workboat business. Nauplius has recently signed a contract with Inverlussa for a 25-metre hybrid service vessel and has acquired a shipyard in the northern Netherlands, allowing it to add repair services to its newbuilding activities.
