Letter from Allen Dupont and Ruud Ouwerkerk

I noted in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue that the new Weeks Marine trailing suction hopper dredge was designed by IHC Merwede. (BAE Systems to Build New Weeks Hopper Dredge IDR September/October 2011 pp. 27 and 34) The article states that it is “the first designed by IHC Merwede to be built in the United States.”

I managed the design construction (completed in 1981) and operation of the Eagle 1 (now the Terrapin Island). The design was done by Dredge Technology Corporation a division of IHC and the construction was done in New Orleans. I believe the Eagle 1 was the first IHC-designed hopper dredge built in the United States.

Allen Dupont
Senior Project Manager
CH2M Hill

Ruud Ouwerkerk replies:

You are absolutely correct. That news was based on a (too early) IHC press release. A few days later an amended version was issued.

IHC designed for Weeks a basic package; BAE Systems obtained a contract from Weeks to build it; BAE contracted DTC to supply additional engineering equipment and installation services.

It is the first hopper to be built to European design standards with USCG’s approval.

In addition to the Eagle DTC designed the Ouachita (now the B.E. Lindholm) and we had major parts in the construction and delivery of the Yaquina Wheeler Essayons Mermentau and Sandy Hook to name a few.

They are all about thirty years old and replacements will come.

Ruud Ouwerkerk
President
Dredge Technology Corporation